2014
Colorado State
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule
Colorado State doubled their win total last year with eight and that includeda bowl win over Pac-12 opponent Washington State. For the Rams, that’s a successful season. Repeating that success will be their task in 2014.
Quarterback Garrett Grayson is back for his senior season, and looking from the outside that should mean the offense can continue last year’s progress, but that might not be so in this case. Kapri Bibbs (1,741 yards, 31 TDs) is gone as well as Four of last year’s starting offensive linemen. The Rams have zero running backs with experience on their roster. When you combine that with a fairly new offensive line, expectations aren’t great.
Then again, Grayson is the quarterback and he runs the offense. His top receivers return in Rashard Higgins (68 receptions, 837 yards) and Joe Hansley along with numerous others. If the running Game has trouble repeating last year’s success, it’s most likely that Grayson will be asked to pass a little more. He completed 62 percent of his passes last year for 23 TDs and 11 INTs and has improved every season of his collegiate career.
Colorado State also improved on the defensive side in 2013, albeit they still allowed almost 30 points per Game, it was better than previous seasons. They lose the MWC Defensive Player of the Year at linebacker as well as all three starters on the line.
Despite a big loss at linebacker, the Rams are expected to have one of the best cores in the Conference with three starters returning, two of them seniors. The Rams also return an entire secondary, but that’s not saying much as the group allowed 33 touchdowns last year, which was second-to-last nationally.
With Boston College on the Schedule instead of Alabama, as well as a home Game against Tulsa, you’d have to think the eight wins are very attainable for this team again. Beating Colorado in the opener would be even nicer.
In MWC play, the Rams still have a friendly Schedule, not having to play any of the top teams in the West division. Wins should be expected at home against Wyoming, Hawaii and New Mexico, but on the road is where CSU has their work cut out for them.
They get Boise State, Nevada and San Jose State away from home. If they lose all of those, reaching five Conference wins will be tough this season. With a depleted rushing attack, it’s a wonder how far Grayson can carry the offense. Unless they really regress, the Rams should still reach at least seven wins.
2014 Colorado State Football Schedule
Aug. 29 vs. Colorado (in Denver)
Sept. 6 at Boise State
Sept. 13 vs. UC Davis
Sept. 27 at Boston College
Oct. 4 vs. Tulsa
Oct. 11 at Nevada
Oct. 18 vs. Utah State
Oct. 25 vs. Wyoming
Nov. 1 at San Jose State
Nov. 8 vs. Hawaii
Nov. 22 vs. New Mexico
Nov. 28 at Air Force