This is the very best that CSU can hope for. The world of college football appears to be slowly but inexorably moving to a division of the haves and the have-nots, this being determined strictly by the ability to generate revenue regardless of success on the field.
CSU as much as their core group of passionate fans would like to believe otherwise is a have-not. They averaged about 24k for home games the past couple of years and under 30k during their glory days. This despite ticket prices roughly half of the norm for most BCS level schools. Their seat license revenues, in stadium revenues (advertising, concessions, souvenirs, etc.) are also proportionately below the norm even for top-level mid-majors. In bowl appearances they don't travel well and their bowl ratings have always been among the lowest consistently on beating Sun Belt and some MAC schools. CSU has close to, if not the lowest football budget and athletic budget in the MWC, the investment in the product is not there.
If this all results in the eventual melt down and reformation of mid-major football in the western US, CSU is very likely to be left out along with their traditional rival Wyoming. Air Force is in a very strong position, with strong attendance, good road attendance, and good TV appeal. New Mexico, despite their recent bad records would come out ahead of CSU and Wyoming due to their monopoly on a fast growing market in Alb.
The question then becomes, does CSU in the long term try to remain a fringe program on the major college stage without the revenue internally or from league affilitation to maintain that status or are they forced to step down into the FCS level (former 1aa.)
In any case the Rams fans should be very nervous about what is going on.