Setting the Stage: Boise State

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Sep 27

5:30 PM

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vs Washington State

Oct 3

8:30 PM

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at San Diego State

Oct 10

7:00 PM

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5:00 PM

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vs Hawai'i

Oct 25

5:30 PM

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at Wyoming

Colorado State (4-7, 3-4) vs. No. 20 Boise State (10-1, 7-0)
Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

GAME LINKS

Rams Face Ranked Team on Senior Day

Up to the Challenge

Curtis Weaver has been good ever since he arrived at Boise State.

The junior defensive end, who is a Bednarik Award semifinalist, is a two-time All-Mountain West first-team pick, leads the Broncos in sacks with 13.5 this season and is the conference's career leader in the category with 34.

In a nutshell, he's a handful.

"You have to know where he is," CSU head coach Mike Bobo said. "They'll play him as a 4i (inside the tackle), they'll line him up at end, he does a great job of dropping in coverage; he'll cover tight ends down field. He's just slippery when he rushes the passer. Sometimes it's power-speed, and sometimes he's slippery through there and gets a sack. You have to know where he is. You don't get as many sacks as he's had and be as productive as he has if you're not a good football player. He's not just a defensive end, he can do it all. He can drop in coverage, they stand him up. They do a lot of things with him."

Colorado State's offensive line is well aware of the chaos he can create (16.5 tackles for loss), and they all know they'll have to play a part in trying to protect Patrick O'Brien.

For one, junior tackle T.J. Storment is looking forward to his matchups.

"I think he's a really good player, and I'm looking forward to going up against him," Storment said. "I live for these days. This is my favorite matchup I've had all year. He's a great player, and I can't wait to compete against him.

"He really uses his hands well, and he's got explosive speed. I also know I'm a good player, so I know I'm looking forward to going up against him. It's a chance to go up against a really good player, and I'm looking forward to executing."

The Memories

For the 13 players who will appear in a Colorado State uniform for the final time, the goal this week is not to get caught up in all of it until after the game.

That's not always easy, as some will be fighting back tears when they see friends and family on the field prior to kickoff. Even now, the reminiscing has already begun. As safety Jamal Hicks admitted, not a lot of it deals with what happened on the field.

"It's just the people I met, the little things," he said. "Hanging out and not even doing football. I remember bonding with my teammates, playing the games, having fun, the crazy stuff we did off the field. That's probably what I'm going to remember most."

For now, he said he and the rest of the group are focused on trying to close out their games with what would become their most fond memory on the field.

"It's going to hit me Friday after the game. I'm going to be devastated," Hicks said. "Right now, it's whatever. I'm excited for this. We want to shock the world."

Weather Or Not

The heavy snowfall at the beginning of the week didn't create many hiccups when it comes to preparation. Bobo was worried about practices, but all of the workouts have happened without delay.

On Tuesday, the team sent out a bus around town to pick up around 20 players who could not get cars out of driveways or parking lots.

As for Friday's game day experience, CSU's senior associate athletic director for facilities and event management has every expectation the stadium and area will be ready for fans.

By Wednesday morning, parking lots and sidewalks were cleared and tailgate areas ready. The Ram Tailgate has been moved from the grassy island to the parking lot nearby, and tents were moved to the front of Hughes Way.

On Wednesday, facilities had shifts of 100 people clearing snow from stairwells and as much of the seating areas as possible.

"This is a monumental storm, a historical storm. We've never dealt with this much snow this part of November," said Max, who has been with the university for four decades. "It's a major challenge, but we have a good plan.

"Wednesday was the day most of the stuff was getting done, because we hope to not have to interfere with people's Thanksgiving Day."

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Jamal Hicks

Patrick O'Brien

T.J. Storment

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