Bold predictions for Colorado State football's 2023 season: Wins, standouts, bowl game?

OK, I jumped ahead too early last year.

Twelve months ago, I predicted Jay Norvell's first season in charge of the Colorado State football program would lead to a 6-6 record.

I didn't anticipate the injuries and massive struggle on the offensive line, and vastly underestimated the time it would take to eliminate all the bad vibes from the locker room.

So, my bad. The 3-9 record didn't come close to my prediction.

Am I deterred? No way! Preseason is a time for educated guesswork, which can easily go awry when predicting what a bunch of 18- to 23-year-olds will do on a football field.

Here are some bold (and not super bold) predictions for CSU's 2023 season.

Mohamed Kamara hits double-digit sack total

Kamara has the talent to reach 10 (or more) sacks, and a lot of his path there will come down to how good the rest of the defensive line is. Offenses will turn extra attention to slow Kamara, but the depth and quality of the others around him could help minimize that impact.

Kamara had 8.5 sacks last year and I think he'll hit the double-digit threshold this season. Put him down for 10.5.

CSU finally gets to 20 points, and quickly

Shockingly, CSU never hit the 20-point threshold last season, maxing out at 19 in a loss to Middle Tennessee.

The Rams will average more than 20 per game this season (I'm predicting about 24 per game) and CSU will surpass 20 in Saturday's season opener against Washington State.

CSU scored just seven against Washington State a year ago, so if this prediction comes true, it's a good early sign for the Rams.

Kobe Johnson leads CSU in rushing

CSU has two running backs with plenty of carries in their college careers in Avery Morrow and North Dakota State transfer Kobe Johnson.

Both will see plenty of carries (Jay Norvell calls them co-No. 1's) but Johnson is my pick for leading rusher with his ability inside and to break a long run. Fans will see some Dalyn Dawkins flashbacks while watching Johnson.

Louis Brown and Nuer Gatkuoth are breakout players

Brown and Gatkuoth are my predictions for offense and defense breakout players, respectively.

Brown showed flashes in a 12-catch (98 yards) freshmen season. He's had a strong preseason and has excellent open-field ability. He's going to surge in 2023.

Gatkuoth, a redshirt freshman, has secured the starting defensive end spot opposite Kamara and should benefit from the attention on Kamara. He's going to make an impact and show ability to be the next in line as an excellent pass rusher.

CSU football earns a bowl bid in 2023

Am I making the same mistake two years in a row? Maybe. But I really feel six regular season wins (and therefor bowl eligibility) is quite possible. I am, once again, predicting a 6-6 regular-season record.

I've been hovering in the 5-7 win total all offseason, so I'll settle in the middle. There are a few huge swing games (at Colorado, at Middle Tennessee, at Utah State and at UNLV) that will determine if I'm right. If CSU can muster a 2-2 nonconference record, at minimum, I think the Rams win at least four conference games.

For the first time since 2017, the Rams will be bowling.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Predictions for 2023 Colorado State football season