2009 Record: 3-9 (0-8)
Head Coach: Steve Fairchild (3rd season, 10-15)
Offensive Coordinator: Pat Meyer (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Larry Kerr (3rd season)
2009 Bowl Game: What the hell happened???
Offense: The Rams look like they will be going with a true freshman at QB in 4 star Pete Thomas. Thomas was originally an Arizona State commit. He has beaten out redshirt freshman Nico Ranieri fo rthe job, and Steve Fairchild believes that Thomas gives the Rams the best chance to win. Either way, Fairchild now has a QB that he can develop for 4 seasons. The Rams will highlight a pair of big power backs at RB in John Mosure and Leonard Mason. You may see UCLA transfer Raymond Carter used as a third down back. Chris Nwoke, a freshman, may also be in the mix. The WRs will both be new, as will 4 starters on the line.
Defense: The defense should actually be in good shape in 2010. 10 players with starting experience return from the 2009 unit, that struggled at times, but was not the reason overall that the Rams went 3-9. DE Cory Macon, DT Ty Whittier, and NT Guy Miller all return to start on the line, and the LBs get Alex Williams, Mychal Sisson, and Ricky Brewer back. Brewer miised all of last season due to rules violations, but is thought to be the cog that will bring this unit together. All 4 members of the secondary return from last season. A key to this unit will be 3rd down conversions, as they allowed 54% to be converted on them a year ago. That won't work this season.
Special Teams: This group appears to be set. PK Ben DeLine converted 12 of 16 FGs last season,and Pete Kontodiakos returns afte averaging over 40 yards per punt.
2010 Schedule
Wins: 9/18 @ MIami (Ohio), 10/30 New Mexico
Toss Up Games: 9/4 Colorado (@ Denver), 9/25 Idaho, 10/16 UNLV, 11/6 @ San Diego State
Losses: 9/11 @ Nevada, 10/2 TCU, 10/9 @ Air Force, 10/23 @ Utah, 11/13 BYU, 11/20 @ Wyoming
At the very worst, CSU won't go 0-8 in the MWC again. At best CSU will pull out 6 wins and then push their way into a minor bowl. The Colorado game is always a possible win, so you can never judge that game early. The Nevada game is on the road, and the Wolfpack will be seeking revenge from a season ago.
Outlook: There are some solid possibilities of improvement in 2010, but the lack of expereience at WR and on the O-line will be problematic. The defense will probably end up carrying the day, but some offensive involvement will be a must for any tangeable improvement from last season. Nobody saw last season's collapse coming, and nobody accepts losing in Fort Collins.
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