With 50 days left till Showdown, CSU way behind Southern rival

The Rocky Mountain Showdown is consistently one of the competitive match-ups in the country. In fact, the last six showdowns have been decided by 25 points total with the biggest blowout being CU’s 42-35 victory in 2003.

If CSU wants to continue that trend or to change it in their favor a lot has to change between now and August 31 for the Rams to get there.

CSU comes into the season with a new coach, a new quarterback and a new philosophy. Philosophies are well and good, but victories are what matters in sports. Even though CU didn’t have a great season by any stretch last year, their 6-7 record and bowl appearance is looked upon with envy by Rams fans who went through a 3-9 campaign.

Not only will Steve Fairchild be coaching in his first game as a head coach on any level, he will facing off against Dan Hawkins. Needless to say it is put up or shut up time for Coach Hawk.

Entering his third season at the helm for Buffaloes, Hawkins has a losing record in both his two seasons and his first two years have been marred by a loss to FCS Montana State at home, numerous arrests of players and recruits, and an infamous sound bite that included the words, “play intramurals, brotha.” All in all, not what Coach Hawk left the smurf turf of Boise for.

Despite of all the pitfalls of the last two seasons, there are signs that CU is coming out of their rebuilding. The third season is the one where coaches usually sink or swim and all indications are that Hawkins looks like he may swim. In his previous two head coaching jobs, Willamette State and Boise State, Hawkins won a conference title in his third season.

While no one would expect a Big XII title from CU this season, the Buffs are definitely going in the right direction. Sixty miles away in Fort Collins, however, things may continue to be bad before they get better.

The most likely starter at quarterback for the Rams at quarterback is former walk-on Billy Farris. While Farris looked decent in limited action over the last two seasons, it is a stretch to say he will be a strength for the Rams this season, let alone the first game.

On the opposite sideline from Farris will be CU’s Cody Hawkins, who is looking to become the first sophomore quarterback to win two Rocky Mountain Showdowns since the annual rivalry was renewed in 1995.

Another factor working against the Rams will be the debut of two stud freshman running backs in Darrell Scott and Ray Polk. Scott was the no.1 running back recruit in the nation, while Polk has impressed teammates during summer workouts and may make it onto the field before Scott.

In 50 days, CSU will take on CU at Invesco Field. But that 50 days might not be enough to close the gap between the two teams.