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2006 Awards and Rankings: Top 65 Rankings

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So, here we are, the moment everyone has been waiting for. Like last year, we had considerable turnover in the top 25 with eight people departing and eight new posters entering. So, check them out, see if you agree or disagree with who is placed where.

Here we go...the top 25, counting backwards...

Top 25

25. I'm Your Huckleberry - It was a close call for IYH this year. While he is certainly one of the best creative writers on the board, his production and posting frequency slipped this year. His power ratings have fluctuated greatly through the year, seemingly sending him in and out of the top-25 over the past couple of months. But he put forth a strong push in the past couple of months with gems - including the very recent "1st Annual RamNation Group Photo", which helped cement his place in the final spot of the top 25. He usually registers a handful of posts that we keep in the annals for consideration as finalists for post of the year, and this year was no different. He had two of the top-five posts of the year, one of which took home top honors. How could a guy with such skill be left out of the top 25? We couldn't come up with a reason, despite his posting infrequency this year. We also cut him some slack as he endured a move out of state and transitioned into a new job. Despite his life changes, he still found his way in for the third straight year. He finished No. 19 in 2004 and No. 14 in 2005.

24. le alpe d huez -- It's the biker that you love to hate…Coming outta San Diego State…Rams don't like his profile 'cause Alpo kicks much style (sorry for the Sir Mix A Lot tune). We tried desperately to bump Alpo out of the rankings this year. He claims to detest his 25-horn logo, and we hate to waste one on a Buffalo/Aztec fan. But, if our cycling friend would ever cut back on his RamNation time, maybe we would drop him out of the top 25. But, as it is, we can help but leave him in. He's become "just one of the guys" who no longer comes to the board only to talk about college sports. He's a regular General Discussion Board dweller and we've all followed his progress as he's embarked on a months-long job search in which he has probably recapped for RamNationers dozens and dozens of his interviews. Alpo always has that smart-alec tone to him, but as we've pointed out in each of the past two years that he's been a top-25 finisher, his jabs and smack talk are easily interpreted as being in good fun. He's one of the funnier posters we have, and you never know what's coming next with him. With his return to the top 25, it marks the first time ever that three non-Ram posters have finished in the elite 25 in the same year. (Scroll down the page to learn the other two.) Since his Honorable Mention performance in his rookie 2003 season, he has finished No. 18 in 2004 and No. 20 last year. With his two-dozen posts/day average, we may not see Alpo fall from grace anytime soon. Better get used to those horns kid.

23. zjb58 - Zjb continues his dominance as the top student poster, as he earned the honor for the third straight year. Thankfully for other students, he graduates this year and will no longer be eligible for the award. He has been an excellent poster over the past three years despite his youth. In his rookie season, as only a sophomore in college, he turned in a magnificent No. 10 finish and then followed it up with a No. 17 ranking last year. He's going backwards a bit, finishing at No. 23 this year, but that's nothing to scoff at. Three top-25 finishes is a feat never before achieved by any other student and is unlikely to ever be topped. Most students have far too many more exciting things going on than to spend a lot of time on an Internet message board. How zjb spends so much time on RamNation we'll never know. Aside from school and social time, he also works many hours for Campus Television, and was a primary reporter for RamNation Pass this year. He's definitely a hard worker, and he loyally saves a good chunk of his free time for the message boards. One change we've noticed with zjb this year though is he gained a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Whereas previously he was more respectful to his elders and long-time RamNation posters, he has clashed with them much more often in 2006. His somewhat combative approach this year has hurt his likeability among the masses, and that hurt him a little bit in this year's rankings. But you can't deny his value to the board. He's smart, he knows his Ram sports, and he loves to talk about them. We'll see how he fares in the 2007 rankings as he struggles to find ample posting time while working a job in the real world. Regardless, congrats Zach on your graduation, and more importantly, your top-25 ranking!

22. RamShoreman - RamShoreman is the first of three rookies to crack the top 25 this year. He came to the board last summer with an edge to him. Previously hailing from Maryland, he has a love for the Terrapins, but also shares a strong affinity for the Rams. He is a sports nut and a student of the game, particularly football, but also knows his hoops. He's not the kind of guy you'll find on the General Discussion Board. He strictly comes to RamNation to talk sports, whether it be Ram-related or not. Granted, he gets more passionate about CSU topics and will debate to the death with any Ram fan who disagrees with him. He's the opposite of what some people call a "sunshine pumper". He often points out the flaws and areas of improvement needed in the CSU athletics programs, as well as celebrates when things are going well. RamShoreman has had some questionable moments that have required censoring from board monitors, but for the most part, he is a solid poster who brings intelligent opinions, debate, and conversation to the board. RamNation needs its comedians, creative writers, and every-day contributors, but it especially benefits from posters like RamShoreman who know CSU athletics and live for conversing about them.

