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2008 conference record: 4-4, 5th

Returning starters

Offense: 7, defense: 5, punter/kicker: 0

Top returners

WR Rashaun Greer, WR Dion Morton, G Adrian Martinez, T Cole Pemberton, C Tim Walter, G Shelley Smith, S Klint Kubiak, LB Mychal Sisson, CB Gerard Thomas, DT James Morehead, CB Nick Oppenneer

Key losses

RB Gartrell Johnson, QB Billy Farris, TE Kory Sperry, LB Ricky Brewer, LB Jeff Horinek, S Mike Pagnotta, DE Wade Landers, DE Tommie Hill

2008 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Gartrell Johnson (1,476 yards)
Passing: Billy Farris (2,934 yards)
Receiving: Rashaun Greer* (1,114 yards)
Tackles: Mychal Sisson* (105)
Sacks: Tommie Hill (3.0)
Interceptions: Tommie Hill, Jeff Horinek (2)

Spring answers

1. Borcky could be key: Colorado State returns key receivers Dion Morton and Rashaun Greer, but the addition of T.J. Borcky, a former quarterback, might be key. Borcky can line up in the backfield for trick plays and he's also shown great hands. With tight end Kory Sperry gone, Borcky will be able to pick up some of those lost yards.

2. Secondary still strong: Although the defense lost most of its front seven, the secondary is mostly intact. Safeties Klint Kubiak and Elijah-Blu Smith anchor the group and corners Gerard Thomas and Nick Oppenneer missed the spring with injuries but will be starters in the fall. Their absence allowed Brandon Woods and DeAngelo Wilkinson, who was suspended last season, to add valuable depth to an already talented corps.

3. Experience on the O-line: The offensive line should be a strong suit for the Rams as the offensive linemen on the roster have combined for 125 career starts. When Fairchild does settle on a running back and quarterback, it will have a much more seasoned line in front of it this year than it did in 2008.

Fall questions

1. No QB stepped up: Coach Steve Fairchild called his quarterbacks "awful" and "embarrassing" after the team's spring game, and it's apparent that the Rams have a long way to go before they settle on a starter similar to last season. Senior Grant Stucker and junior transfer Jon Eastman were in the mix this spring, but Klay Kubiak, who was last year's backup, will be back in the fall after shoulder surgery and freshman Nico Ranieri will also have a chance to compete.

2. Running back also an issue: With the graduation of Gartrell Johnson, Fairchild has been searching for someone to take his place. He thought that would be junior college transfer Leonard Mason or John Mosure, but players such as senior Alex Square, walk-on Derek Good, and redshirt freshmen Jonathan Gaye and Micheal Connor are also in the mix. This is a similar situation that the Rams were in last year.

3. Linebacking depth: Jeff Horinek and Ricky Brewer, two of the Rams top three tacklers, are gone -- Horinek to graduation and Brewer to suspension -- and the Rams spent the spring looking to fill those voids. Mychal Sisson, the team's leading tackler, returns, but the team has to break in Alex Williams, Chris Gipson and Michael Kawulok to fill those key spots.