The 2024 Colorado State football season is set up with a unique set of circumstances and pressures.
For the first time in program history the Rams have seven home games. There’s a massive rivalry game against Colorado at Canvas Stadium and expectation for CSU to qualify for the postseason.
Preseason camp begins Friday morning for the Rams as they build toward an Aug. 31 season opener at Texas, a favorite to participate in the College Football Playoff.
How does the defense tighten?
All CSU fans know the numbers. Or if they don’t know the exact numbers, they know the feelings of frustration. CSU’s defense allowed just shy of 30 points per game a year ago.
It wasn’t just the points, it was the timing. Against Colorado, UNLV and Hawaii the Rams allowed a long scoring drive right at the end of the game to cause a loss. The defense picked the worst times to be gashed a year ago.
The offense absolutely shoulders some blame for huge amounts of turnovers and inconsistent ability to move (and hold) the ball, but a defense simply can’t allow as many big plays as it did a year ago.
How does Freddie Banks fix it? The defensive coordinator has always had an aggressive, attacking unit. The Rams need young players to step up on the defensive line and some in the secondary to step up.
Camp will be about finding the most reliable and consistent players to lead the defense. There are pieces there, led by a strong set of veteran safeties.
Can the offense get off the roller coaster?
The defensive questions have to be accompanied by a honest look at the offense, too. CSU was electric at times in 2023, but far too inconsistent.
CSU threw 18 total interceptions a year ago and the offense either made big plays, or had turnovers and quick drives. Time of possession isn’t everything, but CSU was worst in the league at it.
CSU coach Jay Norvell admitted in spring that the offense needed more consistency and pledged a more balanced attack, which makes sense given the loaded running back room.
Will CSU stay committed to that? Will the Rams cut down on turnovers? Cleaning up execution must be a camp priority.
Who makes up the lost pass catching?
Tory Horton is arguably the best offensive player in the Mountain West and has potential first-round NFL pick potential.
CSU is set at WR1. But what about behind him? The top three pass catchers behind Horton from a year ago are gone. All told, from departures (transfer or graduation) the Rams lost 167 catches, 2,048 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air from 2023.
There are young guys in the receiver room who are highly regarded: Jamari Person, Caleb Goodie and Jordan Ross, to name a few. There are transfers in Armani Winfield (Baylor), Donovan Ollie (Cincinnait) and tight end Jaxxon Warren (Navarro JC).
The history of this staff says they are excellent at finding pass catchers, but a key part of camp will be Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi building confidence and timing with a few of them to help keep defenses on their toes.
Is this group ready for the moment?
Horton and star safety Jack Howell were both very honest at Mountain West media days about CSU’s near miss of the postseason last year, when the Rams went 5-7 with three final possession defeats.
They talked about learning from mistakes, not just from an X’s and O’s standpoint, but a mental one, too. They said there were moments where the 2023 team was caught wide-eyed in some of the biggest times. They talked about owning those moments now.
It’s going to be a season with a bright spotlight. There’s a new athletic director, seven home games for the first time ever, surging season tickets and, of course, a home Rocky Mountain Showdown complete with all the drama from a year ago.
The pressure is on Norvell and staff in Year 3 to make the postseason. Will this team rise to meet the moment?
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Biggest questions facing the Colorado State football team for 2024
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