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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

111. Colorado State


(3-9, 1-6) Western Athletic Conference



(October 28, 2011 - Source: Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America)

Rankings: -
Offense
Avg
Defense
Avg
Rushing
166.83
Rushing
233.67
Passing
184.58
Passing
179.58
Total
351.42
Total
413.25
Points
21.42
Points
31.25


Overview

The Rams made one big change in the offseason - signing on Jim McElwain as HC. The former Alabama HC comes from a winning environment, and the hope is he instills that in his players. As with every coaching change, there was some division, but the few against have left while the rest seem to be on board with what McElwain wants to do. Last season, the Rams were okay on offense (good enough to win more than 3 games), but the defense was awful against the run. The loss of some key players, such as QB Pete Thomas (transferred) and Mike Orakpo and Nordly Capi (expelled) will hurt the team, but throwing off the current culture of losing will be the biggest change in 2012.

Offense

Thomas was a former top recruit who was handed the keys of the offense in his freshman year, and showed a lot of promise. However, he appeared to level out last season before missing the last 3 games with an injury. Garrett Grayson stepped in and did okay, and looks to be the starter this season. He needs to cut down on his picks, but he’s a mobile QB who can punish unwary defenses. Luckily, one of the players who bought in the new regime is Chris Nwoke, the returning leading rusher with 1130 yards and 9 scores. The offense figures to lean on him while Grayson gets comfortable. There will be a battle to back him up, but the candidates are all capable. Returning 3 starting linemen always help, especially one is 2nd team all-conference C Weston Richburg. They still need a new G and T (not Gin and Tonic), and McElwain went as far as to advertise for large bodies on campus, but they should be okay. Watch our for JUCO Charles Ragland in fall camp. The receiving corps was a problem last season, TE Crockett Gilmore (45-468-4), and could present some problems again this season if no-one other than Marquise Law steps forward. Dominique Vinson moved over from defense and looked good, but depth behind those two is thin. Still McElwain has shown from his ‘bama days that he’s happy to ride the run as long as it’s working.

Defense

Job number 1 this season is stopping the run. After the collapse last season, a lot of work needs to be done. First step is to switch to a 3-4 defense, and that looks like a good move considering the lack of girth on this side of the ball. One of last year’s starters return, DT John Froland, and he’ll take up one of the end spots. Who lines up opposite him won’t be decided until fall, as likely starter CJ James left the team in May. Curtis Wilson is the likely starter on the nose, but he’s way too small at 262lbs, so watch for massive JUCO Calvin Tonga in the fall. He’s a former OL prospect originally signed by Arizona. LB looked strong at the end of last season, but a host of new faces will need to step up and replace Orakpo and Capi, the defense’s best players. James Skelton (91 tackles) and Shaquil Barratt (99 tackles) are returning starters, but need to up their game and make a few more plays. Joining them should be Max Morgan, a reserve on the inside last season, and Davis Burl. Incoming freshmen should provide depth. The secondary was mostly decent last season, but had the benefit of an outstanding pass rush. This season, the top pass rushers have left the team, leaving the secondary in something of a bind. CB Momo Thomas is back for his senior season, and will be joined by part-time starter Shaq Bell. The pass defense was at its best with Bell in the lineup. FS Austin Gray is also back after a sometime trying freshman season, and should be better for the experience. SS will have a new starter, but redshirt freshman Trent Matthews made a big splash in camp and should be the man.

Special Teams

The Rams had their issues at kicker last season, but they could be in worse shape this season with an inexperienced player. Jared Roberts kicked a couple of field goals in the spring game, but watch for freshman Kevin Adams, who could make a push if Roberts.  struggles. P Pete Kontodiakos is one of the best in the conference and will probably be on Ray Guy watch-list this year. Thomas isn’t a flashy PR, but he’s good enough to shorten the field consistently for the offense. A new KR is needed, and WR Thomas Coffman showed some skill in camp. He has the speed to hit the endzone on occasion. The coverage units need to be improved.

5 Players to watch out for


  1. SS Trent Matthews - Matthews has great size (6’3) and agility for the position and has caught the eye of the coaching staff with his work in the offseason. The Rams got burned on occasion last year, and Matthews’ speed and ball skills could make opponents think twice before going deep in 2012.
  2. QB Garrett Grayson - with Pete Thomas off to NC State, Grayson takes the reins. He showed flashes after taking over late last season, but needs to tidy up his game. The coaches will be content with a game manager, so he needs to be smarter with his throws.
  3. WR Marquise Law - the Rams lacked not just a playmaker last season, but a reliable pass-catcher who can move the chains. After catching just 3 passes for 9 yards in 2011, Law looked great in spring camp and could be a key target for Grayson.
  4. DT Calvin Tonga - the move to a 3-4 is a good idea considering the amount of LB talent in the roster, and also because of the lack of big bodies up front. The problem is though, they don’t have a true nose. Step forward Tonga, who’s big enough to eat some of the other DLs for breakfast. If he can step up to FBS level in a hurry, he will be a key to the defense.
  5. K Jared Roberts/Kevin Adams - doesn’t matter who kicks, as long as he makes them. The Rams will run a ball-control offense this season, and FGs will be at a premium. Long drives that result in nothing can suck the life out of a team.

Prediction

First, the bad news - Colorado State play in the MWC which looked like it was slipping back into the ranks of also-rans thanks to the defection of high-profile programs, but picked up some decent mid-majors in Fresno State, Hawaii and Nevada. While the Rams could beat many of the MWC teams on any given Sunday, they don’t yet have the depth to compete week-in, week-out. It’ll be fun to see what Nwoke can accomplish over the course of a full season, but the team needs Grayson and a couple of the receivers to be reliable from day 1. The team will play hard, but the questionable passing attack and lack of bulk on the d-line will consign the Rams to another 3 or 4-win season.

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