Colorado St Rams 2023 College Football Preview
June 29, 2023
2022 Recap
Record – 3-9
ATS – 6-6
Year one of the Jay Norvell era was a rough one as expected. The Rams lost their first four games and the CHERRY on top of the cake was a 41-10 home defeat at the hands of a collection of fellas known as Sacramento St. They found a way to win three games along the way but it wasn’t much fun for anyone involved.
What’s the prognosis for the Rams heading into 2023?
Colorado St Rams 2023 Outlook
OFFENSE
The offense was a horrific mess LY as they finished the season ranked #127 (!) in rushing offense and #105 thru the air. QB Clay Millen was pretty good when he wasn’t getting killed by the opposing defense (72%, 10-6 TD to INT) but sadly, he was sacked an impossible 53 times. The Rams allowed 59 sacks on the season which ranked DEAD LAST in the FBS. Millen will be glad to know that their outstanding WR Tory Horton (71, 1,131, 8 TD LY) is back for battle as is #2 WR Justus Ross-Simmons (16.3). We’re really excited about the RB room as they retain #1 RB Avery Morrow (834, 4 TD LY) and add a pair of highly-touted true freshman to the mix. And don’t sleep on veteran transfer RB Kobe Johnson (North Dakota). Of course, the yuuuge question is the state of the offensive line. There are a lot of new faces coming into town in terms of transfers and true freshman, so there’s reason to be optimistic. We’ll just have to wait and see. Color us skeptical for now.
DEFENSE
The Rams displayed a SOFT UNDERBELLY vs the run LY (164 YPG, #9 MW) but they were decent vs the pass (#4 MW pass efficiency D). We feel pretty good heading into 2023 as the Rams bring back 8 starters on defense. The DL is a lot more experienced this season and the unit is led by star DE Mohamed Kamara who put up big numbers in 2022 (8.5 sacks, 16 TFL, 11 QBH). The LB unit is a bit of a mystery as they lose the team’s #2 and #3 tacklers from the group, but the secondary could be pretty good. The back end is loaded with upperclassmen returning starters including 1st Team MW honoree safety Jack Howell who led the Rams in tackles LY.
SPECIAL TEAMS
They’ve got continuity at punter but need to find a replacement for PK Michael Boyle (10/13 FG LY). Tory Horton has proven to be a very dangerous PR (15.5, TD LY).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – There aren’t any “unwinnable” games in non-conference play but they open with a pair of PAC 12 teams (Washington St, at Coach PRIME). They miss Fresno St but have to deal with three of the four Mountain West big boys. There are a pair of winnable games at the end of the season which could help them squeak into bowl season should they need to do that.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Utah St (Oct 7)
This will be the Rams’ 3rd road game in four weeks and they’ve lost to Utah St on four straight occasions.
Season Win Total
Market consensus June 29
Over 4.5 -120
Under 4.5 +100
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
Three or four wins in conference play doesn’t seem like a stretch.and if they can do that the ‘over’ should be PURE GOLD, JERRY.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Colorado St failed to score 20 (!!) points in ANY game last season. The MEGALOCKS RESEARCH DEPARTMENT HOTTIES need to get on this and find out how uncommon that level of offensive futility is amongst FBS teams.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
The Rams appear to be one of the teams in the stew of mediocrity that could jump up and surprise folks in the Mountain West. The offense will be much better as long as they get something better than “awful” performance from the offensive line. Their defense is experienced and probably a bit underrated coming into the season. We wouldn’t be surprised to see RAMS NATION celebrating their first bowl invite since 2017. Let’s do itttttt!