Facing a Pac-12 foe to open the season is nothing new to the Colorado State football team.
Usually, the Rams open against Colorado. This year, however, it's Oregon State on the docket before the Rocky Mountain Showdown, and CSU head coach Mike Bobo believes that could help his team against its in-state rival.
CSU opens its season on Aug. 26 against Oregon State in Fort Collins. Six days later, the Rams and Buffs will square off at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver.
"Not every player on a Power 5 (conference team) is bigger and stronger, but they have more depth - and sometimes you're not used to the bigger guys and they might be a little faster and they're going to require you to strain a little bit more than in practice," Bobo said.