Monday Morning QB: San Diego State

You win one, you lose one. Not the method for winning championships. The Colorado State Rams won a game, but lost arguably their most important player Saturday night, and now, with the meat of the MWC schedule still to be played, what was already a tough road just developed a few more pot holes.

But all is not lost.

Recall how the Texas Rangers played this past baseball season after Alex Rodriquez was traded? Not only their best player, but probably the best player in baseball, and as soon as he left the lineup, they went from a last place team to contender. They did it not by finding a single player to replace A-Rod, but by having every member of the team step up and increase his contribution.

The Rams used the same approach in beating the Aztecs. Suddenly, the defense showed up, with crisp tackling and two game turning big plays. The running game was better, and the play of true freshman quarterback Caleb Hanie was solid. All three were, and still are, key ingredients to turning around this lost season.

Hanie was a particular surprise. There had been hope that he would be redshirted this season, but he emerged as the top backup to Holland earlier in the year, seeing his first game action against Montana State. Against SDSU, the freshman was 12-19 for 115 yards and a key touchdown.

The running game was aided by the power of the oft-injured Jimmy Green. who scored the winning TD Saturday night. (Where was that run when we needed it in Boulder???)

Now, it's time to focus on regaining the Bronze Boot, with the Border War at hand. Ironically, Wyo coach Joe Glenn has taken a page from Sonny Lubick's manuel, and is getting his guys to overachieve on the field. Wyo has been playing with a lot of emotion and intensity in building a 4-2 record, and they believe that Boot belongs to them. If the Rams come out and play with urgency and match Wyo's intensity, CSU should win on talent alone. But it will certainly NOT be easy.