By Jake Levin
This week’s featured games include Colorado Mines at CSU Pueblo and Colorado at Texas Tech.
Colorado Mines is still in contention for the Division II playoffs and the RMAC title, but with a loss, they will be eliminated from contention and most likely eliminated from the Division II playoffs. Over the last two years, Colorado Mines was a Division II runner-up, and their season could end in early November. If CSU Pueblo wins, they can clinch at least a share of the RMAC title.
CSU Pueblo leads the series 19-15, with Colorado Mines winning the last five. CSU Pueblo is atop the RMAC with a 7-0 conference record, and Colorado Mines is fourth in the RMAC with a 5-2 conference record.
CSU Pueblo leads the RMAC in scoring offense with an average of 43.7 points per game and in total offense with an average of 496.8 yards per game. Colorado Mines is third in the RMAC in scoring an average of 37.2 points per game and second in the RMAC in total offense with an average of 476.9 yards per game.
CSU Pueblo quarterback Roman Fuller has passed for 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. Reggie Retzlaff is the RMAC receiving leaders with 52 receptions for 971 yards and ten touchdowns. Howard Russell V is the RMAC leading rusher with 131 rushes for 1045 yards and ten touchdowns.
For Colorado Mines, Evan Foster is the leading passer in the RMAC, scoring 2,320 yards and 21 touchdowns. They also have the second and third-best receivers in the RMAC. Flynn Schiele is second with 1032 yards and ten touchdowns, and Max McLeod is third with 929 yards and 10 touchdowns.
With an Iowa State and Kansas State loss last week, Colorado is still alive for a Big 12 title. Colorado must beat Texas Tech in Lubbock to stay in the hunt for a Big 12 title. Colorado is in the Big 12 title race they just can’t get ahead of themselves, and they need to take it one game at a time.
The Rams are 6-3 and idle this week as they prepare to face their rival Wyoming in Fort Collins on November 15.
Colorado Mesa at South Dakota Mines, 12 p.m. (RMAC Net) – Colorado Mesa aims to extend its winning streak to seven games against South Dakota Mines. With the victory and the loss of Western Colorado, Colorado Mesa and Western Colorado are tied for second place in the RMAC conference, with 6-1 conference records. Colorado Mesa will likely be in the playoffs if it wins its final two games. Through nine games, running back Brandon Belgrave is fourth in the RMAC in rushing with 110 attempts for 628 yards and four touchdowns, and he averages 5.7 yards per carry.
Eastern Washington at Northern Colorado, 12 p.m. (ESPN+) – Northern Colorado looks to snap its two-game losing streak as it plays Eastern Washington. Northern Colorado averages 11.7 points per game, 123th in the FCS. Eastern Washington leads the series 15-1. Northern Colorado has also struggled in the passing game, with only 126.8 yards per game, which is 119 in the FCS. Regarding statistics, Northern Colorado is near the bottom of the FCS.
New Mexico Highlands at Fort Lewis, 12 p.m. (RMAC Net) – After snapping a 38-game losing streak in RMAC play, the Skyhawks look to get another win in RMAC play. They will avoid the RMAC basement with a win over New Mexico Highlands after they defeated Adams State last week because Fort Lewis owns the tiebreaker. New Mexico Highlands leads the series 33-19, and Fort Lewis has lost the last four meetings.
Adams State at Black Hills State, 1 p.m. (RMAC Net) – Adams State is looking to snap a 14-game losing streak against Black Hills State; the Grizzlies also need to win both of their last two games to avoid finishing the season in last place in the RMAC conference. Their last win was a 21-14 defeat of New Mexico Highlands on September 30, 2023. They will be looking for a win or two this season as they finish the season against two schools from South Dakota, as South Dakota Mines will travel to Alamosa next week. Adams State and Black Hills State have each won 5 meetings in the series, with Black Hills State winning the last three.
Chadron State at Western Colorado, 1 p.m. (RMAC Net) – After falling to CSU Pueblo last week, Western Colorado looks to rebound with a win against Chadron State. With the loss last week, Western Colorado is now tied for second place in the RMAC with Colorado Mesa at 6-1, and it is still in a great position to make it to the Division II playoffs. Drew Nash is second in the RMAC with an average of 235.4 passing yards per game and a 149.2 quarterback efficiency. Western Colorado has an offense that is second in the RMAC in scoring with 37.9 points per game.
Fresno State at Air Force, 7:45 p.m. (FS1) – Air Force is looking to snap its seven-game losing streak against Fresno State. Air Force has the worst scoring offense in the FBS at only 13.8 points per game. Air Force leads the series 7-3 and has won the last three meetings. The Air Force defense was great in the last game. They held the Army to 207 yards rushing, and the Army has the best ground game in the country.
