That’s all, folks!

Another season in the books, and for a fifth straight year, Colorado State football improved. Sure, 7-6 may not look as pretty as 10-3 does on paper, but considering the whirlwind of changes at CSU, let’s chalk this one up as the Rams continuing to rise to prominence.

It’s not just the third straight bowl appearance – a nail-biting loss to Nevada in the inaugural NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl – we must rewind and revisit both the ups and downs of 2015 to truly appreciate what Mike Bobo has been able to do at CSU.

So, for your reading pleasure, a poem on Colorado State Rams Football:

Week One was a thrashing of Savannah State.
The mood in Fort Collins was overall great.
A 52-point blowout?
Superb season start, no doubt.

The Big Ten’s Minnesota came to town,
And after some late-game heroics, turned smiles upside down.
The comeback overtime loss was a tough pill to swallow.
Following it, in the muck the Rams would wallow.

The Rocky Mountain Showdown again did disappoint,
And CSU was too inconsistent to anoint.
To lose to the Buffs always hurts.
To do so in overtime is even worse.

But, my friends, remember the Alamo.
Colorado State won at Texas, San Antonio.
Big plays were the theme of the day,
And CSU’s offense, behind Jasen Oden, certainly had their way.
“Hollywood” Higgins scored a touchdown.
The offense was finally found.

The next week, though,
The Aggies aggressive defense did show.
Three Rams turnovers were a big-time blow,
18 points were then a season-low.

Boise State, who’s always great,
Blew out the Rams early and late.
The Broncos have beaten CSU every game to date,
And after the loss there was a bit of a quarterback debate.

The Rams then rallied, and played like they’re able.
The total team win over Air Force was like something from a fable.
Defense was strong and offense was awesome.
Into a true team Bobo’s Rams did blossom.

At the bye week, it was clear Bobo had his team pointed in the right direction.
His love for them, they did mention.

Another loss did irk Bobo.
With an Atzecs blowout, the “Come to Jesus” meeting did follow.
It was a moment his young Rams could fold,
But rally they did after he did scold.

Up to Laramie, Colorado State did drive.
Routing their rivals in Wyoming kept the season alive.
Izzy Matthews showed he’s a beast.
A dominant win it was, to say the least.
The Bronze Boot is back to where it belongs.
And thankfully CSU and Wyoming will never get along.

Versus UNLV, CSU found a way.
And back-to-back wins made things A-OK.
Back at .500 they were with the win,
One more victory meant going bowling again.

Into New Mexico the Rams did ride,
Of a victory, Colorado State would not be denied.
Trent Matthews’ interception set up a score.
Nightmares of the option were no more.

A win and they’re in,
Back to a third straight bowl.
But another victory would keep them on a roll.

Into Fresno and the offense was “no-go.”
Thankfully, two touchdowns on punts Joe Hansley returned,
And with them the momentum he also turned.
Colorado State came back to win,
A school record for Bobo and his kin.

Finally, the first Arizona Bowl came calling,
Some found their opponent in Nevada appalling.
For the first time since 1979 did two conference foes meet,
But a win against anyone is oh, so sweet.

As it runs out, Nevada had other plans.
The ball, James Butler ran.
He dominated the defense of the Rams,
His first touchdown a spark, shazam!

In the red zone, CSU’s offense was sad.
A field goal was followed by a kickoff return touchdown; too bad.
The Rams again came back,
Jasen Oden’s rushing led the attack.
CSU led with minutes to play, but as KPL said,
“It wasn’t their day.”

Butler bruised, bashed and scored in a hurry.
Down five, with 58 seconds the Rams did scurry.
Nick Stevens found teammates inbounds where he completed throws.
For a touchdown CSU had to go.

In the end, the good guys came up short.
Back they flew with a loss to the Fort.

Still, it’s Bobo we like,
In Bobo We Trust,
Keeping around the world-class coach is a must.

2015 was truly a scene,
At times the Rams looked like a mean, fighting machine.
And now, the future forges forward.
To a prosperous 2016, we’re all looking toward.