written by Dave Hershorin

The CSU offense has achieved something all the great BYU and other MWC teams who have been ranked or respected never could. In 2002, they easily chewed up major-conference (Big XII, ACC, PAC-10) opponents regularly, unstoppable at times and only beaten by themselves, not superior play. Even the loss of Cecil Sapp should not deter this squad from reaching a similar potential, possibly not as dominant, but just as effective with a slightly different identity.

Most important is Bradlee Van Pelt and his unteachable, improvisational manor. He toned down his 2002 approach for optimum team balance, and it worked wonders. Van Pelt tried 30 or more passes in merely one game (at UCLA, a loss), and he threw just 7 INTs, only once throwing two in a game and five times tossing none. But he still exhibited the needed scrambling and thinking skills when the Rams had to rely on him. With Sapp gone, he will again be leaned upon to more frequently apply his innate abilities than when he has a feared back. But that should be a good thing. He has patience now, which he can use to throw the ball away or take the shot instead of costing his team with risky actions. That will produce less points, but, if Van Pelt can focus, more wins.

Back up sophomore QB Justin Holland throws clothes-lines as well as he does touch-passes. Any offensive dilemmas will result in his insertion, with Van Pelt in his senior year and Holland his obvious inheritor. This happened in 2002 often. Holland was the nation's top rated QB recruit when he declared and has the mechanics to lead CSU to the next level. Tutelage under Van Pelt will pass on those leadership tenets Bradlee has used to take this team its farthest ever.

The line returns experienced upper- and lower-classmen who will, like at QB, pass on enough unit experience to make not just this year's crew great, but the next few, too. Sapp's 4.6 yards-per-carry exemplify the lines ability. They are sized perfectly for both mobility and toe-to-toe toughness. And since already tested against top-conference opponents, these kids have the confidence to know of their high potential and take it to that next level. The schedule brings much smaller DLs (save Colorado) that should be dominate-able. TE Matt Bartz needs to bulk up so he can block as well as he catches - he is an important wild-card in a system missing a FB. He could line-up behind Van Pelt if the backs need help.

But the changing of the RB guard is the only serious Ram concern. Rahsaan Sanders inherits the 24th ranked I-A rushing attack from the unstoppable "Diesel". Sanders' size difference alone is the drop-off - Cecil was just as quick, with size for tackle-breaking not-to-be-matched by Sanders. He was out all 2002 with a lingering hamstring pull, a factor working against him having 13- or 14-game durability. He played DB, so his athletic skills are highly recognized. But back-up Tristan Walker will press him in preseason drills. This exceptional human specimen squats 505 pounds and vertically leaps 39 inches to give Lubick a Diesel-like option that can keep both backs fresh into fourth quarters, if rotated. Their one-back system screams for this to help keep the running game as viable and respected.

The receiving has been spotty, streaking hot-and-cold in 2002. The new look to the receiving corps will actually help these consistency issues. Now-departed Cuparri and Childs were responsible for this, making memorable, spectacular catches that were matched by as many dropped balls at crucial times. Their mistakes proved costly in losses, and the returning snarlers will fix this area's short-comings. Senior Chris Pittman leads a group boasting soon-to-break-out speedster sophomore David Anderson (also benches 300+). They are the promise we point to that will make this group more bankable than 2002's. And senior back up Eric Hill will compliment H-Back junior Joel Dreessen to prove the group as tops in their conference by season's end. Van Pelt and Holland can assure this.

The entire approach will differ as less consistency at RB and more at WR causes fundamental shifts in offensive expectations. Look for more passes (mainly shorter routes, but both Van Pelt's and Holland's arm(s) will stretch defenses regularly), as the air-attack will help usher in the running game's new look. If again feared, the running game will switch places and be the primary heat that makes their offensive knife go right through opponents' defensive butter. Teamed with a reliable receiving corps and experienced line, the offense will again be Lubick's pride and joy.

H Joel Dreessen

written by Dave Hershorin

The defense represented the Rams' biggest 2002 problems. Allowing 4.3 yard-per-rush was abysmal. No wonder, with no one over 300 pounds to neutralize more than one O-linemen and require double-teams. And the turnover doesn't bode well - replacement end Andre Sommersell comes in under 220 pounds, a drop-off from graduated 250-pounder Wallace Thomas. Smaller 2003 opponents make this issue not such a stressed concern, but still a vulnerable point, regardless. Both middle DL-men are 280-plus, size that is adequate for all but Colorado.

The LB corps is, too, undersized for this millennium. But they play big, often carrying the weaker defensive areas when needed. Leader Eric Pauly will be key to improving the run-stopping numbers from 2002. Their abilities to help the secondary cover the field need to be sharpened, too, though they are adequate as far as speed goes. It is their inability to react to play-fakes and cover the underneath routes that concerns coaches. Too many of their opponents big plays started out as short gains that then exploded to exploit just how out of position the LBs regularly were. They, too, have their work cut out, with Colorado, Fresno State and Air Force posing offenses that could easily exploit the Rams here. Back ups are all under 240 pounds, so, like the DL, size is not an option here. But all starters here are seniors, meaning the learning curve kicks in now or never - a promise this dimension has much improvement to come.

The secondary is again poised to rule opponents. Dexter Wynn is their all-around corner who makes opposing QBs throw away from his side regularly. He has make-up speed and senses for the ball rarely seen at any level, surely a future Sunday regular. But he gambles too often, either making or giving up the big play. Wynn needs to keep the play in front of him more so as to avoid constantly leaning on his super-human levels of performance just to save the day. Allowing under 210 yards-per-game through the air is a good basis for building confidence. These other DBs all have the size their front-seven counter parts lack. That means no player (besides the huge-playing Wynn) comes in under six-foot. There will be no physically superior receiving corps that will over-match them size-wise. You either get them out of position or get nowhere. Look for up-and-coming sophomore Ben Stratton to eventually give Lubick another shut-down corner. This crew will dominate most of the schedule's teams. It is through Wynn and Stratton's solid play that they can get an eighth player into the box - a step that can marginally (and eventually) change entire season's complexions.

LB Eric Pauly