This might need been the most important surge of questions I've ever obtained for a mailbag.
The drama surrounding the Rocky Mountain Showdown adopted by a meek efficiency from the Colorado State soccer workforce in a 28-9 loss led to a surge of aggressive response from the fan base.
In per week the place the Rams sealed a transfer to a brand new convention, virtually the entire dialogue was in regards to the present state of the soccer workforce. That tells you the way important the priority is amongst followers.
Grab a drink and settle in, it is a huge one.
Briefly, within the 4th, it appeared like we noticed an actual air raid offense. I do not thoughts working the ball, however 9 factors ain't enjoyable. The game day expertise was superb, however the product on the sphere was atrocious. Norvell's seat must be scorching, proper? He has to make some type of modifications. (@DeuceCO)
How scorching is Norvell’s seat when contemplating his contract or different points that the common fan won't pay attention to? If he misses a bowl game is he out? If he has an embarrassing loss to somebody like UTEP or UNM is there a actuality the place he’s instantly ousted? (@lgisaiahstevens)
Do you really suppose they may eat one other buyout this offseason if they do not win a bowl game? Saturday was electrical. IMO the seat is hotter than most would suppose. (@gsincla970)
THE Q that issues: how a lot $ does CSU nonetheless owe Norvell and may they afford to fireside him? Observation: MUCH simpler to construct nice stadium than a profitable soccer program. (@80sWith)
Is Jay Norvell on the recent seat? What is his purchase out after this season? (@CraigMowers1)
Our AD and President appear actually dedicated to profitable at soccer. Where do you suppose they're with this loss. Where does Norvell stand? (@mediocrebiker)
All of those are a model of the identical query (how scorching is Jay Norvell’s seat?) however I included them to point out how overwhelming the priority has turn out to be. It may be very actual that many within the fan base are very apprehensive.
Norvell is 9-18 total at CSU, with an 0-6 document towards rivals. Yes, there are some mitigating circumstances (he inherited a prepare wreck) however wins want to start out stacking.
I wrote Saturday after the game that Norvell is underneath stress. The president and athletic director who employed him are gone, CSU is headed for a brand new league and new management has been aggressive in saying they need this to be a premier program.
President Amy Parsons and AD John Weber have proven they may make an enormous swing for one thing they consider in (see: transfer to Pac-12, Niko Medved contract). Pressure is on, little doubt.
Norvell has an enormous activity within the subsequent 9 video games. The buyout proper now's $2.5 million.
Is this a systemic challenge for CSU? We as followers have watched this story play out throughout a number of teaching staffs and groups. Can the administration get the prepare rolling in the suitable route? (@Kerryreyy)
Losing to Texas and CU is one factor, however the optics of how we misplaced these video games has to hold quite a lot of weight with this administration proper? (@Ramalumnus)
Yes, it has been a scientific challenge at CSU. The Mike Bobo extension was ill-conceived. The Steve Addazio hiring was mind-numbing. Now stress is on Norvell. There’s a cause a lot of the system that made these choices is now gone. Mediocrity (or worse) in soccer was the staple of the previous decade. It can’t be for the following decade.
This new administration is working onerous to repair these ills, however we’ll see over time what occurs.
And sure, I agree that the optics (particularly of the CU defeat) didn't assist Norvell.
Is there cause to consider the sky isn’t falling after that efficiency? (@brettmartine)
CSU has huge scheduling favors shifting ahead. The Rams keep away from the very best two groups within the Mountain West (Boise State and UNLV) and of the 2 Pac-12 leftovers (each MW workforce performs certainly one of them), CSU bought the simpler one in Oregon State.
There’s a path the place CSU comfortably handles UTEP this weekend, goes right into a bye and will get ready for Oregon State and takes down the Beavers with a great efficiency. Then it’s into Mountain West play with a ton of momentum and a winnable schedule.