21. CSU98 - CSU98 has been a lurker on the board basically since its inception. It wasn't until this year, however, that he actually started posting much. Our question is, why did he wait so long? CSU98 has been a great contributor, thanks to his knowledge, his sarcastic humor, and his optimistic outlook on CSU athletics. A lot of his posts are simple one-sentencers in the subject line, with a sardonic, derisive, mocking response to someone else's post. The style works for CSU98 because he's got a sharp, timely wit. Many posters employ the same style, but not all can make this voter laugh the way CSU98 does. He's also got a level head. While he's not immune from criticizing, he will call out posters who go overboard with their negativity. Having his balance, combined with his sense of humor, is a welcome addition to the board. Luckily for us, he's on the board just about every day.

20. Doc - We saw an edgier, more pessimistic side of Doc this year, and also saw his posting frequency drop a bit. That put him in danger of finishing outside the Top 25, but of course, he held strong enough - even during the slow offseason - to maintain his residency in the elite 25. Of course, he holds quite a bit of clout and prestige, and when in doubt, we rule in favor of such a powerhouse poster. The top-25 finish secures his place in history as one of just two people (Hall of Famer "Stalwart Ram is the other) to finish ranked in the top 25 in all six years of the poll's existence, and with this sixth straight top-25 appearance, he has secured an honor that has been a long time coming. Granted, it seems Doc has turned grumpier and grumpier, but a football season featuring a porous defense and suspect playcalling, as well as another disastrous basketball season must have sent the usually mild-mannered Doc to his wits end. The great thing about Doc though is that despite his disappointment, his dissension, he still shows up almost every day to continue talking and supporting his beloved Rams. RamNation's resident pediatrician may have lost his calm board-side manner, but he hasn't lost his touch to passionately converse about Ram athletics every day. This is Doc's lowest finish in his career. He landed at No. 11 last year, No. 4 in 2004, No. 11 in 2003, No. 8 in 2002, and No. 16 in 2001.And now, he has landed in immortality.

19. CSU Husker - This yuppie-hating poster has been knocking at the door of RamNation's elite 25 for the past couple of years. He ascended from his No. 41 in 2004 to a near-miss of No. 28 last year, and continues his climb to prominence with a solid performance this year giving him his first top-25 showing. CSU Husker was largely responsible for the "daily polls" that sprouted up, particularly on the General Discussion Board this year. Topics ranged from mundane to outrageous, and even started a trend that fellow 'Nationers mimicked in coming up with subjects that were to be voted "gay or not gay". Without question, CSU Husker is a diehard fan (most of you have probably seen the Photo Album picture of him wearing a green-and-gold painted pumpkin helmet during a tailgate), and thus he is well versed in all things CSU, but most of his true gems come on the General Discussion Board. He is one of the new young alumni, like his friend nateDiggsCSU, who have become major contributors to the board. Their young, yet-to-become-jaded outlooks and opinions are welcome, and their humorous, if not juvenile, wit does not get old.

18. Ramdom - My heart breaks for Ramdom some days. You can see him wanting so bad to get a good football discussion going, only to be shunned by fans who are more interested in checking out pictures of hot chicks or taking part in goofy polls. He'll try to break down Xs and Os, strategize player position changes, or talk about how the Rams' schedule lays out for the year. Then, he'll watch throughout the day as not a single fan responds to his post. Such is the life of a football guru junky who even during the dull offseason months wants to discuss every little detail of the Ram team. We love Ramdom because of just that. When all else gets out of focus, guys like Ramdom try to keep us on track. He is one of the more analytical posters we have, and he's also one of the most in-the-know fans we have. He often disagrees with coaching aspects, and isn't afraid to voice his dissenting opinions, which always make for great conversations. RamNation needs more "Ramdoms"! This is his second top-25 finish in his three years on RamNation after earning honorable mention honors in 2004 and a No. 13 ranking in 2005.

17. Three RAM Night - Three RAM Night finally rids himself of the large gorilla that resided on his back for the past couple of years. After receiving No. 43 ranking in 2004 that he deemed far too low, he threw a hissy fit that didn't sit well with the committee. He sulked for a few months before picking himself off the mat and began a campaign to prove his worth for 2005. His performance improved greatly and thus made a significant leap in the 2005 standings, albeit landing at an agonizing No. 26 and keeping him 25-hornless for another year. But in 2006 he came out strong, proved his worth, and earned every bit of this No. 17 ranking. His problem in 2004 was too infrequent posting. He picked that up last year, and also went with more than just the one-liners he is known for. He has treated Ram fans to numerous photo galleries he has put together. He also has a quiet sort of inside knowledge of the CSU program that he occasionally share and gives fans a slight look at. Our favorite posts are the sarcastic dead-pan-type comebacks he lays on posters he doesn't like. He seems like a harmless guy, but every now and then the East Coast heritage comes out of him and he has to lay the smack down. Congrats TRN, now don't rest on your laurels.

