FORT COLLINS — The Rams are 0-4 against teams that have combined to go 13-6 this season, including the No. 3 team in the country (Cal) and Colorado, the team that ousted last week’s No. 3.
The next four teams on the Rams’ schedule (San Diego State, Air Force, UNLV and Utah) are a collective 8-11. Three of those four games are at Hughes Stadium.
“(We) look to it as a real chance,” CSU coach Sonny Lubick said. “However, if we get foolish and start thinking ahead too much, then (we’ve) got a major problem.”
He admitted that confidence isn’t running as high as it would be with at least a win or two, but was planning to inspire the players by asking them to imagine a 60-second commercial of the positives.
As the losing steak has stretched to 11 games, CSU athletic director Paul Kowalczyk acknowledged some grumbling in his e-mail box.
“We have a lot of football left, and if we win the next eight to go 8-4, it will be a heck of a year.”
He understands everyone wants to see some wins. “It’s easy to bail,” Kowalczyk said. “It’s harder to remain strong and give solid support. If we sell out our next five games, our chances of winning improve exponentially.”
Footnotes
Lubick never misses opening day at Coors Field. So he found something to smile about Monday — the Rockies’ inspirational late-season surge.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle called Lubick a few days ago to offer support. While Lubick probably could have scored a ticket for the wild-card playoff game against the Padres, he ordered a rare Monday practice as opposed to brief, get-the-kinks-out running drills.
Lubick isn’t optimistic about safety Mike Pagnotta’s sprained ankle. …
It might take another week or two to get safety Klint Kubiak back in the lineup as he recovers from an ulcer. …
Jermaine Walters, who started at safety in place of Kubiak, will remain in the starting lineup. Lubick also said redshirt freshman cornerback D’Angelo Wilkinson will start to see some playing time. …
As if the program needed any more bad news, Kowalczyk said construction on the new indoor facilities won’t begin before the end of the year. …
Natalie Meisler: (303) 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