Kevin, do you suppose Norvell and co. have what it takes to win huge video games? (@TrustyBrute)
At what level will our teaching employees out game plan the opposition to a win and to play higher than the expertise is, as an alternative of simply making an attempt to let the expertise be sufficient? We noticed a glimpse of that vs CU final yr, then let up on the finish. Haven't seen it since. (@CSURamT)
No, we haven’t seen them placed on nice performances in huge video games. The Boise State win in 2023 was big, but additionally fluky.
Most of CSU’s wins underneath Norvell have been extra the case of out-talenting a poor opponent.
What was that game plan towards CU? Was there ever any intent to win or was it to only attempt to preserve it shut for so long as attainable? Will we ever seen an offensive coordinator underneath Norvell? (@DSahimi)
Why does Jay are likely to attempt to make the video games as quick as attainable by working the clock slightly than making an attempt to win the video games? (@BrianABell1980)
Do you see Norvell relinquishing play-calling duties and giving them to Mumme? (@glizzydestroy3r)
Another glut of comparable questions that circle round CSU’s gameplans. Norvell stated Monday that, mainly, he didn’t suppose CSU might match up with Texas and Colorado. The Texas a part of that? OK, we will all roll with that.
But Colorado? Yeah, they've some top-end expertise however that’s not an ideal workforce. Many followers (based mostly on the texts and DMs I obtained Monday) didn’t just like the perspective. In my opinion, the offense has misplaced some id. I don’t imply the Rams should throw 50 occasions a game, however this hasn’t been working. CSU didn't set itself up for achievement towards CU.
Norvell appears to have shifted his mindset to be centered on controlling video games.
“I know what the top 20 teams do in this country. They play defense and they run the ball. We have to have some of that,” Norvell stated Monday. “It’s going to help us down the line. I knew we would play Texas all offseason. I knew we play Colorado all offseason, but quite frankly, I’m getting our team ready to play in our conference and to win in our conference consistently. We need to do those things to do that.”
He thinks CSU will now be extra set to win towards opponents extra much like CSU. He must be proper.
In a manner, I perceive the facility of a great floor game and CSU does have gifted backs. But the highest groups additionally impose their will on opponents with what they do finest. CSU has not finished that. The game plans have been to restrict alternatives for opponents nevertheless it doesn’t work whenever you don’t execute by yourself possibilities and CSU has been poor there.
CSU was too erratic final yr and Norvell appears to be making an attempt to achieve a maintain, however up to now it has come on the expense of any form of offensive rhythm.
On play-calling: This is the query I get most frequently and no, I don't at the moment anticipate a change in who calls the performs.
Please inform me that there’s some phrase across the program about sitting BFN down, Jay handing off play calling duties and so forth. There must be some modifications coming proper? RIGHT?? (@Russgotfat)
Let's discuss BFN. Confidence is nice, however his cocky feedback previous to and throughout the game have been a really dangerous look. More importantly, how has he regressed a lot? Missed passes, poor choices. Is Mumme in charge? (@tomtomverse)
I don’t anticipate a change at QB however there’s little doubt the turnovers should be trimmed. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and the passing game have been out of sync by means of the primary three video games. I feel a few of that comes all the way down to the parking brakes utilized to the offense, however some should come to self-accountability as effectively. I don’t care what the play-calling is or isn’t offering, an across-the-middle throw like that interception towards Colorado simply can’t occur.
If CSU’s cross game doesn’t begin clicking, preserve an eye fixed out, however I feel BFN nonetheless owns the job.
Is Matt Mumme in charge? That’s onerous to say. Obviously, when QB play is underwhelming it’s pure to look on the QB coach and there are too many errors being made on the place. The jury is out on this. I feel we’ll be taught extra within the subsequent three video games than we did within the first three. Let’s examine again on the QB scenario after that.
Where was the defensive stress? (@MikeCSURam82)
CSU has simply two sacks in three video games and doesn't get stress. Nuer Gatkuoth’s damage has not helped. This was certainly one of my huge considerations coming into the season and it’s proving true.
