Kickoff: 5:00 PM MT (7:00 PM ET)
Venue: Rex Stadium, Alamosa, Colorado (Capacity: ~6,000)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / RMAC Network / Local Radio
Weather Forecast (Alamosa, CO)
Temperature: ~77°F (25°C) at kickoff, dropping into the mid-60s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Clear skies, light winds (4–6 mph)
Impact: Ideal football weather; no disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Western Colorado (2–0, ranked #5 D2Football.com / #7 AFCA):
QB Drew Nash – Healthy; All-American, top 10 nationally in points responsible for.
RB rotation – Healthy; averaging 180+ rushing yards per game.
WR corps – Healthy; balanced production across multiple targets.
Defense – Healthy; ranked top 20 nationally in tackles for loss.
Adams State (0–2, RMAC):
QB Tyson Smith (Fr.) – Healthy; 2 TDs, 3 INTs, 45% completions, sacked 7 times.
RB Ahmare Merrida – Healthy; averaging 91.5 YPG, including a 134-yard game vs. UT Permian Basin.
WR corps – Healthy, but limited production.
LB Mafileo Tupou – Healthy; team’s leading tackler (19 total, 14 solo).
Key Player Matchups
QB Drew Nash (WCU) vs. ASU Secondary
Nash is one of the most efficient QBs in DII; Adams State has struggled against the pass.
RB Ahmare Merrida (ASU) vs. WCU Front Seven
Merrida is ASU’s offensive engine; Western’s defense is top 20 nationally in run defense metrics.
WCU Offensive Line vs. ASU Pass Rush
Protecting Nash will be key; ASU has shown flashes of pressure but lacks consistency.
LB Clark Griffin (WCU) vs. ASU QB Tyson Smith
Griffin, the NCAA active leader in tackles, will look to disrupt a freshman QB still adjusting to RMAC speed.
Recent Team Form
Western Colorado Mountaineers (2–0, RMAC)
9/6: W 38–13 @ Midwestern State
8/28: W 45–28 vs. West Texas A&M
Trend: Offense averaging 41.5 PPG; defense allowing 20.5 PPG.
Adams State Grizzlies (0–2, RMAC)
9/6: L 45–14 vs. UT Permian Basin (#7 nationally)
8/30: L 39–21 @ Western New Mexico
Trend: Offense averaging 17.5 PPG; defense allowing 42.0 PPG.
Series History – The Colorado Classic
All-time series: Western Colorado leads 43–34.
Rivalry began in 1934.
Adams State once won 12 straight (2002–2013).
Western Colorado has won the last 4 meetings, including a 49–14 victory in 2024.
This is the 78th edition of the Colorado Classic.
Betting Trends
Western Colorado:
5–0 SU in last 5 games.
4–1 ATS in last 5.
Overs hit in 3 of last 5.
Adams State:
1–9 SU in last 10 games.
2–8 ATS in last 10.
Overs hit in 7 of last 10.
Head-to-Head: Western has covered in 4 straight meetings.
Historical Betting Results
Western Colorado: Profitable ATS as a road favorite; unders common when defense dominates.
Adams State: Struggles ATS in RMAC play; overs frequent due to defensive lapses.
RMAC Trends: Ranked road favorites cover ~62% of the time in September conference games.
Game Odds
Western Colorado Mountaineers – 24
Adams State Grizzlies 58.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