16. Camdog - Making his first appearance in the Top 25, Camdog earned his stripes this year by giving the board a large dose of humor. His worth isn't in breaking down the Xs and Os of the football team (although he'll complain about the playcalling like everyone else), but rather, his strength is in making us laugh. He's got a deadpan wit that is nothing short of hilarious most days. He is a regular contributor on the General Discussion Board where he excels in participating in non-Ram topic and off-color humor. His seemingly leisurely lifestyle conjures up the image that he's a happy-go-lucky fan who will golf, hang out with buddies, road trip to CSU games, browse the RamNation message boards all day, and maybe squeeze in an hour of work per day. He's a diehard Ram fan living in Arizona who is passionate enough to travel to several football games per year, and spend just about every day on the RamNation message boards. Camdog is slowly building himself into a well-known poster after a couple years of being overlooked and not even registering a blip on the rankings radar. He made a move last year by earning a No. 33 ranking and has followed that up with a big jump this year.

15. Stalwart Ram - Stalwart, one of our select few Hall of Fame members, has done what only two people in the history of the website have managed to do - finish ranked in the top 25 poll in each of the six years since its inception in 2001. He is arguably the best poster RamNation has ever seen, and even in his select HOF company, nobody has enjoyed the quality AND longevity that he has. Others have had more flashy seasons, but nobody has been as steady year in and year out. Remarkably, this is the first time he has dropped out of the top 10. Stalwart finished No. 5 last year, No. 8 in 2004, No. 4 in 2003, No. 1 in 2002, and No. 2 in 2001. That's FIVE top-10 finishes!!! So what was the reason for the decline in 2006? None really. Perhaps he's just such a constant, that as a voter, we almost take his presence and ability for granted. Others have risen up with great performances that have somewhat overshadowed Stalwart, but it should not diminish how good he truly is. He's smart, timely, funny, and knowledgeable. Not to mention, he effectively owns each and every Buff poster with his sharp rhetoric. He brings it all.

14. tweeter - By virtue of his vast recruiting knowledge and insights on current personnel, "tweeter" will always be a strong candidate to finish in the top 25. Heck, frankly he'll always be a lock for the elite 25. Some of you may have missed some of tweeter's greatest work this year, as a large portion of his posts went on the RamNation Pass board for our subscribers. But, he scooped at least half of the 2006 recruiting class, maintained a current in-depth database of prospects, and kept all of us in the know on recruiting issues via the message boards. He also is the first guy questioning posters will go to find the answer to player-personnel issues, because tweeter has a solid understanding of players' strengths and positional history, as well as understands the game and knows what coaches may be thinking. RamNation is fortunate and blessed to have someone so knowledgeable and interested in CSU recruiting. Otherwise, we could all be left much more in the dark. This is tweeter's fifth straight finish in the top 25 (No. 15 in 2005, No. 6 in 2004, No. 7 in 2003, and No. 19 in 2002). Only "Doc" and Hall of Famer "Stalwart Ram" have more top-25 finishes, and tweeter could very well be ticketed for the Hall of Fame himself in the coming years.

13. RAM SMITH #24 fan - Ram Smith earns an impressive rating despite a serious spell of horrific negativity this past winter, primarily fired towards Dale Layer and the men's hoops coaching staff. His anger over a late-season basketball collapse and more player transfers sent Smith in a fit of rage. But, we sorta respect Ram Smith for it because he doesn't mince words and stand by his strong beliefs. At least we know he cares, which is more than can be said for many CSU basketball "fans" lately. Ram Smith's dark days are often overshadowed by his good qualities. He is well in tune with what is going on in CSU athletics, well-informed to make solid posts and arguments, and also creative in the way he delivers his message. He's imaginative in the way he authors his posts, and has written some of the better posts we've seen in the past few years. He always has a few posts that are in the running to be finalists for Post of the Year, and even his less-intensive posts are must-reads. He's not loved by everyone, but he's a solid contributor to the board. This is his third straight Top 25 finish, taking No. 25 in 2004, No. 17 in 2005, and now his best-ever ranking at No. 13.

12. I got a fevah (formerly "Ramfucious") - Fevah changed his name shortly after the 2005 rankings came out, giving a nod to the great Bruce Dickinson. Fevah has got what appears to be a dynamite posting ability. He posts like the rest of us - one key at a time - except when he posts, he earns gold #25 horns. He really explores the message board space. We'd like to say we've gotta have more "I got a Fevah", but that may be impossible since he already spends so much time on the boards. According to our stats, Fevah has accessed the message board more than any other RamNation poster over the past several years. Don't tell his boss. Fevah doesn't just spend a lot of time here, he spends quality time. We enjoy his opinions, his rants, and yes, even his quirks (i.e., occasionally ripping people for using smiley faces in posts, for too much butt-kissing, and for bad playcalling). Fevah is a big-time contributor to the General Discussion Board and finished runner-up in the Top GDB Contributor category this year after earning the top honor in 2005. We don't know what Fevah's handle will be for 2006-07 (he's changed his username three times in the past three years), but as long as he doesn't change his posting style, we'll be happy. This is his highest ranking ever, after back-to-back No. 23 finishes in 2004 and 2005.