The defensive should create extra stress. The secondary will not be nice anyhow and it’s challenged additional when QBs get to sit down comfortably.
“My concern about our defense is that it’s our job as a defense to make their quarterback have a bad day. We have to be more disruptive, we have to challenge more balls. We have to play competitive defense and that doesn’t mean man all the time,” Norvell stated.
“You don’t have to play man coverage to play tight coverage, but you have to be aggressive and you have to challenge receivers. We have to have more of that. I talked to our kids about it and our coaches and we have to be more aggressive. That’s just the bottom line. We have to make quarterbacks have tough days when they play us.”
What does it say if Norvell refuses to let an OC name performs? Can Brayden scale back the turnovers? How a lot is play calling hampering guys on the sphere? Why doesn’t CSU expertise shine by means of (supposedly 2nd finest recruits in MWC)? Probable Path to 6-6? (@MikeCSURam82)
CSU doesn’t have an offensive coordinator, so it doesn’t say a lot of something. But the offense has been poor, so it’s honest to criticize. Whether it’s the pinnacle coach or an OC, play-calling is all the time scrutinized.
BFN, as talked about above, should lower down on turnovers. Better decision-making is required.
On roster expertise: “We played two pretty talented teams so far. Two teams that have invested a lot in NIL in the offseason. They’ve gotten better and we’ve got to find ways to continue to get better and not just hold on and maintain in that area in the offseason,” Norvell stated Monday.
It was a little bit of a random and odd shot at CSU’s NIL scenario (with Weber within the room, FYI). Yes, everyone knows Texas is enjoying at a special degree there. CSU’s expertise ought to present in the remainder of the schedule however a few of the seeming lack of progress after good (on paper) recruiting courses is a priority.
I nonetheless suppose bowl eligibility is sort of possible: UTEP, San Jose State, Air Force, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming and Utah State are all realistically winnable video games. I'm not saying CSU will win all of these, however there’s many attainable wins in there. Even Oregon State and Fresno State street video games aren’t fully wild to think about a path to a win. Again, I’m not projecting all wins however the schedule is so comfortable.
Are the QBs being coached out of seeing the sphere and simply throwing to the shortest route attainable? Seems that what made BFN thrilling to look at has been fully coached out of him. Now he's boring and nonetheless has turnover issues. Maybe a training challenge and never personnel. (@BledsoeBradley)
BFN (finish of final season and up to now this season) is giving me flashbacks to Millen earlier than he misplaced his beginning spot – uncomfortable within the pocket, a number of checking down, dangerous errors as he’s flushed. Is this a scheme challenge? A personnel challenge? Or am I hallucinating? (@Flickerbock)
How quick is BFN’s leash after this begin to the yr? (@Arazi_92)
Does Jay not belief BFN? (@mangtheram)
A bunch extra BFN questions. I don’t see the identical points as Clay Millen. Millen wouldn't look downfield after his first season the place he bought clobbered week-after-week.
BFN does, however he does get completely happy ft and misses some possibilities.
I will even say this: From the press field we get an ideal view of the sphere and, I let you know what, there has not been quite a lot of separation from receivers up to now this season. It’s not all the time on the QB. Sometimes guys have to do a greater job getting open. Sometimes play-calling must put everybody in a greater place to succeed. All of that's a part of it proper now, I feel.
CSU’s receivers should be higher. The play-calling must be higher. BFN must be higher. An upswing on offense wants to start out now.
Norvell was requested after the CU game if he trusted BFN and he had a one-word reply: “Yes.” It wasn’t a powerful assertion of help, however I learn the curt reply extra of frustration on the query than a scarcity of help.
How is it one of the productive backs on restricted carries (Morrow), continues to get minimal enjoying time? (@bleedgreen_gold)
Avery Morrow, to me, is your 4-minute drive again. He’s good for consuming clock and shifting chains.
