CSJ’s 2018 Week 0 Game Preview: Hawai’i at Colorado State

Hawai’i at Colorado State
When: Saturday, August 25, 5:30 PM MDT
Where: Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO
TV/Streaming Coverage: CBS Sports Network, [FuboTV], CBS Sports App

Hawai’i : CSJ’s 2018 Preview Capsule

Hawai’i heads to Colorado as the islands prepare for Hurricane Lane, which is expected to be a category four or five storm. It won’t be easy to play, with many of the Rainbow Warriors players’ families back home dealing with what could be a horrible storm.

Coach Nick Rolovich done a very nice job, going 7-7 in 2016 with a Hawai’i Bowl win. Last year’s 3-9 record was a step back, but he looks to be on solid footing as he attempts to return the team to being competitive in the Mountain West.

Key Player: WR John Urusa is coming off a mid-season injury in 2017. But before the injury in mid-October, he was among the nation’s leaders in receptions. With Hawai’i moving back to the run-and-shoot type of offense, he will need to be a key part of the Warriors’ offense.

Daily Fantasy Bonus Baby: QB Cole McDonald is in charge of the return to the run and shoot offense in 2018. He threw for just five completions last year but did have a touchdown but with the run and shoot, he should see some high numbers this year.

Colorado State : CSJ’s 2018 Preview Capsule

Ram head coach Mike Bobo just got out of the hospital on Thursday, after a nearly-two week stint following an examination for numbness in his feet. For a while, it seemed he would not be ready to coach this game, but he’s doing better and should be on the sidelines Saturday.

Colorado State is coming off three straight 7-6 (5-3) seasons under Bobo, the former Georgia offensive coordinator. If anything, that has been viewed by many as underachievement, considering the school’s investment into the program, and some of the talent that has come out of CSU in recent years. Bobo is 15-9 in Mountain West play, and Colorado State has won all four of its meetings with the Warriors as conference foes.

Key Player: QB K.J. Carta-Samuels, who is a graduate transfer from Washington, will look to replace the graduated Nick Stevens. He hopes to continue the streak of the Rams offense being ranked among the nation’s top 30 the past two seasons and four times in the past five years. He completed 27-of-47 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns in 25 career appearances over three seasons with the Huskies.

Daily Fantasy Bonus Baby: Carta-Samuals seems like the best play given Colorado State’s home field advantage and playing what seems to be a very favorable defensive match-up.

Fearless Prediction: Given Colorado State is at home and that Hawai’i’s players may not have their heads fully in the game, look for the Rams to roll in this game. Hawai’i may keep it close for a little while but look for a solid CSU defense help the Rams pull away late. Colorado State 38, Hawai’i 21.