Now that Fordham brought a national lens to the Patriot League, and a conference title to the Bronx, can it remain the team to beat?

By Rich Cirminiello | @RichCirminiello

The Rams have won 29 games over the past three seasons, but 18 starters are gone from 2014, including two-time All-American QB Michael Nebrich.

Fordham is basically starting over at every unit, which also means depth is going to be a concern. Fortunately, the backfield brings hope. Kevin Anderson transferred from Marshall to succeed Nebrich, and RB Chase Edmonds is the reigning winner of the Jerry Rice Award, given to the most outstanding FCS freshman.

Plus, the defense is welcoming back its heart-and-soul linebacker, Stephen Hodge, who missed all of 2014 with an injury. However …

For all the success of the 40-point-a-game offense, the Rams allowed 42 sacks in 2014. That’s a concern since three-all-league blockers have graduated.

If Anderson is going to have a chance in his Fordham debut, the team needs someone other than OG Garrick Mayweather to consistently keep the pocket clean. But that’s not the only issue.

With the loss of so many playmakers, the Rams can’t possibly be as dominant as they were last season. However, this is a program that attracts talent, is building a winning tradition and is led by arguably the league’s premier coach, Joe Moorhead.

Fordham cannot be counted out of the championship hunt, even if the journey is littered with hurdles that didn’t exist in 2014.

The Rams will win at least seven, while being in the title discussion in November.

What You Need To Know About The Offense: The Rams have won 29 games over the past three seasons, but 18 starters are gone from 2014, including two-time All-American QB Michael Nebrich. Fordham is basically starting over at every unit, which also means depth is going to be a concern throughout the fall. Fortunately, the offensive backfield brings hope. Kevin Anderson transferred from Marshall to succeed Nebrich, and RB Chase Edmonds is the reigning winner of the Jerry Rice Award, given to the most outstanding FCS freshman. Edmonds was FBS-caliber in his debut, rushing for 1,838 yards and 23 touchdowns. But the holes won’t be as wide now that the O-line is being retooled and massive two-time All-American has opted to finish his career at Florida.

What You Need To Know About The Defense: Heart-and-soul LB Stephen Hodge is back in the Bronx after missing all of 2014 to injury. After the linebacker corps, though, the Rams have far more questions than answers. Last season’s top four tacklers are gone, as is pass rush specialist Brett Biestek. Along with Hodge, Fordham will attempt to build around linebackers George Dawson and Marlon Crook, a 6-5 terror off the edge. In the offseason, the team added Jihaad Pretlow, who started nine games at Temple in 2014. But for all of the potential this program has in the back seven, it’ll be vulnerable at the point of attack. And if Fordham can’t win the line of scrimmage, it’ll once again allow more than four yards per carry.