Keys to winning: What must Jay Norvell, Colorado State football do to beat old foe Nevada?
Jay Norvell has said he doesn't want to hear the "bowl" word around the Colorado State football facility.
He doesn't want his team trying to work ahead and lose focus on the task at hand, but they all know the math. Norvell has termed the last three games of the season one-week "playoff games."
The intent is more to focus on the detail needed each week, but the numbers are obvious, too. The Rams must win out to make a bowl game.
It started with a win over San Diego State last week. Next up is Norvell's former team, Nevada. The Rams host the Wolf Pack at 1 p.m. Saturday at Canvas Stadium.
Here are keys to the game for CSU.
Play a full game
Consistency, or rather a lack of it, has been the theme of the season. There will be stretches where CSU's offense is explosive and then when it is dull. The defense can be frightening in its ferocity and then meek.
Often, those sides have traded off to keep CSU (4-6, 2-4 Mountain West) from fully firing. Within games, the Rams will play a good quarter here, a poor quarter there.
It's hard to argue that the team has put together a full, cohesive, consistent and well-played game. They're good in spurts. Sure, there will be dips within a game, but CSU must learn to get out of those quickly.
On paper, this is a chance for CSU to put together a full 60-minute performance in a game the Rams must win.
Air Raid 'em
Nevada (2-8, 2-4 MW) is 124th in FBS in total defense (448 yards allowed per game). The Wolf Pack are 116th in passing defense (264 yards per game). They're 114th in scoring defense (33 points per game).
Nevada did shut out San Diego State, but overall, it's been a porous defense.
As mentioned earlier, CSU's offense has been inconsistent, but the Rams still have some good offensive numbers. CSU is 10th in the nation in passing yards per game and last week freshman Justin Marshall brought the much-needed run-game spark.
QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, a former Nevada commit, made his first career start last year in Reno. He was mostly poor but led the Rams on a game-winning drive at the end. Since he took over the top spot this season, he's been up-and-down.
More: Will there be more bad blood between Nevada, Jay Norvell this year?
He's set CSU's freshman passing record and is top-10 all-time in a single season passing for the program, but he's also thrown 14 interceptions. His completion rate has dropped each of the past three weeks.
There were times last week where Fowler-Nicolosi had open receivers but simply missed them on what could have been big pass plays. Fowler-Nicolosi and the offense need to find rhythm early and put up big numbers.
Mohamed Kamara's sack chase
The defense and Mohamed Kamara set the tone last week in a win over San Diego State.
They were dominant in the first half. Kamara had a sack for a safety to open the scoring and San Diego State had just 55 first-half yards. The Aztecs got back in the game in the second half, but the offense was responsible for some of that.
The defense has been below expectations this season but can still be ferocious and has been good at takeaways.
It all starts with Kamara. He has 11.5 sacks this season, which is fifth-most in program history (16 is No. 1). He has 29 career sacks and is within reach of Clark Haggans for most all-time at CSU with 33.
Nevada redshirt freshman quarterback AJ Bianco is expected to make his second career start. He was 13-for-25 for 161 yards, two touchdowns, an interception and 74 rush yards last week. Kamara and company will look to make him uncomfortable.
If Kamara has multiple sacks and/or the Rams win the turnover battle, CSU should be in a winning position.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What must Norvell, Colorado State football do to beat old foe Nevada?
