BYU football game day

BYU (7-1, 3-1) at CSU (4-4, 2-2)

Today, 4 p.m. MDT — Hughes Stadium (34,400) — FieldTurf — Fort Collins, Colo. Partly cloudy today. 71 degrees

TV: The mtn. — Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM — Live game blog: deseretnews.com/blogs

THE STAKES

For BYU ... The Cougars are looking to stay in the conference championship race and maintain their No. 17 ranking. Their offense got back on track last week against UNLV. Can the defense turn things around against CSU?

For CSU ... The Rams need two victories in their final four games to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2005. An upset of BYU would be a big deal for first-year CSU coach Steve Fairchild.

THE TRENDS

For BYU ... The Cougars have won four consecutive games against CSU. They lead the all-time series, 35-27-3.

For CSU ... The Rams have lost five straight games to ranked teams at home.

THE EDGE

BYU will win if ... the offense picks up where it left off last week and the defense can limit the Rams' passing attack.

CSU will win if ... quarterback Billy Farris can victimize the Cougar secondary and sustain long scoring drives while forcing BYU's offense to turn the ball over.

INJURY REPORT

For BYU: BYU safety David Tafuna (shoulder) is questionable. Defensive lineman Russell Tialavea (bruised leg), who was sidelined last week, is expected to play today.

For CSU: Strong safety Mike Pagnotta, the Rams' second-leading tackler, has suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Safety Klint Kubiak (ankle sprain) is expected to play after sitting out the last three games. Linebacker Curtis Cornelson is questionable after sustaining a concussion two weeks ago.

PLAYER TO WATCH

KORY SPERRY, tight end. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound senior has caught 30 passes for 371 yards and five touchdowns. Three of those TDs came last week in a victory over San Diego State.

KEY MATCHUP

BYU'S DEFENSE VS. CSU'S OFFENSE. The Cougars have yielded 67 points and 873 yards in their last two outings. The Rams are improving offensively and will test BYU's secondary. CSU ranks No. 2 in the MWC in passing offense, averaging 247 yards per game through the air.