The Colorado State Rams have plenty of reason to feel that they can contend for the Mountain Division championship in the Mountain West Conference. They seem to have the right coach in place, and they’re set up well in terms of the quarterback spot. They have some nice pieces to work with, and their competition is beatable.
Strengths
The Rams have a very solid coach, Jim McElwain, who worked as offensive coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban before making the move to a head coaching position in Fort Collins, Colorado. McElwain has steadily improved the program since he arrived in the Rocky Mountains. He feels comfortable where he is, and the ability to win a bowl game last season shows that he has Colorado State on the right track.
McElwain’s quality as an offensive coach is what has specifically helped Colorado State to improve. The Rams have a quarterback, Garrett Grayson, who fueled the team’s offensive surge last season. He’s back as a second-year starter and a senior. That combination of having a year under the current head coach while also being a senior leader should make Grayson very comfortable in the saddle. Colorado State has experienced receivers and should be able to lead with its passing game. The Rams can then set up the running game when teams expect them to pass.
On defense, Colorado State’s linebackers are generally regarded as the best of the group. If they can do reasonably well as pass rushers and in short-coverage situations, the Rams’ defense can withstand various challenges.
Weaknesses
The Rams are suspect on defense because they will be replacing all three starters in their 3-4 defense. Their defensive line is going to be tested during the season, and since the Rams struggled to begin with on defense in 2013, the process of trying to get better in 2014 will not be an easy one. The linebackers, mentioned as a strength, are going to be stretched thin in their ability to handle both pass-rush and coverage assignments. The defensive line needs to be the primary source of a pass rush, and the secondary has to be the primary source of coverage. These units are not proven and reliable, so anything good the linebackers can do might not amount to much in the end. Other offenses enjoyed a lot of success against Colorado State last season. New faces on the defensive front and returning starters in the secondary both have to take big leaps forward if this team is going to be all it can be when the regular season begins.
Schedule
The Rams start with a game against Colorado, one they should win but didn’t win last season. That could set the tone for everything this team hopes to accomplish, because the very next week, a huge Mountain Division game looms at Boise State. If Colorado State goes 0-2 to start, the season could become a disaster. If it goes 1-1, it’s okay. If the win is against Boise State, the team can definitely expect to be in the hunt for the Mountain Division title, since it hosts the other main competitor in that race, Utah State. The back end of the schedule is very favorable.
Outlook
The Rams will split the first two games, winning against Colorado but losing at Boise State. The Mountain Division title won’t happen, but the second half of the season won’t provide enough obstacles for this team on the way to an eight-win season. Take the over.
Pick: Over 7 at -115
