What Is 2015 Colorado State Rams football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7–6 record under head coach Mike Bobo. They played their home games at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins and competed in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference.

Key Facts

The 2015 Colorado State Rams finished the season with a 7–6 overall record and 5–3 in conference play.
Head coach Mike Bobo led the team in his second season, following the departure of Jim McElwain.
The Rams played home games at Canvas Stadium, though they temporarily used Sonny Lubick Field due to construction delays.
Quarterback Garrett Grayson threw for 3,496 yards and 22 touchdowns during the 2015 season.
Colorado State lost to Washington State 20–14 in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Overview

The 2015 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University during the 2015 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Led by second-year head coach Mike Bobo, the Rams competed in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference, aiming to build on their 10-win season from 2014.

Despite high expectations following quarterback Garrett Grayson’s strong 2014 performance, the team regressed slightly, finishing with a 7–6 overall record and a 5–3 mark in conference play. They qualified for a bowl game but fell to Washington State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, ending the season on a low note.

Season Record: The Rams finished 7–6 overall and 5–3 in Mountain West play, placing third in the Mountain Division behind Boise State and Fresno State.
Head Coach: Mike Bobo, in his second season, maintained continuity after taking over from Jim McElwain, who left for Florida.
Home Stadium: Although Canvas Stadium was under construction, the team played home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins.
Quarterback Performance: Garrett Grayson threw for 3,496 yards and 22 touchdowns, ranking among the top passers in the conference.
Bowl Game: The Rams lost 20–14 to Washington State in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on December 22, 2015, in Boise, Idaho.

How It Works

The 2015 Colorado State Rams football season operated under standard NCAA FBS rules, with the team competing in a conference schedule, non-conference matchups, and a postseason bowl game if eligible. Player performance, coaching strategy, and recruiting all contributed to the team’s on-field results.

Offensive System: The Rams utilized a pro-style offense under coordinator Dave Baldwin, emphasizing quarterback development and balanced play-calling.
Defensive Scheme: Defensive coordinator Tom Mason employed a 3–4 base alignment, focusing on aggressive linebacker play and pass rush.
Recruiting Class: The 2015 class included 22 signees, with several rated as three-star prospects by 247Sports.
Non-Conference Schedule: The Rams faced teams like Minnesota and Utah State, testing their readiness for conference play.
Conference Structure: The Mountain West Conference used divisional play, with the top teams from each division advancing to the conference championship.
Bowl Eligibility: Teams needed at least six wins to qualify for a bowl; the Rams met this with their 7–6 record.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2015 Colorado State Rams compared to key conference rivals and the previous season:

Team	Year	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result
Colorado State	2015	7–6	5–3	Lost 20–14 to Washington State
Colorado State	2014	10–2	6–1	Won 45–10 over Washington State
Boise State	2015	10–3	6–2	Won 28–21 over Arizona
Fresno State	2015	6–7	5–3	Lost 30–20 to North Texas
Wyoming	2015	4–8	3–5	No bowl

The 2015 season showed a clear step back from the Rams’ 10-win 2014 campaign. While they remained competitive in conference play, offensive inconsistency and defensive lapses limited their success. The loss in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was particularly disappointing given their dominant win in the same game the previous year.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a transitional year for Colorado State football, highlighting both the challenges of sustaining success and the importance of coaching continuity. While the team remained bowl-eligible, the regression signaled deeper issues that would need addressing in future seasons.

Player Development: Quarterback Garrett Grayson improved but lacked consistent receiving support, affecting offensive rhythm.
Coaching Stability: Mike Bobo’s second season revealed growing pains as he adjusted the roster to his system.
Recruiting Impact: The 2015 class laid groundwork for future seasons but didn’t immediately elevate team performance.
Stadium Transition: The move from Hughes Stadium to Canvas Stadium created logistical and fan engagement challenges.
Conference Competition: The Rams faced increasingly strong Mountain West opponents, testing their long-term competitiveness.
Bowl Game Legacy: Losing the same bowl they won the prior year underscored the volatility of college football success.

Overall, the 2015 Colorado State Rams season served as a cautionary tale about the difficulty of maintaining momentum in college football. While they remained competitive, the team’s performance emphasized the need for deeper roster development and strategic adjustments moving forward.