2021 Colorado State Football Record Projection Per SP+
2021 SP+ Projections Are Out
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Can the Rams get to bowl eligibility?
Spring Camp has started for the Rams. Addazio has name Todd Centeio his starting quarterback and the Rams are looking hungry to build on the glimpses shown last season. Early projections are out and the Rams are on the lower end, but could surprise.
One of the most interesting predictors you will find are Bill Connelly’s SP+ Projections. If you want a detailed breakdown of the SP+ Projections, you can take a look here. The two-minute drill indoctrination of how they are constructed is as follows; Returning Production, Recent Recruiting and Recent History.
We’re going to use the SP+ to predict the how the Rams will fair during the 2021 season. Connelly’s projections only cover FBS, so we will count the Rams game against South Dakota State as a win. This gives CSU a predicted record of 5-7 for the 2021 season. Let’s break down those games.
Preseason SP+ projections for the Mountain West:
39. Boise State
74. Nevada
78. Fresno State
80. Wyoming
81. San Jose State
84. San Diego State
93. Air Force
96. Colorado State
105. Hawaii
121. Utah State
123. UNLV
124. New Mexico https://t.co/nyzlyRuU6v— Mountain West Wire (@MWCwire) February 9, 2021
Colorado State (96) OVER South Dakota State (NR)
Usually FCS games are a gimme game for teams. However, South Dakota State is currently the 8th ranked team in FCS. The Rams will be given a test and this could be a loss. Addazio gets his team ready though and the Rams start the season strong with a victory.
Colorado State (96) OVER Vanderbilt (108)
We’ll see what this matchup brings, but expect the Rams to fight for a Power 5 victory. The Commodores were awful last year, finishing 0-9. Clark Lea has taken over as head coach and brought the Rams OC from last season, Joey Lynch, to Nashville.
Toldeo (79) OVER Colorado State (96)
The Rams lost a close one last time out against Toldeo. Expect more of the same here. Toldeo has become a better team since 2019, while we still don’t know much about Steve Addazio’s Rams. The Rockets and Rams will play a close one before Toldeo pulls one out in the end.
Iowa (16) OVER Colorado State (96)
The Rams buy game for 2021. CSU will receive $1.35 million in return for their trip to Kinnick Stadium. We might see the Rams put up a little bit of a fight early on, but expect the Hawkeyes to pull away easily in the end.
Air Force (93) OVER Colorado State (96)
The service academies always have so much turnover, so it makes projecting their season kind of pointless. The Falcons are always on point against the Rams though. CSU could surprise here, but Air Force plays such a methodical game that always gives the Rams fits and this game shouldn’t be any different.
Nevada (74) OVER Colorado State (96)
The Air Raid versus the Rams top pass rushing defense. Head Coach Jay Norvell has brought the Air Raid to Nevada with great results for the Wolf Pack. Chuck Heater brought the heat last year for the Rams as CSU’s defensive front was one of the top units in the nation. Nevada pulls out a squeaker here.
Colorado State (96) OVER Hawaii (105)
Hawaii had a decent year last year. They finished above .500 and that included a win over Houston in the New Mexico Bowl, which was played in Frisco, TX. Todd Graham had an up and down year, but finished strong in 2020. 2021 should be a next step in the process for Hawaii.
Colorado State (96) OVER Utah State (121)
Utah State was bad last year. They brought in Blake Anderson from Arkansas State as their new head coach. Anderson looks to be changing the culture in Logan. But until we see the results on the field, we just can’t give the Aggies much.
Boise State (39) OVER Colorado State (96)
The evil monkey on the Rams back. CSU has never beaten Boise State and probably won’t this year either. Even with a new head coach, the Broncos should win here. Their ability to execute sets them a class apart from most of the Mountain West.
San Jose State (81) OVER Colorado State (96)
Raise your hand if you had the Spartans winning the Mountain West last season and don’t lie. Nick Starkel was the surprise star of the Mountain West last season. He and a number of other Spartans return to try for another championship.
Colorado State (93) OVER New Mexico (124)
Danny Gonzales steps into his second year at the helm. The Lobos pulled out a couple surprising wins at the end of last season. However, the Lobos still have to prove they’re on their way up or they will be a bottom dweller for seasons to come in the Mountain West.
Wyoming (80) OVER Colorado State (96)
The Border War. The schools are separated by just 65 miles. The Rams surprised everyone last season by winning the Bronze Boot. Craig Bohl and the Cowboys will be out for revenge. Expect a slugfest with both sides giving each other their best shot.
