Colorado State Football: Serious changes in 2020 just what Rams need
Passing game looks to be one of the top in the Mountain West
The Rams are looking to get a new offensive system established, which will be harder with the spring training being canceled.
This past season, the Rams were ranked 71st in the nation in points per game (28.1) and 103rd in rushing yards per game (132.2). The Rams were much more successful in the passing game than in the run game as they were ranked 14th in the nation (third in the Mountain West) in passing yards per game (305.3).
This season, the Rams will rely on established long-time starters and playmakers to lead them to their potential bowl berth since the 2017 season. The Rams will have one of the most productive passing games in the Mountain West with most of their top playmakers coming back.
Redshirt senior Patrick O’Brien will be inserted as the full-season starting quarterback. Last season, O’Brien passed for 2,803 yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions on 209 completions (out of 338 attempts). Offensive coordinator Joey Lynch will look to establish more productivity and consistency with the passing game as he did with the Ball State Cardinals in the previous six seasons.
The Rams return their top five receiving leaders from last season with two of them returning once again as starters in senior wide receiver Warren Jackson and junior tight end Trey McBride. Last season, Jackson caught 77 receptions for 1,119 yards and eight touchdowns as a great deep threat receiver. McBride caught 45 receptions for 560 yards and four touchdowns as a versatile route tight end. Both Jackson and McBride were selected as 2019 All-Mountain West first-team selections and were picked by Athlon Sports preseason first-team all-conference.
Lynch looks to establish more balance on the offensive side of the ball than what the Rams did last season. This will be difficult as they will be without their leading rusher last season in Marvin Kinsey. The Rams will have senior Marcus McElroy Jr. step up as the number one running back for the Rams this season. Last season, he rushed for 370 yards and three touchdowns on 80 carries as he is a bigger and bruising back at 5-11, 230 pounds. Jaylen Thomas rushed for 222 yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries last season as a true freshman. He may get more significant carries throughout the upcoming season.
The offensive line might be the position unit that puts the Rams in some deep trouble. The Rams only return two starting offensive linemen from last season in redshirt junior left tackle Barry Wesley and senior center Scott Brooks. Wesley is entering into his third season as the full-time starter after starting 24 consecutive games. He will be the leader of the offensive line and blindside blocker for O’Brien once again.
Juniors Cam Reddy and Joctavis Phillips are expected to battle for the left guard starting spot. Sophomore Ches Jackson projects to start at the right guard position after starting in the final game of the previous season. Reddy could be moved to the right guard position to relieve the weak competition at the right tackle position.