Yes, he did bust a protracted (62-yard) run towards CU however usually he’s a short-yardage again. I feel you get diminishing returns with extra carries. If he will get 4-10 carries a game, I like how efficient he could be. If he’s at 20 carries, I feel it’s not as nice.
Justin Marshall and Keegan Holles are the extra explosive and down-to-down backs. Morrow has an necessary position, although.
Was I only one out of 40,099 at Canvas to be bummed w/ end result however see stable D (sure – these third & lengthy penalties & breakdowns w/ Hunter brutal) & balanced O? If Marshall doesn’t exit in Q2 & Horton observe, it’s a COMPLETELY completely different game. Sky ISN’T falling. 7-5 document (@RAMpaCoop)
To be sincere, I didn’t see this as a great game for CSU’s protection. They have been good early however that pale. Shedeur Sanders accomplished 73% of his passes for 310 yards, 4 touchdowns and wasn’t underneath a lot stress. A CU workforce that may’t run additionally averaged 5.7 yards per carry.
I do see a path the place the heavy run game early this season finally ends up resulting in a steadiness with good working and powerful passing, however we haven’t seen it but.
I do agree, like I mentioned above, that it’s silly to say the season is over. A game just like the CU one and all the things that got here with it's all the time going to result in overreactions.
JN's presser (Monday) seemed like he thought final yr's workforce was stacked. How then can we account for five Ws? None of that is adequate. Do you suppose 6-wins modifications the dialogue within the offseason? (@Parmelee_394)
I’ve listened again by means of his Monday press convention and don’t suppose he essentially stated CSU’s 2023 workforce was stacked, however he did spotlight some key losses in Mo Kamara, Dallin Holker and a few receivers.
I do suppose it was a failure that the 2023 workforce didn’t make a bowl. There was far an excessive amount of expertise for that squad to solely have 5 wins.
I feel six is an absolute minimal CSU should attain this season.
I really like a great rivalry however didn’t benefit from the feeling of this one for a lot of completely different causes. Do you suppose it’s good or dangerous for this system to not play them once more till 2029? (@ericmaxwell28)
This is an fascinating query. Generally, I feel the rivalry game must occur yearly.
Is it a great time for a breather? Maybe. Hostilities have been so excessive due to the coach beef, off-field social media nonsense and all the things that possibly a fast break is OK? I can see that.
Not enjoying till 2029 is simply too lengthy nevertheless it is likely to be good that regimes will change earlier than the following assembly.
Why is there no air left in our raid?? (@FoCoRamFan22)
Why has Matt Mumme turned silent on this offensive scheme? (@BrianABell1980)
I’ve written continuously that this isn’t a Mike Leach Air Raid. Especially this yr, Norvell is aiming for a extra balanced assault (granted, the steadiness has been out of whack up to now). I do suppose CSU will begin to air it out extra now that it's previous the Power 4 video games, however the run game will nonetheless be closely concerned.
I’ve interviewed Mumme this yr, so it’s not like he’s gone darkish. He hasn’t been tremendous lively on social media, however that’s what occurs with losses.
How a lot of a step up is the Pac-12 over the Mountain West actually? (@MassaJewSetts)
We’re greater than 2,500 phrases into this mailbag and hit our one and solely query about CSU shifting to the Pac-12. That tells you numerous in regards to the concern degree followers have in regards to the here-and-now of the soccer workforce slightly than the not-so-distant way forward for the brand new convention.
I feel as soon as it turned clear the Pac-2 weren’t going to totally merge with the MW, the college needed to bounce earlier than the MW bought raided. You wouldn't wish to be within the place {that a} faculty like Wyoming is in now. Wyoming might find yourself in a really watered down model of the MW. That’s not good.
The Pac-12 will probably be a greater total league than the present MW and should land about double the media rights deal CSU will get at the moment within the MW. No, it’s not a real Power 4 transfer nevertheless it’s a secure place to be.
Follow sports activities reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
