FORT COLLINS — Though various question marks surrounded Colorado State football, the thousands of eyes inside Canvas Stadium fixated on Todd Centeio above all heading into Week 1.

Considering CSU's bolstered backfield and Steve Addazio's offensive line expertise, the run game appeared as solidified as one could ask for while commencing a campaign.

On the opposite side of the ball, despite a suspect and banged-up backfield, assuming that the Rams' seemingly high-caliber front line could carry last Friday's defensive weight represented a fair assumption –– given the green and gold faced an FCS opponent in South Dakota State.

Hence, there was good reason to believe 2021's introductory outcome would hinge on CSU's caliber of play at quarterback –– and Centeio's ability to involve the squad's elite pass-catchers in Trey McBride and Dante Wright during his third-career start.

The Rams eventually fell to 0-1 following a lopsided defeat. But Centeio passed the test under center, which made the 42-23 loss all the more infuriating for Addazio's staff.

"I'm really impressed," Addazio said. "I wanted to see it under the bright lights, and I did. (Centeio) played exactly the way he played in camp. That's a real positive. But that's what's really frustrating me. When you have a quarterback play great and our playmakers play like they did, that outcome shouldn't have been what it was."

Granted, Centeio endured a crucial miscue when overthrowing a wide-open Wright down the field with an opportunity to gain an early lead. Nevertheless, upon completing 70% of his 43 attempts for 316 yards and no interceptions, the senior surely delivered his end of the bargain.

So, one might ask how CSU experienced utter embarrassment in front of the fifth-largest crowd in Canvas Stadium history. Well, David Bailey didn't look like the running back who hoarded 1,300 rushing yards over the past two seasons at Boston College behind CSU's jumbled offensive front.

And on the other end of the turf, coach Antoine Smith's defensive line didn't come close to resembling the unit that concluded 2020 among the nation's best in tackles for loss while struggling to plug holes as SDSU averaged 7.1 yards per touch.

"We missed simple assignments and gap fits on the offensive line," Addazio said. "We were out of position. We also should've dominated up front on defense, and we didn't. That game exposed problems we need to correct. You always wish you won and can find a way to correct mistakes along the way. But when you win, you kind of find a way to justify things. And then those issues show up later at an inopportune time. But we're on them right now. That's the good news."

As Addazio expressed, the Rams don't possess any leeway to beat around the bush as they prepare to butt heads with 0-1 Vanderbilt at home on Saturday night.

And since witnessing Canvas' first pandemic-present crowd shift from energetic to in the parking lot before the fourth quarter, CSU players haven't taken their business lightly over the current week of practice.

"I told our team we've got our backs up against the wall," Addazio said. "When my back's against the wall, I'm coming out swinging. And everyone in this program is gonna come out swinging. That's what I want to see –– an energy and intensity shift. Why? This program will never accept losing. Ever."

Though the Rams whiffed in Week 1, Las Vegas' oddsmakers believe CSU boasts favorable chances of knocking the ball out of the park as 4.5-point favorites versus the Commodores this weekend.

During Monday's press conference, Addazio described South Dakota State as a program that would "beat many of the lower-half Power 5s" while "competing week-in and week-out" if it participated at the FBS level.

So, where does Vanderbilt land on the spectrum? Well, last week, the Commodores failed to perform like a team that belongs in the FBS upon falling 23-3 at home against an Eastern Tennessee State squad which missed 2020's FCS playoffs.

Before limping to a forgettable Week 1 defeat, Vanderbilt posted its seventh consecutive losing campaign in 2020.

The 3-9 season sparked the hiring of former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea as the program's head coach. The Commodores also acquired Joey Lynch to serve as their offensive coordinator –– who held identical duties at CSU in 2020.

In light of Vanderbilt's colossal struggles, the Rams' upcoming opponent certainly doesn't surface as an incredibly daunting foe. Still, the trickiness associated with preparing for a team in Vanderbilt's transitional circumstance is worth noting.

"I think they're trying to develop their identity," Addazio said. "So I can't put my hand on everything we need to prepare for right now. We're preparing for a team that we have one piece of film on. We have to prepare for anything. That might be an exaggeration, but we're gonna see stuff that we didn't on tape."

Game-planning for the Commodores may constitute somewhat of a shot in the dark. Regardless, the Rams seem to be in line for a bounceback in many facets.

Notably, CSU's ambitious defensive front will battle a lackluster rushing attack that concluded 2020 as the NCAA's third-least productive group on the ground, averaging 110 yards per contest. Plus, the Commodores waved goodbye to their two top running backs in Keyon Henry-Brooks and Ja'Veon Marlow en route to totaling a measly 85 rushing yards versus ETSU.

If anything, containing Vanderbilt through the air arises as a potential challenge for the Rams defense. Gunslinger Ken Seals will call the shots under center after transpiring as a rare bright spot for the squad's offense via accumulating 1,928 passing yards in 2020.

Luckily for CSU, Addazio expects veteran defensive back Logan Stewart to return to his near-every-down role after playing sparingly against the Jackrabbits amid a lingering injury. With 103 tackles in 17 career games under his belt, Stewart should provide an immediate boost for a secondary meeting the task of hindering an upperclassman-laden wideout group.

As for Vanderbilt's defense, Addazio discussed how he anticipates the opposing unit to throw various coverage schemes at the Rams –– compared to an SDSU defense that primarily utilized basic rush-inhibiting formations.

Nonetheless, despite its variety, the Commodores arrive after allowing a disastrous 488 yards per game in 2020 –– and almost 400 against ETSU.

Simply put, Vanderbilt boasts more red flags than not across the turf. However, considering the Commodores will likely operate with a similar chip on its shoulder to CSU's, Addazio anticipates a tight-knit battle between two programs desperately hoping to right the ship after falling to an FCS opponent at home.

"(Vanderbilt) is in that same situation as us where they're trying to learn how to win," he said. "But they've got good coaches and good players. They'll be prepared. This will be one hell of a football game. Our guys have been busting their tails, and they're highly capable. It's my job to get them to competitive excellence."

Game at a glance

Matchup: Colorado State (0-1) vs Vanderbilt (0-1)

Kickoff: 8 p.m. (Saturday)

Where: Canvas Stadium (Fort Collins)

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: KARS 102.9 FM