Colorado State Rams Preview 2024
You can see how this is about to turn.
It’s been a rockier run than expected after the move of head coach Jay Norvell from Nevada over to Colorado State. The program that was so good for so long under Sonny Lubick, and later in the mid-2010s when it went on a nice run, experienced five straight losing seasons.
On the plus side, after a 3-9 rebuilding 2022, the Rams went 5-7 last season and would’ve gone bowling if they didn’t biff the regular season finale at Hawaii.
But again, there’s a plus to all of this. If Colorado State doesn’t have the most key players back of any team in the Mountain West, it’s near the top of the list, the energy is there, and outside of the opener at Texas, the schedule is very, VERY forgiving.
The offense perked up in a huge way, the systems and players are starting to come together, and after a season when four of the losses were very, very winnable, that whole “We Coming” thing from an hour down the road might actually apply to the school in Fort Collins.
Colorado State Preview 2024: Offense
- The passing offense was great. It finished first in the Mountain West and ninth in the nation, but all of those yards and all of those big plays have to translate into more points.
QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is going into his third year. He’s not going to run, and the 16 picks of last season have to go WAY down, but he’ll keep on slinging it. And he’s got the receivers.
- Tory Horton one of the nation’s best wideouts and a good pro prospect as a true No. 1. He caught 96 passes for 1,136 yards and eight scores. A few key parts are gone - losing TE Dallin Holker hurts - but Jaxxon Warren is good prospect transferring in, Donovan Ollie is a deep threat on the outside from Cincinnati - he was better at Washington State - and the O makes the receivers shine.
- The running game wasn’t exactly an afterthought, but it’s not how the bread gets buttered in this attack. It only averaged 3.3 yards per carry, but it committed to the bit late in the year and managed to have a few good moments.
There will be a rotation of backs behind a line that gets back just about everyone, is versatile enough to move some pieces around, and added Alex Foster from Utah Tech for one guard spot.
Colorado State Preview 2024: Defense
- The defense could’ve been a lot better. It’s missing star pass rusher Mohamed Kamara, struggled against the run, and was awful on third downs, but after the first half of the season the bunch kept most games in range.
The loss of Kamara is the biggest hit - he came up with 13 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. There’s a decent rotation at tackle, and veteran end Nuer Gatkuoth is back after making 53 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Now everyone has to get into the backfield a bit more.
- The safeties had to make too many plays, but they can do it. The Rams are loaded in the defensive backfield, starting with 2023 leading tackler Jack Howell - he came up with 114 stops - along with veteran Henry Blackburn, and there are plenty of other veteran options.
The transfer portal is taking over the corner situation with Isaiah Essissima a sixth-year senior coming in from Nevada after starting out at Wake Forest, and Elias Larry coming over from Navy for the other side.
- The linebacking corps has to find a few parts to step up. Chase Wilson is a tackling machine in the middle, and the senior is surrounded by youth. The Rams are full of underclassmen to work into the rotation.
Colorado State Key To The Season
Stop getting bombed on.
Even with Kamara and a decent pass rush, the Colorado State defense got lit up way too often by anyone who could throw. It wasn’t just that the secondary gave up yards; it was the completion percentage.
Colorado State was 0-5 when giving up more than 280 yards, and on the year allowed everyone by Air Force to hit 62% of their passes and with six offenses completing 70% or more.
Colorado State Key Player
DE Nuer Gatkuoth, Soph.
Can he take his game up a few notches? The defense needs to generate the pressure.
The Canadian was great at a true freshman with 53 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss, but the line needs someone to be the next man up as the dangerous playmaker behind the line. The 6-4, 230-pounder has the athleticism and upside to be terrific.
Colorado State Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss
Top Transfer In: CB Elias Larry, Sr.
He didn’t make a ton of big plays at Navy - 40 tackles with two picks and five broken up passes - but he was banged up for a bulk of last year. He’s an ultra-quick, good-sized corner who can get physical. Experienced, he’s an instant starter.
Top Transfer Out: DT Grady Kelly
The run defense has to find options after it lost one of its main guys to Florida State. The 6-2, 285-pound Kelly came up with 35 tackles with 1.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, and now he’ll be a key part for the Noles.
Colorado State Key Game
at Air Force, Oct. 19
There are plenty of interesting, fun games the Rams have to battle through - like the trip to Fresno State and the non-conference/conference game at Oregon State, but it’s it’s time to beat Air Force again.
Seven straight. Colorado State has lost seven straight games and 16 of the last 18 to the Falcons with the last victory in 2015. The last win in Colorado Springs? 2002.
Colorado State 10 Best Players
1. Troy Horton, WR Sr.
2. Jack Howell, S Sr.
3. Chase Wilson, LB Sr.
4. Jacob Gardner, C Sr.
5. Henry Blackburn, S Sr.
6. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, QB Soph.
7. Nuer Gatkuoth, EDGE Jr.
8. Paddy Turner, P Sr.
9. Justin Marshall, RB RFr.
10. Jordan Noyes, PK Sr.
Colorado State 2023 Fun Stats
- Colorado State 3rd Quarter Scoring: 33, Colorado State 4th Quarter Scoring: 123
- Sacks: Colorado State 33 for 213 yards, Opponents 14 for 90 yards
- Time of Possession: Opponents 33:17, Colorado State 27:13
Colorado State 2024 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen
Finally, Colorado State will go bowling again.
It’ll be tough to get to the Mountain West Championship with road games at Air Force and Fresno State, but win one of those and there’s no excuse not to play for the title. Be slightly shocked if it’s not favored in the other five conference games.
Missing Boise State, Hawaii, San Diego State, and UNLV is a big, big plus, and Washington State isn’t on the slate.
The Rams do get the Oregon State game that’s sort of a Mountain West game but doesn’t count in conference play, and they have to go to Texas to start the season, but Colorado is a home game and there’s just one trip out of the State from September 7th to mid-October.
Set The Colorado State Win Total At … 7
Likely Wins: New Mexico, Northern Colorado, UTEP
50/50 Games: at Air Force, Colorado, at Fresno State, at Nevada, at Oregon State, San Jose State, Utah State, Wyoming
Likely Losses: at Texas
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