Aiming high nothing new for Rams

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004 | 10:24 a.m.

(Third in a series previewing the Mountain West Conference)

Head coach: Sonny Lubick, 12th season, 91-44.

2003 record: 7-6 (4-3, 3rd in Mountain West)

Returning starters: 13.

Top player: WR David Anderson.

Key game: Oct. 2 vs. BYU.

2004 MWC media poll projection: 2nd

Monday -- Air Force

Tuesday -- BYU

Today -- Colo. State

Thursday -- New Mexico

Friday -- San Diego State

Next Monday -- Utah

Next Tuesday -- Wyoming

Expectations are once again high for the Colorado State football team entering the 2004 football season.

Despite losing star quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt to graduation, the Rams, who return 13 starters from a 7-6 squad that lost to Boston College in the San Francisco Bowl, were picked to finish second in the Mountain West Conference's preseason media poll and even garnered a first-place vote. But that's nothing compared to the pressure coach Sonny Lubick and company had to endure a year ago.

Many publications said the Rams were talented enough to make a run at a BCS bowl berth. One longtime Denver columnist even predicted the Rams would go undefeated and play Miami for the national championship in the Sugar Bowl.

Now that's what you call a real Rocky Mountain high.

Still, it's a testament to Lubick's coaching that his team could be held in such high regard. It also shows just how far the program has come in the past decade when a third-place conference finish -- which included a 45-point win against BYU (58-13) as well as wins against pesky Air Force and San Diego State and a bowl berth -- is considered disappointing in Fort Collins.

After all, before Lubick arrived at Colorado State the Rams had put together just two winning seasons in 12 years and had gone to one bowl game in that span. In the 11 years since, CSU has won six conference titles and gone to eight bowl games.

The injury-plagued Rams very well might have been in the mix for a seventh conference title last year if not for a fluky 28-21 home loss to eventual conference champ Utah. CSU was in position for a game-winning field goal try with 1:33 to go when running back Marcus Houston fumbled the ball into the hands of Utah corner Arnold Parker who then ran the ball back 80 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

"Last year we slipped a little bit," Lubick said. "It was a learning experience for all of us."

The Rams must replace Van Pelt, a two-time Mountain West Conference player of the year who is now with the Denver Broncos. His backup, junior Justin Holland, came off the bench to lead an impressive last-minute 24-23 comeback win against UNLV last year. He is a former Parade All-American with a strong, accurate arm.

Holland should benefit greatly from a deep wide receiving corps led by junior David Anderson, a first team all-MWC pick who had 72 receptions for a conference-leading 1,293 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago, and a healthy Joel Dressen, who has 72 career receptions and may be the best tight end in the conference.

The running game, which was a major disappointment a year ago, also should be much improved especially if Houston, a former national player of the year from Denver who may be the state's most highly touted prep player ever, can cut down on the fumbling and finally live up to his press clippings.

A 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, Houston has been receiving glowing writeups for his play in spring practice and fall camp. Junior Jimmy Green, who came on strong at the end of the season, also returns, as does oft-injured Uldis Jaunarajs and Tristan Walker, rated one of the West Coast's top prep runners in 2001.

Holland should also benefit by playing behind a veteran offensive line led by massive all-MWC tackle Erik Pears (6-8, 315).

The big questions for the Rams will be on defense, a Lubick speciality. Colorado State allowed 154.6 yards per game rushing a year ago and finished sixth in the MWC in total defense. The Rams lost longtime defensive coordinator Larry Kerr to UCLA a year ago and also struggled with injuries and depth at linebacker and in the secondary.

The schedule certainly does the Rams no favors. CSU opens with back-to-back road games against bitter in-state rival Colorado in Boulder and preseason No. 1 USC at the Coliseum before returning home to host Big Ten contender Minnesota. And the Rams must play Utah and San Diego State on the road in what figure to be key Mountain West Conference games.

Still, it would be unwise to bet against Lubick and company, who found out last year not to put stock in preseason polls.

"Let's put it this way," Lubick said at MWC media day. "You guys (the media) are never right. A lot of things can happen because our league is so balanced. ... It just makes for good discussion."