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Here's how the Colorado State football team is projected to fare in 2023

kevin lytle, fort collins coloradoan
·2 min read
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Colorado State Rams wide receiver Tory Horton (14) returns a punt for a touchdown in the opening seconds of the Nov. 12 game at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins.
Colorado State Rams wide receiver Tory Horton (14) returns a punt for a touchdown in the opening seconds of the Nov. 12 game at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins.

LAS VEGAS ― The Colorado State football team is presenting a conundrum for prognosticators.

The Rams were just 3-9 last season and haven't made a bowl since 2017, which suggests there are more struggles ahead.

On the flip side, the Rams have big talent on offense (led by star receiver Tory Horton) and potential to be an excellent defense, led by Jack Howell and Mohamed Kamara.

Questions about the team's depth and the offensive line are leading to cautious projections nationally for the 2023 season.

The Mountain West released its preseason media poll Wednesday to start the annual media days. Here's where media ranked the Rams and how other national sites project CSU's 2023 season to go.

Where CSU football is projected to finish in 2023

Mountain West: Media members voted the Rams to finish seventh in the 12-team Mountain West.

Phil Steele: Steele is one of the key voices in offseason projections, and he tabs the Rams for seventh in the Mountain West. He said the Rams "should continue to improve in Norvell's 2nd year."

Athlon Sports: The magazine isn't as high as others on CSU's chances, picking the Rams ninth in the Mountain West. Although the magazine does say "the Rams could be in contention for bowl eligibility for the first time since 2017."

Individual honors

Three Rams landed on the list of preseason first-team all-conference members, which are selected by media members:

Tory Horton (receiver), Mohamed Kamara (defensive line) and Jack Howell (safety) were all voted preseason first-team all-conference. Horton was also named the Mountain West's top punt returner.

Phil Steele's magazine also named Horton a fourth-team All-American.

Mountain West preseason poll

Here's a look at the prediction for order of finish from Mountain West media members. Remember, there are now no divisions and therefore teams were picked 1-12 (first-place votes in parentheses):

  1. Boise State (28)

  2. Air Force (2)

  3. Fresno State (5)

  4. San Diego State (1)

  5. San Jose State

  6. Wyoming

  7. Colorado State

  8. Utah State

  9. UNLV (1)

  10. Hawai'i

  11. Nevada

  12. New Mexico

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

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: How the Colorado State football team is projected to finish in 2023