7 p.m. Friday
Site: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
TV: FS1
Radio: 102.3 FM, 105.5 FM
Parking
3 p.m.: Parking lots open.
Stadium lots are reserved primarily for CU and CSU season-ticket holders with presold permits. A limited number of additional spaces will be available for $25.
Gate information
5 p.m.: Gates 2 and 7 open for United Club and Suite ticket holders.
5:30 p.m.: All gates open.
Student gates: Students must enter through designated gates. CU students enter through Gate 9; CSU students enter through Gate 5.
Security
Bags: Each fan may carry one clear bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear freezer bag.
Purses: Must be no larger than 6½ by 4½ inches.
The matchup
Denver Post beat writers Tom Kensler, who covers CU, and Terry Frei, who covers CSU, break down Friday night’s Rocky Mountain Showdown:
WHEN CU RUNS THE BALL
Colorado has depth at tailback, and the Buffs hope sophomore Michael Adkins II becomes a breakaway threat. In an effort to become more explosive, CU promoted Adkins (5.2 yards per attempt in 2013) to the No. 1 unit ahead of Christian Powell, a two-year starter. Adkins (5-foot-10, 195 pounds) has the potential to become a featured back. However, the Buffs netted just 109 rushing yards on 37 carries against CSU last year, and the Rams’ active linebackers figure to make Adkins work for his yards once again.
— Edge: Even
WHEN CU PASSES THE BALL
A year ago, the Showdown became the Paul Richardson Show, with the Colorado receiver catching 10 passes for 208 yards, including touchdowns of 82 and 75 yards when he was wide open. CSU coach Jim McElwain joked that his Rams somehow lost track of the fastest man in Colorado. Richardson is now playing for the Seattle Seahawks, but junior Nelson Spruce (eight catches last year vs. CSU) is back, and the additions of Bryce Bobo, Shay Fields and other athletic freshmen provide sophomore QB Sefo Liufau more options. A priority for CSU has been to tighten up its porous pass defense of a season ago, but the Rams are sticking with the same secondary while saying experience and additional depth will help cure its ills.
— Edge: Colorado
WHEN CSU RUNS THE BALL
This might be the key to this game … and to the Rams’ season. CSU has only one returning offensive line starter, tackle Ty Sambrailo, and how the rebuilt group comes together is the team’s most pressing question. CSU is hoping transfer Dee Hart shows why he was one of the highest-regarded recruits at the position when he landed at Alabama. Although he was nursing an ankle injury last week, look for him and JC transfer Trey Jarrells to get major carries. Chidera Uzo-Diribe was the only CU defensive line starter to use up his eligibility, but CU moved senior Juda Parker from DE to DT and another returnee, junior DE Tyler Hennington, suffered a knee injury last week. So while the Buffs are very experienced in the middle of the D-line, they have youth on the outside at DE.
— Edge: Colorado State
WHEN CSU PASSES THE BALL
See above, in this sense: Garrett Grayson is fast for a quarterback, but if he’s harried he can try to do too much and make mistakes. Sophomore Rashard Higgins was the leading receiver a year ago, and the Rams believe they have added some big-play receivers to their arsenal. If H-back Kivon Cartwright (ankle) isn’t able to play, that will be a problem. Colorado will do what it can to pressure the inexperienced CSU offensive line and force Grayson into mistakes.
— Edge: Colorado State
SPECIAL TEAMS
Both teams returned dependable place-kickers and punters, so any advantage could come down to a battle of new and exciting kickoff returners: Colorado redshirt freshman Phillip Lindsay and CSU true freshman Deionte Gaines.
— Edge:Even
PREDICTIONS
Terry Frei: Colorado State, 37-27
Tom Kensler: Colorado, 35-28