Colorado State Rams Football Preview 2013 [AUDIO]

The Colorado State Rams finished at 4-8 (3-5 MWC) in 2012 with first-year head coach Jim McElwain. However, they were able to hold off in-state rival Colorado and look to build off the season finale win over New Mexico.

Colorado State uses multiple formations on the offensive side of the ball.  Quarterbacks Garrett Grayson and Connor Smith will compete for the starting spot.  Grayson (47 of 85, 7 TD’s, 3 INT’s) started most of the Ram’s games last season, but Smith (80 of 126, 6 TD’s, 6 INT’s) started the last 4 games on the schedule.   It will be interesting to see who wins this QB battle during fall camp or if the Rams decide to use both QB’s this season.

The Rams have plenty of depth at running back as sophomore Donnell Alexander returns after leading the team in rushing last season.  Alexander ran the ball for 587 yards on 117 carries and 4 TD’s.  Look for senior Chris Nwoke to add production this season.  He ended the year with 570 yards on 116 carries and 2 TD’s.  Alexander and Nwoke ranked 11^th and 12^th in the conference in rushing last season.  Also, expect sophomore Tommey Morris (42 carries, 211 yards, 2TD’s) to get a share of the work load at running back in 2013.

Although the Rams lose WR Marquise Law, junior wide-out Charles Lovett will return at that position.  Lovett led the team in receiving with 428 yards on 35 catches with 2 touchdowns.  Senior Crockett Gilmore and junior Kivon Cartwright return at the tight-end position.  Cartwright caught 26 passes for a total of 310 yards and 3 TD’s while Gilmore reeled in 19 passes for 263 yards and a pair of TD’s.

Four of the starting five on the offensive line return, including three seniors.  RT Jared Biard, RG Jordan Gragert, and C Weston Richburg will need to step-up as leaders on the Ram O-line this season.

On defense, the Rams will run more of a 3-4 scheme.  On the D-line, CSU must replace 3 of their front 4.  Lanston Tanyi was a second team All-Mountain West selection and tallied 77 total tackles (19^th in MWC).  Other than Tanyi, CSU returns most of their playmakers from last season, including DE Shaquil Barrett.  Barrett had 67 total tackles, 7.5 TFL’s, 3.5 sacks, and a “pick six.”

Aaron Davis and Cory James lead the way at the linebacker position.  Davis led the team in total tackles with 84 and ranked 12^th the conference in that category.  Cory James was disruptive in the offensive backfield with 7.5 sacks (2^nd in MWC).  Also, look for Max Morgan (81 total tackles (17^th in MWC), 1 INT, 1 FR) to add depth at linebacker.

Finally, the secondary returns 3 of its 4 starters from last season.  S Trent Matthews led the DB’s in total tackles with 71, 3 TFL’s, and 1 INT.  CB Shaq Bell returns after a season filled with stats.  He had 66 total tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, 1 INT, and a fumble return for a TD.

Defensive Leadership:  Cory James was a nightmare for offenses all over the MWC.  The menacing LB ranked 2^nd in the conference in sacks with 7.5 and T-4^th in tackles for loss with 11.

Keep the Defense off the Field: CSU averaged 11.2 more plays ran per game on defense than offense, which was the worst margin among all MWC teams.  The Ram’s defense was on the field almost 7 more plays per game than any other defense in the conference.

2013 Schedule:

9/1 Colorado
9/7 at Tulsa
9/14 Cal Poly
9/21 at Alabama
9/28 UTEP
10/12 San Jose State*
10/19 at Wyoming*
10/26 at Hawaii*
11/2 Boise State*
11/9 Nevada*
11/16 at New Mexico*
11/23 at Utah State*

11/30 Air Force*

*-Conference Games

Critical Games:

1. Wyoming: It has been 4 years since the Rams have won the Border War.  Turning things around at CSU starts with beating your rival.
2. Nevada: Colorado State plays a good Nevada team in Fort Collins this season and winning this game at home would be huge for the program.
3. Air Force: The Falcons won handily against the Ram’s last season.  This season, CSU has AF at home and a late win could land the Ram’s in a bowl game.

Colorado State Rams

Fort Collins, CO

Founded in 1870

Head Coach: Jim McElwain (2^nd season, 4-8 in 1^st season)

Coordinators:

• Dave Baldwin (2^nd season, Offensive Coordinator/QB’s)
• Marty English (2^nd season, Co-Defensive Coordinator/LB’s)
• Al Simmons (2^nd season, Co-Defensive Coordinator/DB’s)
• Jeff Hammerschmidt (2^nd season, Special Teams Coordinator/RB’s)

2012 Record: 4-8 (3-5 MWC)

*-Conference Game

 2012 Statistics:

^-Second Team All-Mountain West

This article was complied with the use of NCAA Football Statistics, Mountain West Conference Football, and 2013 CSU Spring Prospectus.

Audio:

Jim McElwain (head coach) talks about: The role of QB's in the MWC, Experience coming back, Priorities going into fall camp, Competition at positions, and The challenge of the schedule:

Brain Roth (CSU Football Radio Commentator) talks about: QB's, Barrett and the DL, The schedule, and Where CSU stands in 2013: