CSU again favored to win conference crown

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001 | 10:40 a.m.

Facts and figures on the Colorado State Rams:

Head coach: Sonny Lubick (88-48, 13th season)

2000 record: 10-2 (6-1, 1st, Mountain West Conference)

Returning starters: 14.

Player to watch: RB Cecil Sapp

Guy they'll miss: LB Rick Crowell

Key game: Sept. 14 at UNLV

Sun projection: 3rd place.

Based on the first two years at least, the road to the Mountain West Conference football title runs through Fort Collins, Colo.

Sonny Lubick's Colorado State Rams, who defeated Conference-USA champ Louisville 22-17 in last year's Liberty Bowl, will be trying for a three-peat in MWC play this fall.

And with 14 starters, including star running back Cecil Sapp and the standout receiving duo of Dallas Davis and Pete Rebstock, they just might find themselves spending New Year's Eve in Memphis again.

Whether the Rams can indeed make it three-in-a-row could depend largely on who replaces quarterback Matt Newton.

Newton was co-offensive player of the year in the MWC last year after leading the conference in both total offense (223.5 yards per game) and passing (198-of-334, 2,609 yards, 20 touchdowns, 13 interceptions).

Lubick, whose name was rumored for job openings at Miami and USC in the off season, still hasn't decided between a pair of sophomores, D. J. Busch and Bradlee Van Pelt. And he didn't rule out the possibility of perhaps playing both when Colorado State opens its season on Sept. 1 against in-state rival Colorado at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

"That's a possibility," Lubick said. "You'd prefer to have one by then, but if they're both pretty even, we might go ahead and play them both."

Compounding the problem is each quarterback has his own style.

Busch, who backed up Newton last year as a true freshman, is considered the better passer. Van Pelt, a transfer from Michigan State and the son of former New York Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt, is a better runner.

The Rams are expected to hold a scrimmage later this week and Lubick could pick his starter if one jumps to the forefront.

Whoever is taking snaps will be surrounded by a solid returning group that includes an offensive line that co-offensive coordinator John Benton said "has a chance of being a special group" as well as NFL-caliber prospects Sapp, Davis, Rebstock and senior tight end Jose Ochoa.

Defensively, Lubick's squads perennially rate among the nation's finest. The Rams must replace MWC Defensive Player of the Year Rick Crowell, however, with sophomore Adam Wade, a starter at outside linebacker last season, moving inside to try to fill that void.

The secondary, featuring the identical twin Gallimore brothers at free safety (Jason) and right corner (Justin) as well as hard-hitting senior Aaron Sprague at strong safety, should be one of the conference's best.

The Rams also have one of the nation's top special teams units led by Rebstock, who was sixth in the nation in punt returns (16.8 avg.)

If a team is going to unseat Colorado State this year, it better get to the Rams early. Lubick is an amazing 18-3 in November since arriving in Fort Collins, including 10-1 on the road. The Rams have three games that month this year: Nov. 1 at BYU; Nov. 8 vs. Air Force and Nov. 17 at New Mexico.

The bad news for Lubick and company is that they play at UNLV and host San Diego State, another MWC title hopeful, in September.

But if Lubick can find his man to take over for Newton by then, it may not really matter.

This is the third in a series of stories previewing the 2001 MWC football teams. Thursday: New Mexico.