11. nateDiggsCSU - Oh how our young pup has grown up. Nate first graced the board with his presence under the name nateDiggs420 a few years ago while a student. We've been by his side as he graduated, sought out his first job, quit that job, moved to Washington DC, and secured a new job there. Despite turbulent year, Nate hasn't let his presence on the RamNation board wane. He has become one of this voter's favorite posters, not just for his CSU talk, knowledge, and passion, but also for his sense of humor and strong opinions on a variety of topics. He's a regular on the General Discussion Board, and that's where we've learned all about his life progression, not to mention dating exploits and even such details of water levels in the toilets where he now works. Nate is a great poster who first made waves when he finished ranked as the third-best student poster in 2004. He took runner-up honors for that award in 2005, but also cracked the Top 25 (at No. 25) for the first time. He vaults 14 spots this year for his best performance ever.

10. Bunsbuggy - Buns will always be regarded as one of the funniest, most entertaining posters that we have on the board. He can be brash, rude, and often controversial…and has even caused a few board-monitoring headaches for RamNation Staff. He has been known to toe the line of decency, but has learned not to cross the boundaries…sort of. Buns is an acquired taste. Not everyone enjoys his posting style, and he constantly acts like a sixth grader with a substitute teacher. But even when calling out a fellow poster, or going on one of his typical rants, he's harmless and he'll make up for his erring ways with several gems a day that will have you rolling with laughter. He can quip quickly uses his snide little attitude to get under the skin of those he clashes with. He's Eddie Haskell-ish, but with more redeeming qualities. Still, his finish this year may be considered a disappointment in his eyes, after landing an impressive No. 7 and Rookie of the Year honors in 2004 and following it up with a No. 3 ranking last year. But he has proven to be a reliable, entertaining poster that has finished in the top 25 all three years that he's been on the board.

9. TD Elvis - Once a regular visitor to RamNation under the name Ram Slam, TD Elvis then disappeared. After a near-two-year hiatus, he returned in 2004 to earn Comeback Poster of the Year. He finished No. 10 in 2005 and once again has cracked the Top 25. He's a regular poster who brings humor (sometimes raunchy) and good conversation. He is opinionated, albeit a tad overly negative when discussing CSU athletics, but it's always good to have a little dissention. That dissention is also sometimes aimed at fellow posters, which can, to say the least, get the juices flowing and cause major debates on the boards His true value comes on the General Discussion Board, where he spends most of his time and partakes in heated non-Ram topics. I guess we do also have to give him a little credit for his Elisha Cuthbert and Kate Beckinsale photos.

8. 80sRamFan - 80s is a guy we struggle with every year. We try not to encourage the overly negative posters who constantly bash the athletics programs and even individual players, which is what 80s is known for. He can be overly negative, sometimes condescending, usually combative, and occasionally annoying. Sure, 80s has his bad moments, but he also has some good ones that can make up for his shortcomings. 80s is probably one of the least popular posters we have (although several people have proclaimed to be fans of his), but you cannot argue that when he posts, he draws a large amount of attention and responses. He can liven up an otherwise dead board, and spark debate. He also has his infamous "sources", which have given him some pretty memorable scoops, but also occasionally left him with egg on the face. Regardless, when he posts, it's entertainment. He also has comical moments and links to interesting non-topic stories, not to mention the ability to post interesting images (i.e., women). This is 80s' third Top 25 appearance and highest finish ever. Maybe we're just buttering him up for a donation since he just landed a $100 million client? Nah…he earned it.

7. JoeybtherealAD - It has been a rollercoaster ride for JoeyB. Since his runner-up finish in 2003 and No. 1 ranking in 2004, JoeyB plummeted to No. 50 last year. A change in jobs and new baby will do that to you. It definitely appeared that Joey was struck by the No. 1 curse that has befallen other former top-ranked posters. But, Joey refused to let the curse hold him down for a second straight year. The rollercoaster career Joey has enjoyed also somewhat describes the type of poster JoeyB really is. He can disappear for a week, but then return with 150 posts in a day. He'll be in a jolly mood one minute, and then turn into a raving lunatic the next. He'll go to lunch and have a good time with CSU athletic department staffers, only to return to his desk and lambaste the department on the message board. Can you say bipolar? That's what we like about JoeyB though. You never know what you're going to get from him. The Pabst-Blue Ribbon drinker brings an energy to the board, which particularly in the offseason or down periods, is extremely healthy to keeping the board active. He provokes good conversation, provides many laughs, and entertains with his countless stories (most of which, by the way, are purely made up). He also serves as a great ambassador for CSU, the Ram Club, and RamNation in general. His New Jersey bark is much worse than his bite, as he's actually a light-hearted, fun poster to read. That's, of course, when he's somewhat coherent and halfway sober.

