It's been a disappointing year for the Rams of Colorado State.
Last season, CSU finished 6-1 in the Western Athletic Conference - its only loss was to BYU - and, in its first postseason game in 42 years, beat Oregon in the Freedom Bowl, 32-31.With 13 starters back from that team, including the quarterback, top running back, and three leading receivers, it was widely assumed the Rams would be a title contender in '91. A WAC media poll picked CSU to finish third in the conference; most national preseason publications forecast a second-place Ram finish.
Instead, the Rams are in a three-way tie for fifth place, at 2-3, and still have to play BYU, Thursday at Hughes Stadium on ESPN, and San Diego State on the road.
What's happened?
The biggest problem is that the defense hasn't been as good as expected, or at least hoped. Before the season it looked like the Rams had some holes to fill up front - instead of being filled, the holes have combined to create a gaping void.
Coach Earle Bruce has made a lot of moves, trying to fill that void. John Moran was a linebacker last year, now he's a defensive end. Another former linebacker, Steve Norton, is a tackle. Free safety Brian Schneider is now a 201-pound outside linebacker.
The moves haven't helped that much. CSU is giving up nearly nine points a game more than last season, a big reason why the Rams are 1-3 in games decided by a touchdown or less, while last season they were 3-1 in such games.
"We have had opportunities to win and haven't taken advantage of them," Bruce said. "And we have managed to give away a few football games."
But the defense can't take all the blame; the offense is also performing below last year's standards. QB Kevin Verdugo is having his best season, but the Ram rushing game - and Bruce likes to run - is down. That fact, combined with CSU's having been behind in a lot of games, has forced the Rams to pass more than Bruce would like.
Another problem that has plagued the Rams is turnovers. They have given the ball away 26 times this season, while causing just eight turnovers - the worst ratio in the WAC.
"We continually seal our own doom with our own mistakes," Bruce said. "It's a shame we are a 3-5 football team."