Jim McElwain was brought in to turn the Colorado State Rams and after going just 4-8 in his first year, the Rams bounced back with a solid 8-6 last year that ended with a miracle comeback over Washington State in the New Mexico Bowl. Now he has 12 starters back and the 3rd best recruiting class in the MWC, which should put this team back in the post-season this year. Preview & schedule are below.
The Rams put up 36.2 ppg last year, but matching that number will be tough as they have to rebuild the OL after losing 4 of 5 starters, while also losing Kapri Bibbs, who ran for 1741 yards and 31 TDs last year. Redshirt freshman Byrce Peters looks to take over the ball carrying duties, while backing him up will be another freshman in Deron Thompson, who ran the 3rd fastest indoor 100 meters (10.4). Very inexperienced group but there is talent there. The QB spot has no such inexperience, as Garret Grayson returns after throwing for 3696 yards with 23 TDs and 11 INTs last year. He should have a solid year again with 5 of the top 6 pass catchers back from last year, including Rashard Higgins, Joe Hansley and Kivon Cartwright, who combined for 147 receptions, 1912 yards and 13 TDs last year. An experienced and deep group of WRs. The defense returns 7 starters from a group that struggled last year, allowing 29.8 ppg. They should be much better this year, especially in the middle, where the LB corps returns seniors Max Morgan and Aaron Davis, who combined for 254 tackles, 9 TFL and 9 PBUs last year. The secondary should also be good with Bernard Blake and DeAndre Elliot back, after the two combined for 22 PBUs last year, while also back is Trent Mathews, who led the team in INTs with 5. The DL has just 1 starter back, but all 4 starters along the line are juniors and do have experience.
Jim McElwain is doing a fine job here at Colorado State and they will be even better once he starts getting more of his recruits in here. The OL and RB spot are a weakness of the offense, but Grayson should have another solid year throwing to a talented and deep corps of WRs. On defense the Rams have 28 lettermen back and should improve greatly on the 36.2 ppg they allowed last year. They do face Boise State and Nevada on the road, but do get Utah State and Wyoming at home, plus have a rather easy non-conference slate that includes a neutral site game vs Colorado, home dates vs UC Davis and a road game vs Boston College. This team should at least match last year’s 8 win total, while fighting Utah State for 2nd in the Mountain division. KEY TREND: 1-9 ATS before playing San Diego State.
2014 Colorado State Football Schedule
Aug. 30 Colorado (Denver)
Sep. 6 at Boise State
Sep. 13 UC Davis
Sep. 20 OPEN DATE
Sep. 27 at Boston College
Oct. 4 Tulsa
Oct. 11 at Nevada
Oct. 18 Utah State
Oct. 25 Wyoming
Nov. 1 at San Jose State
Nov. 8 Hawaii
Nov. 15 OPEN DATE
Nov. 22 New Mexico
Nov. 29 at Air Force
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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