6. DubyaWhyOh - Lightning has struck twice for our dear Dubya. He lands at No. 6 for the second straight year after yet-another solid season of posting. If he finishes there again next year, we may have to check for the number of the beast on his scalp. After all, he is a fan of the hated Wyoming Cowboys. Dubya joined RamNation in the early summer of 2004, and got off to a bad start among Ram fans, drawing enough ire to be considered a finalist for Most Hated Poster Award in just a couple months. In the subsequent two years, he has evolved into a much more endearing poster as he has become less combative and "just one of the guys". Consequentially, Ram fans have accepted him and his Poke-loving ways, and some days, you don't even remember that he is a fan of the enemy. He has shared beers along side Ram fans at the RamNation tailgater and is a daily contributor to the board. He's funny, he's smart, and he engages in great sports talk. With back-to-back No. 6 finishes, he proves that last year wasn't a fluke and that he will remain a force to be reckoned with on RamNation. Could the unthinkable ever happen - a Poke fan at No. 1? Unlikely, but he's certainly one of the best we've got. His No. 6 finish last year made him the highest-ranked non-Ram poster in the site's history, edging Buffsin2004's No. 11 ranking in 2004. With this second straight No. 6 ranking, it appeared he'd hold onto the honor. BUT, as you can see, that has now been broken again by this year's No. 5 poster…

5. LoboDogg - What has this world come to when two of the top six RamNation posters are non-Ram fans?! LoboDogg steps in one spot higher than Dubya Why Oh, and does so in impressive fashion - as a rookie! At RamNation, we encourage and welcome both friends and foes to come in and become part of the community. Sometimes that backfires with occasional moronic flamers, but other times, we are pleasantly surprised by gracious non-Ram fans who provide great value to the board. LoboDogg, who moved to Fort Collins from Albuquerque this year, is unquestionably one of those posters. He is a first-year poster, and we gave him strong consideration for the Rookie of the Year Award, barely falling to runner-up. He understands he is in an opponent's domain, and therefore is respectful to fellow posters. Yet, he can also throw good-natured smack around when warranted. He is level-headed, enjoys engaging in MWC talk, and can contribute to Ram-related threads. But, his best trait may be his sense of humor…and the explicit stories of his sexually active life. He now owns the title of the highest-ranked non-Ram poster of all time, besting DubyaWhyOh's No. 6 ranking each of the past two years. His top-five ranking marks just the fourth time ever that a rookie has finished in the Top 5. BVP for Heisman 03 did it in 2003, Babybull did it in 2001, and you'll find out who the fourth is next…

4. TheQears! - Qears burst onto the scene this year and quickly became one of our favorite posters. Combining humor with a vast array of knowledge, he peppered the board on a regular basis. He has shown a sophisticated intellect when it comes to Ram athletics, as well as other non-Ram-related sports topics, such as Rockies, Nuggets, Broncos, Avalanche, college baseball, and more. He posts so often, we have to wonder whether he actually has a social life. Friday nights, Saturday nights, you name it, he's seemingly glued to his computer monitor, even if nobody else is there to chat with him. Qears rarely engages in flame wars, choosing to remain light-hearted and friendly. It's not often a newcomer can command immediate respect, but Qears has achieved just that. His soft demeanor and daily sports conversation make him a welcome read. His solid 2005-06 season has earned him Rookie of the Year honors, which combined with this top-five ranking puts him in elite company. He and LoboDogg (one spot below at No. 5) are the first rookies to crack the Top 25 since Swoll Cracker (posting as "Go Duke" back then) earned an impressive No. 6 finish in 2003. BVP for Heisman 03's third-place finish in 2003 is the only higher-ranked finish for a rookie.

3. BVP for Heisman 03 - After back-to-back runner-up finishes the past two years, BVP for Heisman made a bid for the top spot again in 2006. But, BVP4H03 may be too smart for his own good. Make one misstep of the tongue, and he won't let you forget it. Good SHEP, the esteemed leader of our voting committee was on the front-end of his latest ripping, for awkwardly making mention to a "knowledge zone". BVP4H was perplexed by the term and hasn't let SHEP forget about it. Not a good idea to irk the voting committee in the months leading up to release of the polls. All joking aside, BVP4H03 is a poster that people like to read (with the lone exception of bunsbuggy!). He can be funny and is an exceptional story teller, but he more often than not displays his true strengths when analyzing the Rams. Whether it be football or basketball, his knowledge of Xs and Os and team personnel makes him a fun read. He showed signs of extreme bias this year when the topic of his No. 1 man (Bradlee Van Pelt) came up questioning BVP's ability to quarterback the Broncos, but he wears his opinions on his sleeve and will defend them to the death.

While 2006 may be considered a disappointing year for him since he was gunning for the top spot only to drop one in the polls, he is still unquestionably one of the best posters of all time. Question is, will he ever get over this Buffalo Bills-esque hump and quit playing second fiddle? He's earning his stripes as a Hall of Fame candidate, and should he ever land that top spot, he could become a shoo-in. After he finished No. 3 in 2003, the highest-ever ranking for a first-year poster (thus earning him Rookie of the Year honors) he posted back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2005. Now with another Top 5 finish, he ranks right up there with the top posters in RamNation history. He's certainly one of this voter's favorites. Just thought you'd like to know.

