College Football Preview: Colorado State

Colorado State Rams

2015 Results: 7-6 (5-4, 5th in Mountain)

Lost to Nevada in Arizona Bowl

Returning Starters: 6 OFF, 4 DEF, 2 SP

2016 Schedule

September

2nd Colorado (Denver)

10th TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO

17th NORTHERN COLORADO
24th at Minnesota

October

1st WYOMING

8th UTAH STATE

15th at Boise State

22nd at UNLV

November

5th FRESNO STATE

12th at Air Force

19th NEW MEXICO

26th at San Diego State

After a rough start last year, Colorado State rallied back to win it's final four games to reach it's third straight bowl game. With success often times comes loss. The Rams' all-time leading receiver Rashard Higgins skipped his senior year for the NFL. Before this season even starts, fans are already braced for another loss that is coming. Hughes Stadium, the home for the Rams since 1968, will see its final season. Next year, the Rams will be able to leave their dorm and walk to games on Saturdays rather than taking a three mile bus ride they have grown use to.

The offense lost quite a bit, however, it seems to be the unit that is up for the challenge of the upcoming season. The quarterback race is open despite junior Nick Stevens being preseason All-MWC second team. Graduate transfer Faton Bauta (Georgia) followed former offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to the mountains. True freshman Collin Hill enrolled early to get in shape for the elevation that makes playing at CSU all the more tougher. Bobo will be going running back by committee. Former Purdue tailback Dalyn Dawkins returns as the leading rusher from a year ago. Dawkins ran for 867 yards as a sophomore, but will be sharing time. The Rams lost their top two receivers. Newcomers will be relied upon heavily in the coming year. The offensive line has four starters returning.

The defense will be the story of how the Rams' season goes. With only four starters returning, it is already being called a rebuilding year. Linebacker Kevin Davis returns as last years leading tackler (101) and he also led the team in tackles for loss (14). His running mate will be fellow senior Deonte Clyburn. The linebackers will be the strongest unit on this defense. Up front, the Rams lost everyone. No one returns for the defensive line, and only one in the secondary. The secondary is so thin, wide out Jordon Vaden has been moved to cornerback for the upcoming season. 

Player to Watch: Nick Stevens

Stevens isn't a certain bet to win the starting job, but he will more than likely. He is the second best quarterback in the conference behind Brett Rypien from Boise State. Stevens threw for 2,679 yards as a sophomore and 21 TDs. The catch? He lost his two leading targets. What Stevens needs to do is adjust to the competition while finding out how to play without Higgins and Joe Hansley. 

If you only watch them once, watch:

11/19 New Mexico

After a long season, the contest against New Mexico will be the last that Hughes Stadium will see. 

What to Expect

The Rams will have an offense that is middle of the pack, or better, depending on who calls the signals. If it is Stevens, he will have to adjust to his new surrounding partners. However, it is hard to believe that Bobo would accept a grad transfer and not expect to play him. The defense is to inexperienced to carry this team. For the Rams to have success, the defense must step up and fast.

Prediction

4-8 (2-6, MWC)

-Dug

@chansm1th