Colorado State Rams beginning new era in Rocky Mountain Showdown

Fort Collins, CO. The Colorado State Rams football team is about to finally begin a brand new era under first year head coach Jim McElwain. The program has been a mess for the last few years, and after three consecutive 3-9 seasons, is looking for a fresh start with a new leader. The Rams face in-state rival Colorado this Saturday in their much-anticipated annual battle at Sports Authority Field. After an off-season where Colorado State fired its head coach and dealt with a few players being expelled, the team is looking to move ahead beginning this weekend. The Rams will try to spring the upset, as they are 6 point underdogs to their in-state rivals. A victory over the Buffs on Saturday would do wonders for a Colorado State Rams team looking to find a new identity.
 

 
The Buffaloes own the overall edge over the Rams in this football series, with a record of 61-20-2. Although Colorado State has come out on top here and there, Colorado has won seven of the past ten. The Buffs will show up this Saturday with a new starting QB, Jordan Webb. Webb is a transfer from Kansas, who has 19 starts under his belt during the last two seasons. The Rams will have sophomore Garrett Grayson under center, as he returns after starting in three games as a freshman. It will be interesting to see what flavor this Rams team now has. Anyone who follows the Colorado State program has to be thrilled with the new man in charge, Jim McElwain. McElwain, who as many know, was the offensive coordinator for the 2011 National Championship Alabama Crimson Tide. The fact that CSU lured a man in his position to come to Fort Collins was an absolute home run for a program desperate for a major change. McElwain brings tons of experience from a winning atmosphere, and an attitude of expecting to win, not merely hoping to win. The Rams could not have landed a better man to be the new head coach, as it is the perfect time for him to rebuild Colorado State and make them relevant in the Mountain West Conference.

This Saturday’s matchup between Colorado and Colorado State will be watched by many fans in the area. It is always a game that is very interesting, regardless of how good the two teams are. But this game could end up being where the Colorado State Rams begin their journey to regaining respect. A victory over the Buffs would be a huge stepping stone for a program that has hit the skids for quite some time now. Years from now, September 1st, 2012, could end up being the date that a new era for Colorado State Rams football really began to take off.

Denver Sports by J Simp
 
Colorado State Rams T-Shirts