The last time Colorado State football won a Mountain West championship, cellphones had just introduced built-in cameras, Nelly’s hip-hop classic “Hot in Here” topped the summer music charts and the average gallon of gas sold for about $1.36.

A lot has changed in the 15 years that have passed since 2002, and the Rams are aiming for repeat history this fall.

CSU hosts Nevada at 8:15 p.m. Saturday for homecoming, and after six games, the Rams appear primed for a return atop the conference. Late to the Rams’ bandwagon? No problem. The following is a rundown of what you might have missed so far in CSU’s pursuit of a championship.

Nick Stevens: The league’s best quarterback? Move aside Wyoming’s Josh Allen and Boise State’s Brett Rypien, because at the halfway point of the season, Stevens leads the Mountain West in quarterback rating (150.9), passing yards (1,871) and passing touchdowns (14). He has yet to throw an interception in conference play. What’s more? The Rams are one of only five teams nationally to allow two or fewer sacks. You couldn’t ask for a better combination: A proven redshirt senior quarterback who rarely gets hit. Should Stevens remain healthy and continue at this pace into December, don’t be surprised if he becomes a potential NFL Draft board riser come April.

A stunning defensive turnaround. Last fall, CSU foes scored inside the red zone at a 93.6-percent clip — the third highest conversion rate in the nation. The 2017 improvement is dramatic. CSU has defended a total of 77 drives in six games, and only eight times has the opponent reached inside its 20-yard line, tied for the lowest total nationally. Of those eight attempts, three foes reached the end zone and two settled for field goals for a scoring rate of 62.5 (seventh-best nationally). In road games at Hawaii and Utah State, the Rams gave up a combined 14-first half points in a pair of blowout victories. Lackluster defense has been the thorn in coach Mike Bobo’s consecutive 7-6 seasons. This unit appears up to the task of keeping par with a talented offense.

Balanced play-calling and production. You might expect a prolific air offense to rely more on the pass than the rush, but not CSU. The Rams have 460 total snaps this season: 243 runs and 217 throws. And why not? Dalyn Dawkins averages 14.8 carries a game, Izzy Matthews chips in 12.6, and together they combined for 446 yards rushing in their last two games. Opposing defenses forced to respect the run leave their cornerbacks in single coverage against a deep receiving corps. CSU has three wideouts — Michael Gallup, Detrich Clark and Olabisi Johnson — with at least 20 receptions apiece. Gallup has been phenomenal with 114 receiving yards per game. CSU will be tested with more difficult defenses in the heart of league play, but the Rams have certainly passed the test thus far.

TOP 5: MOUNTAIN WEST POWER RANKINGS

1. San Diego State (6-0, 2-0): The Aztecs are the lone undefeated team in conference with statement victories against Arizona State and Stanford.

2. Colorado State (4-2, 2-0): The league’s most high-powered offense has two Power 5 losses, but has so far dominated in Mountain West play.

3. Boise State (3-2, 1-0): The Broncos’ usually dynamic attack ranks in the bottom half of the league in total offense, but they pushed Washington State to overtime in a loss and rolled BYU.

4. Wyoming (3-2, 1-0): Quarterback Josh Allen finally looked like a pro prospect in a blowout against Texas State, but if he doesn’t get better protection and make better decisions, it could be a long year in Laramie.

5. Fresno State (3-2, 2-0): After being blasted in consecutive weeks against Washington and Alabama, the Bulldogs beat conference bottom-dwellers Nevada and San Jose State.

NEXT UP

Nevada (1-5, 1-1 Mountain West) at Colorado State (4-2, 2-0 Mountain West)

When: 8:15 p.m. MDT Saturday

Where: Sonny Lubick Field

TV: ESPN 2

Radio: KARS-FM 102.9, KDCO 1340