With that in mind, you also can understand why there aren't that many folks - even the rabid football fans found in Fort Collins, Colo. - who are willing to take the most improbable of trifectas from a team that won only 36 games in the 1980s.

But despite losing four top defensive players to graduation, Colorado State head coach Sonny Lubick isn't ready to take his team on a tour of the bottom floors of the Western Athletic Conference just yet.

The fourth-year man welcomes back an overflowing locker room of offensive starters and a group of young lions on defense that should keep the Rams near the league's penthouse for the remainder of this century.

"We've already done something in just a few years that's never been done before here, and that's win two conference championships," Lubick said.

"Certainly, we lost a lot of talented players to the NFL last year, but we feel like we have some young talent coming up who can get the job done.

"Of our top 35 football players, only five are seniors. We feel like we've recruited some talented players, but they still have to prove it on the football field first."

Wide receiver Paul Turner caught 41 passes last season, nine of them went for touchdowns.

Obviously, Lubick has proved he's a winner in a short period of time. The former Miami assistant coach already has put together an impressive resume of accomplishments.

He has a pair of league titles, consecutive Holiday Bowl appearances, the highest winning percentage in school history (.657) and the school record for most wins in two seasons with 18.

Throw in the fact that the Rams are currently riding a 10-game winning streak on the road - the longest in league history - and it's difficult to count out the Rams in the Pacific Division this season.

"I think where it starts for us is offensively," Lubick said. "But as you all know, you can have the best offense in the country and not be very successful.

"We lost four defensive players to the NFL, which is a first for Colorado State, so of course we are depleted in that area. We're going to fill those holes, but with how much success I don't know."

The two hardest hit areas are the secondary and the defensive front. Gone are ends Brady Smith and Sean Moran, and defensive backs Ray Jackson and Jim Thorpe award winner Greg Myers.

Fortunately for Lubick, his two top tackles are back in Kirk Bowman and DeVaughn Hawkins, as well as all-league honorable mention freshmen Willie Taylor and Nate Kvamme at linebacker.

In all, Lubick welcomes back six defensive starters, but only one from the secondary in strong safety Steve Standifer. The cupboard isn't nearly as bare on the offensive side.

Lubick has nine starters returning, including what he calls the best tight end tandem in the league. Justin Shull and Eli Workman combined to catch 28 passes last year, but more importantly, provided key perimeter blocks for the Rams' running backs.

The top three of that group are senior Calvin Branch, and sophomores Damon Washington and Jaime Blake. Branch is a transfer from Iowa State, while Washington is the top returning rusher with 600 yards and two scores.

The receiving corps of Paul Turner, Jeremy Calhoun and Terrence Zenno is even more impressive. Turner was the big-play artist with 41 receptions for 678 yards and nine touchdowns.

Moses Moreno and Daren Wilkinson will likely share quarterback duties. Moreno completed 99 of 175 passes for 1,439 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Wilkinson hit 65 of 146 passes for 850 yards and six touchdowns.

"It's hard to argue that San Diego State and Air Force are probably the two top teams in our division, but I think we're right up there with them," Lubick said.

"We feel like we have some talented returning players and some young recruits coming up who can make an immediate impact. Winning the WAC for a third time would be extremely difficult, but it's certainly the goal of our kids and coaching staff."

Game day Oct. 5
Where Aloha Stadium
Starters back 16
Last meeting CSU 22, UH 0
All-time vs. UH 9-9