2. CAM's Chorizo (formerly cuscks2) - CC made a good jump this year, leapfrogging a powerhouse and setting his sites on the top spot in future years. We like CAM's Chorizo a lot, although there are times-like recent weeks-when he goes through grumpy phases and clashes with just about everyone on the board. But, there aren't many fans more passionate than Chorizo. For one, there aren't many folks who access the board as often as he does. According to our stats, he is second to only "I got a fevah" in board accesses over the past few years. He is a daily poster who brings knowledge, strong opinions, and a breath-of-fresh-air optimism. Case in point: While 99 percent of Ram fans were ready to lynch Dale Layer the past couple of years, Chorizo kept his steadfast support for the embattled coach and his staff. While a continued decline in the basketball program lessened his defending of the staff, his positive support did not wane. Even when he agreed that changes probably should be made in the program, he said so with class and a couth that many of us lack. Sometimes, we admit, his arguments can be so off-the-wall that we wonder if even HE believes what he is posting. But, regardless, his stick-to-itiveness is admirable. His argumentative, cocky "I'm always right" style no doubt rubs some people the wrong way. And, even this voter is often on the opposite side of Chorizo's arguments and beliefs, but we give extra credit for passion, mass quantities of posts, and a wealth of Ram knowledge and humor added in. Chorizo knows the football and basketball programs inside out, and will also engage in hotly debated topics on women's basketball (is there really such a thing?). He's a well-rounded poster that since joining the board in 2004 has been a fixture in the Top 25. He finished No. 15 that year - a season in which he was a finalist for Rookie of the Year (which he still whines about not winning to this day)-- and an impressive No. 4 last year.

1. Swoll Cracker - For the first time ever, we have a repeat champion. Swoll Cracker, the former "Go Duke", retains the top spot thanks to his vast array of sports/CSU knowledge, his cordiality, his sharp wit, and his steadfast presence on the message boards. After earning the honor in 2005, he kept chugging away this year, going through a summer of gains and producing a season that is as insane as his overhead press. Swoll carries significant clout when he posts, as people respect his wisdom and his opinions, even when disagreeing with them. He was also a big-time contributor to the website when he served as the men's basketball beat reporter for the RamNation Pass subscription. His coverage was unsurpassed by anyone in the media, primarily because he knows hoops better than anybody, and worked harder than anybody. Those traits are what make him the best poster in RamNation.

What's most impressive is that he avoided the No. 1 jinx that has haunted previous champions. After earning the top spot in 2001, RAM-I-AM took a new job and fell to No. 11 in the rankings in 2002. He hasn't finished in the Top 65 since then (although, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year). After a stunning 2003 year for Whammy Rammy that had him as the No. 1 poster, he earned a new job and dropped to No. 30 the next year. He was a mere honorable mention selection in 2005, and has been completely absent this year. In 2004, JoeybtherealAD took the top spot, but had a job change and plummeted to No. 50 in 2005. Only Stalwart Ram (inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005) has been immune to the No. 1 jinx. Since taking the top spot in 2002, he has finished in the top 10 each of the last three years.

Cracker, meanwhile has cemented his future as a Hall of Famer. He has just completed his fourth full year [change criteria to five years?], making him eligible for the Hall going forward. He has finished in the top six in each of his years since coming aboard in the summer of 2002. Prior to his top finish last year, he took third in 2004 and sixth in 2003 (a year in which he was a finalist for Rookie of the Year). He is now known as one of the best posters ever to grace this board. Congrats Swoll!

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Near Misses

26. Ram Fan 1 - Was oh so close to cracking the elite 25. He made the top 65 list (No. 48) back in 2003, only to drop completely out of the rankings in 2004. He came back strong with much more frequency and quality in 2005 to earn a respectable No. 35 ranking and appeared to have cleared the hurdle for some 25-horns this year, but was edge by "I'm Your Huckleberry's" late surge. We feel bad for this heavy metal-loving poster because he's been great this year and has been a dominant presence on the General Discussion Board.

27. Newport Coast Ram - It just doesn't feel right leaving out Newport Coast Ram. This is only the second time in five years that he has missed the top 25. He had three consecutive top-10 finishes from 2001-2003, landed No. 35 in 2004, and returned to the top 10 last year. With increased competition this year, Newport's usually conspicuous posting failed to stand out as much as usual. He's still a stellar poster, and No. 27 is nothing to scoff at.

28. Dall Ram - This Hall of Famer just missed this year, and has now gone three straight years without finishing in the top 25. His last elite-25 ranking was No. 24 in 2003. He was No. 2 in 2002 and finished No. 3 in 2001. He's still one of our favorite posters though. His lengthier creative posts of old are noticeably absent, but his one-liners and quick wit have not waned.

