CSU Football picked fifth in preseason media poll — here's why Ram fans should be optimistic

Colorado State was picked fifth in the annual Mountain West preseason media poll. The Rams were tabbed to finish just behind Air Force and just ahead of Wyoming. 

Unsurprisingly, in addition to having both the preseason offensive and defensive player of the year, Boise State was picked to win the league once again. The Broncos have eight conference titles since joining the Mountain West in 2011. And they are overwhelmingly considered the favorite in 2024 after receiving 38 of a possible 46 first-place votes. 

Outside of Boise State, UNLV (2nd) and Fresno State (3rd) were the only other teams to receive first-place votes. New Mexico (11th) and Nevada (12th), on the other hand, were predicted to finish last. 

Looking at the situation from CSU’s perspective, though the Rams are forecasted to finish right in the middle of the pack, there is reason for optimism this fall. In addition to playing seven home games and going up against seven first-year coaches in 2024, CSU gets to avoid the top two projected teams in the MW and play against the bottom three. 

Between a favorable schedule and the majority of last season’s starters returning — at least on paper — there is quite a bit to like about CSU’s position going into the 2024 campaign. The Rams had four players named to the preseason all-conference team, they bring back their quarterback and have more continuity within the staff than just about anybody else in the MW. 

Everything is in place for the Green & Gold to break through and return to the postseason for the first time since 2017. 

Rams represented on the preseason all-conference team

Wide receiver Tory Horton and center Jacob Gardner were both recognized on the preseason all-conference team. Linebacker Chase Wilson and safety Jack Howell each made the list as well.

Horton is looking to become the first CSU wide receiver in program history to record three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The 21 year-old star has been an absolute baller since coming over from Nevada with Jay Norvell. And he very well may go down as the most accomplished receiver to ever represent the Rams by the time that he’s done.

Gardner has started every game of his collegiate career and is coming off of a second-team all-mountain west selection in 2023. The veteran center been CSU’s most consistent offensive lineman over the past few seasons.

Finally, Wilson and Howell both being on the team makes a lot of sense after the productive seasons they had in 2023. The duo combined for more than 220 tackles last fall and really shouldered much of the responsibility on Freddie Banks’ unit. Howell has a chance to become the first player in CSU history to record three straight seasons with 100+ tackles.

2024 Predicted Order of Finish

1. Boise State 
2. UNLV
3. Fresno State
4. Air Force
5. CSU
6. Wyoming
7. Utah State
8. San Diego State
9. Hawai’i 
10. San Jose State
11. New Mexico 
12. Nevada 

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

(RB) Ashton Jeanty | Boise State

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

(DL) Ahmed Hassanein | Boise State

Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year

(WR) Jacob De Jesus | UNLV 

Preseason All-Conference Team 

Offense

(QB) Mikey Keene | Fresno State

(RB) Ashton Jeanty | Boise State

(RB) Malik Sherrod | Fresno State

(WR) Tory Horton | CSU

(WR) Ricky White | UNLV 

(WR) Jalen Royals | Utah State

(TE) | John Michael Gyllenborg | Wyoming 

(OL) | Kage Casey | Boise State

(OL) | Jacob Gardner | CSU 

(OL) Mose Vavao | Fresno State

(OL) Tiger Shanks | UNLV

(OL) Jack Walsh | Wyoming 

Defense

(DL) Ahmed Hassanein | Boise State

(DL) Devo Bridges | Fresno State

(DL) Soane Toia | San Jose State

(DL) Jordan Bertagnole | Wyoming

(LB) Andrew Simpson | Boise State

(LB) Chase Wilson | CSU 

(LB) Jordan Pollard | San Jose State

(LB) Jackson Woodard | UNLV

(DB) A’Marion McCoy | Boise State

(DB) Jack Howell | CSU

(DB) Cameron Oliver | UNLV 

(DB) Ike Larsen | Utah State

Specialist Teams

(P) James Ferguson-Reynolds | Boise State

(K) Jonah Dalmas | Boise State

(PR) Jacob De Jesus | UNLV

(KR) Jacob De Jesus | UNLV