Colorado State dropped four spots in the AP Poll after losing to Saint Mary’s on Saturday.

Despite falling at home and snapping a nine-game winning streak to begin the season, the voters showed the respect they have for the Rams (9-1) by keeping them in the top 20.

The No. 17 ranking is CSU’s second-highest in school history after coming in at No. 13 the week before. It also marks the third consecutive week in which the Green & Gold have been ranked 20th or higher in the AP Poll.

In the program’s history, the only other time CSU has even been in the top 25 for three consecutive weeks, let alone the top 20, was in the 2021-22 campaign with David Roddy.

However, it should be noted that after starting 10-0 and finally cracking the AP Poll that season, the Rams did not play a game for three consecutive weeks due to a COVID pause. Then after a 67-59 win over Air Force at home to resume action, the No. 20 Rams were smoked 79-49 by San Diego State on the road, which ultimately dropped CSU out of the AP Poll until right before the NCAA Tournament.

This is the longest stretch that CSU has sustained a top 25 ranking while actively playing games in school history.

It’s also the first time that the Rams have ever kept their place in the top 25 after experiencing a regular season loss. CSU fell from 23rd to 24th after losing to Michigan in the 2022 NCAA Tournament but that was after already winning 25 games. The Wolverines making a run to the Sweet 16 also helped the Rams keep some respect nationally despite the first round exit.

It may not seem like a huge deal but the fact that the Rams not only remained ranked, but didn’t even fall out of the top 20, is a big sign of respect for the program. CSU has absolutely earned a spot in the top 20 with the 9-1 start and four high major wins. But we all know how the process works for teams that don’t say Duke, Kansas, etc, on the front of their jerseys.

The Rams are for real and the country just acknowledged it.