29. JoninAZ - One of the most creative posters of all time, it's tough to not see JoninAZ in the Top 25. He regularly has contributions to the Post of the Year finalists, and this year was no different. His somewhat infrequency of posting is mostly to blame for his non-top-25 finish this year.

30. RambleOn - Our second resident recruiting expert (behind only Tweeter) is always solid. This year's ranking is a bit shocking though, considering it's the first time ever that he has finished outside the top 25. His posting frequency went down a bit this year, and he didn't seem to engage in as much recruiting talk as usual which is what we enjoy about him the most.

31. Peanuts the Bulldog - Amazingly, Peanuts finishes in the exact same spot as last year. He's a quality contributor who often has inside information on CSU athletics and a unique insight to provide to us less-informed Ram fans.

32. Buffsin2006 - Still regarded as one of the best non-Ram posters, he now has considerable competition from fellow non-Rams. He's friendly and knows the Rams almost as well as he knows his beloved Buffs. He has finished in the Top 65 all six years of the poll's existence, and has two top-25 finishes.

33. Kit Karson - If he had more time to post, he'd certainly soar in the rankings. We enjoy and respect his thoughts and opinions on CSU football and basketball. His analytical breakdowns are always engaging. This is his third year in a row on the outside looking in, but he does have one top-25 finish - back in 2003 (No. 16).

34. Ram Sack - Ram Sack always finds the most obscure Ram-related articles buried in the depths of little-known online newspapers across the country. He also keeps us in tune with basketball recruiting.

35. Trophy Ram - Trophy Ram is always a fun read, particularly when he goes off on people on the General Discussion Board. He's a great contributor during season on the Athletics board as well.

36. Montana Ram - A very solid poster who dropped out this year. Usually a major contributor during season, his production has fallen off a bit during the offseason.

37. Ram_Buck - Has as much longevity on this site as anybody. He was once a powerhouse, with three top-25 finishes, including a career-best No. 7 ranking in 2001, but has missed the top 25 for three years straight now. He still has a lot to offer, but doesn't post quite as much as he used to.

38. CSpringsRam - As a former football staff member, he knows his stuff and is a solid contributor.

39. Ro Sham Bo - Nothing about him makes him stand out from the rest, but he's a regular poster with a level head who is always worth a click.

40. Mountain Ram - Has posted a bit more this year than he did in 2005, thus climbing out of the Honorable Mention ranks and into the Top 65. He has one top-25 finish (No. 21 in 2004) and four top-65 finishes.

41. bcover11 - Was considered for "best student poster" honors, but didn't quite have the posting frequency to accomplish that. Still finished runner-up in that category after taking third-place in 2004. It's great to have a passionate, knowledgeable student participating on the board.

42. Shiner (formerly Shiner a Bock) - Matching his best ranking ever, Shiner had a solid season, with interesting opinions and good discussions.

43. RamFan1980 - Makes his first top-65 appearance after finishing as an Honorable Mention selection in 2005. The difference this year was much greater participation. He's a daily poster with sometimes hilarious comments. And, he probably posts just as much on the General Discussion Board as he does on the Athletics board.

44. Olympic Oak - We're intrigued by this guy's interest and knowledge of CSU history. Formerly known as "Fort Freak Geek", he changed his name to commemorate the "missing" tree that was originally planted on campus by CSU legend Glenn Morris, who received the tree from Adolf Hitler in the 1936 Olympics. OO is a solid contributor no matter the topic and a great statistician. He's finished in the top 65 five times and has one top-25 ranking (No. 24 in 2004).

45. Inverted Ram - Inverted was hot and cold this year. He started off like a banshee, posting out of control on every topic, and was also a big-time General Discussion Board frequenter. He's been noticeably absent over the second half of this year, but his solid work early on should not be forgotten. He has three top-65 finishes, and one top-25 finish (No. 24 in 2005).

46. Phi Slamma Ramma - He now owns four finishes in the top 65, but this one might be disappointing for him after edging so close to the elite 25 last year at No. 29. He was a solid poster yet again, but this was a very competitive year.

47. Scooter Ram - Scooter Ram simply needs to post more. But, part of his allure is the fact he doesn't post all that often, and so when he does, you know he has a purpose. He often has scoops and excellent inside information on CSU football. He's also our resident guru on football fields. This is his second straight year outside the top 25 after making an appearance in 2004 (under the name Jedi Ram).

48. sacRAMento - Probably would have finished much higher this year, but disappeared for much of the last few months. During season, he's a solid contributor and now has three straight top-65 finishes.

49. Young RAMC - Historically a solid, daily poster, he flubbed a bit this year, and particularly in recent months. He dropped a bit from his near-miss No. 27 in 2005. History has shown that he is prone to late-season collapses, as it caused the voting committee to mistakenly omit him in 2004 (he was later placed on the Honorable Mention list for that year). This is his third top-65 finish however.

50. Zstory - A recent graduate, Zstory went on a bit of a rampage this year, posting regularly and making us laugh a lot. He's a younger fan who knows CSU athletics, and he was fun to have on the board this year. It's his second straight top-65 finish.

