While Tim Miles decamped for Nebraska in the off-season, he's left behind enough talent so that Colorado State shouldn't miss a beat. That is, at least according to the USA Today/Coaches Poll, which has the Rams one of several teams sitting right outside of the top 25 in the also receiving votes category as the season begins.
Colorado State brought in Larry Eustachy, who had completed a rebuilding job similar to Miles' at Southern Miss by leading the Golden Eagles to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over 20 years last season.
Eustachy is most well-known for his time at Iowa State, where he brought the Cyclones into the top 10 but was undone by a scandal involving his attendance at student parties.
If the Rams want to make a return visit to the NCAA Tournament, they'll need to play well in their only two non-conference games against BCS schools -- a Nov. 24 road date at Washington and a Dec. 5 road date at Colorado.