With RB Kyle Bell back after tearing his ACL and Caleb Hanie being the most experienced QB in the conference watch for the Rams to improve off of last years 4-8 finish. The Rams are looking to end their 7 game losing streak when they open up against Colroado Buffs at Invesco Field to start the season. The Rams should be improved with possibly the top running back in the conference back, the season before Bell tore his ACL he put up 1288 .yards and 10 TD's while rushing the ball which makes the Rams very optimistic. The Rams have a pretty tough first third of the season by playing Colorado, California, at Houston, and then at TCU. Things could get hectic if they lose those 4 which would put the Rams losing streak to an unprecedented 11 straight games.
Lets take a look at their schedule
Sept. 1 COLORADO @ Invesco Field 10 a.m. MT TV: FSN
Sept. 8 CALIFORNIA 12 p.m. MT TV: CSTV
Sept. 22 at Houston 3:30 p.m. CT TV: CSTV
Sept. 29 at TCU 6 p.m. CT TV: The Mtn.
Oct. 6 SAN DIEGO STATE 3:30 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.
Oct. 13 AIR FORCE 3:30 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.
Oct. 20 at UNLV 6 p.m. PT TV: NONE
Oct. 27 UTAH 3:30 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.
Nov. 3 at BYU 12 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.
Nov. 10 at New Mexico 1 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.
Nov. 17 GEORGIA SOUTHERN 12 p.m. MT TV: NONE
Nov. 23 WYOMING 12 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.
Lock it up. . . San Diego State, Air Force, @UNLV, Georgia Southern
Maybe . . . Colorado (@Invesco Field), @Houston, Utah, @BYU, @New Mexico, Wyoming
No Chance . . . California, @TCU
The realistic record for the Rams would be 6-6 or 7-5 overall and 4-4 or 3-5 conference record That Wyoming game will be very important and could decide the 4th and final bowl spot for the conference, and to throw in that it's a rivalry game is huge.
Worst Case Scenario ... As I mentioned above it is possible that Colorado State could lose its first 4 games and have their losing streak extend to 11 games overall. Even if the Rams struggle in those 4 games they will have a reprieve with the 3 worst teams in the conference against San Diego State, Air Force, and then at UNLV to get some much needed confidence. If the ship falls apart look for a 4-8 record which would include a win over I-AA Georgia Southern.
Best Case Scenario ... This would have the Rams starting the season 5-2 with their only loss to Cal and TCU. Then going on to finish 9-3 with a notable win over Utah at home and their only other loss coming at BYU. This could be possible if Bell and Hanie take over and play out of their minds. Look for this team to be one of the better teams since Bradlee Van Pelt was a Ram.