December 1st 2024.
Hooves over hearts, Rams fans, because the 2024 football season has been one wild ride. Who would have thought that Tory Horton would only play in five games this fall? If someone had told you that on Aug. 10, you probably would have predicted a low number of victories for CSU, even with Jeff Bezos' bank account on their side.
But former CSU quarterback and athletic director Jack Graham has faith in head coach Jay Norvell. In a recent conversation, Graham praised Norvell's potential for success and acknowledged that debates over his game management could go on for days. And let's be honest, there have been some questionable moments in the season, especially against Oregon State and Fresno.
However, when compared to the troubles of 2023, the nitpicks are minor. And let's not forget that the Rams, minus their star player Horton, still managed to achieve an 8-4 record in the regular season, surpassing the preseason over-under of 6.5 victories several weeks ago.
So as we look ahead to the future, let's not dwell on what could have been with a different offensive play-caller. Instead, let's enjoy the successes of this season, like the trophy wins over Wyoming and Air Force, and the victory at the Academy for the first time since 2002.
It's worth noting that in the 50 years since Graham was a quarterback for CSU, the Rams have gone through nine head coaches. Only five of them have managed to win eight or more games in a season. And between Jim McElwain's 10 victories in 2014 and Norvell's 8-4 record this year, it's been a tough 10 years for the Rams, with a Bobo and a Daz thrown into the mix.
But Graham gives credit where credit is due, acknowledging that it was Joe Parker, the former CSU athletic director, who hired Norvell. And he believes that the key to Norvell's success is not a new coordinator, but rather, money and talent.
And that's where the move to the Pac-12 Lite/Mountain West Plus in two summers comes into play. It's the opposite of what just happened in Boulder, where CU joined a weakened Big 12 that they could potentially dominate for years to come. But for the Rams, the move means facing tougher competition and traveling to new territories.
In terms of core membership, CSU will be joining the Pac-12 Lite/Mountain West Plus before they have truly proven themselves against the teams they will be facing. Since 2015, the Rams have a record of 0-2 against Washington State, 1-1 against Oregon State, 1-8 against Boise State, 2-3 against San Diego State, 3-2 against Fresno State, and 3-6 against Utah State. With a 7-game conference schedule, that's an average of 2-5, which is not enough to secure a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
And while the transfer portal has certainly changed the landscape of college football, early National Signing Day still plays a crucial role in recruiting. Unfortunately, as of Saturday morning, Norvell's expected incoming class is ranked eighth in the Mountain West and 104th nationally by 247Sports.
So what's the solution? According to Graham, it's simple: money and talent. And in order to attract the kind of talent that can compete at a Power-4 level, the Rams will need a budget of approximately $3.5 million, and even more for legitimate competition. It doesn't have to be $20 million, but without a significant investment, CSU football will struggle to keep up with the big dogs.
So as we continue to support our team and coach, let's remember that it's not just about the X's and O's, it's about the Jimmies and Joes. The ones who can make the big plays and bring home the victories. And in order to bring in those players, we need the resources to support them. So let's pour one out for our fellow Rams fans who are still freaking out over the Pac-12 in 2026, and enjoy the ride that is the 2024 season.
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