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Full List of Others Receiving Votes (Top 26-65)

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Top Dropouts from 2005

No. 24: Inverted Ram - When the job calls, you gotta go, and Inverted's job called him away from the board for long stints this year, particularly in the past couple of months, which is crunch time for rankings purposes. Life isn't fair, and we had no choice but to bump this solid poster out of the top 25. He dropped 23 spots to No. 45.

No. 22: Big Apple RAM - Big Apple RAM's three-year career has been a see-saw ride. He came aboard a few years ago, making the Honorable Mention list in 2004. He increased his posting frequency and in became one of the most active posters on the board in 2005. His presence in 2006 was lacking though, and save for some stints during football and basketball season, he just didn't make a big enough impression to find his way back into the top 65. Not to mention, he changed his handle several times (used Shuttlecock and Balls, Hug it Out, and CAM's PILLOWBAG before reverting back to his original Big Apple RAM name), so he was hard to keep track of. Thus, he dropped all the way to the Honorable Mention list. We'll see if he can get back to his form of 2005 next year.

No. 18: Montana Ram - Montana Ram previously earned rankings of No. 39 in 2004 and No. 29 in 2003 under the name AZRam, but began posting more frequently after his move from Arizona to Montana last year and surged into the top 25 for 2005. We thought he was grooming to become a mainstay in the top 25 and had a solid early start to the year, particularly during season. But, with so much competition these days, you can't afford to slack off in the quieter months, and that's exactly what Montana Ram did. He dropped 18 spots to No. 36 this year.

No. 17: CSU RAMbunctious - 'Bunctious accepted a new job this year, and completely wiped out his chances to return to the top 25 much less top 65. He made it into the top 25 last year for the first time since 2002, but he's sure to be disappointed this year as his streak of five straight top-65 finishes has been broken, tumbling all the way to the Honorable Mention list. Frankly, he's been so absent this year, that he probably shouldn't have made the Honorable Mention list. But, he's a long-timer here and when he does manage to find time to post, he's always so cheery that it brightens up everyone's day. After all, he is a four-time winner of the "Glass Half-Full" award as the site's most optimistic poster. The cold truth though is he suffered the biggest plunge of any top-25er from last year, and we'll see if he can climb back in 2006-07.

No. 12: OC Ram - A guy who rarely goes off-topic and adheres mostly to CSU football topics, we enjoy his commentary and opinions. While he was a relative mainstay on the board during football season, he just didn't have enough presence in other months to remain in the top 25. His lofty No. 12 ranking in 2005 was well-deserved as he brought both quality and quantity, but couldn't keep up his posting numbers this year. He suffers a big drop - 42 places - to No. 54.

No. 9: RambleOn - This is one of the dropouts we're most disappointed about. RambleOn has been on board since the beginning, and was one of only a couple of posters who had finished in the top 25 each of the previous five years of the poll's existence. It's disappointing to see his streak end, but he didn't post near as much as he has in previous years. He'll always be a solid contributor, but this year, he finds himself dropping 21 spots to No. 30.

No. 8 Newport Coast Ram - As previously mentioned, this is only the second time in five years that Newport has missed the top 25. All four of his elite 25 finishes have been in the top 10. He still had a solid year and we can't quite pinpoint the reason for the decline. One of the reasons for his past success was his great disdain and verbal lambasting of the Buffaloes. He has admitted to actually liking the Buffaloes this year with their new hire of Dan Hawkins. Maybe that's why he's fallen from grace in the rankings.

No. 7 JoninAZ - Jon is far and away RamNation's best writer. He has authored some of the best posts this site has ever seen. He is a two-time Post of the Year award winner since we created the category in 2002. Three of his posts qualified as finalists for Post of the Year honors in 2005, one in 2004, two in 2003 (including the winner), and one in 2002 (the winner). The only thing holding him back from stardom is long spells of absence or minimal posting. He dropped 22 spots this year to No. 29, which is still a very good ranking for someone who doesn't spend an enormous amount of time on the site.

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Honorable Mention

60's Rammie, 66Ram, 92YankeeRam, aggieram76, Beat Boulder, Beer Fight, Big Apple RAM, BIG BEN, Big Horn Ram, Bigwall Ovis, Buffalo1, ChicagoRamFan, commandZ, crazydelicious, CSU 58_BY-Who 13, CSU Prof, CSU RAMbunctious, CSURamFan, CTRamFan, Da'Rams!!, Denali Ram, DenverDave, Denver Ram Network, Desert Ovis Canadensis, Full Curl, Goes to 11, G-RAMS10, Green and Gold, Husker Hater, HUSKERram, I Bleed Green, In the Buff, Irish40Backer, JBuck, jcl508, John J. Fitzpatrick, kl3ram, kneedeepinbuffstuff, LA Ram, Marty Lenz, NYC RAM, OldSchoolRamFan, Patentram, Philly Ram Fan!, Pokebball, Poop Scoop Ram, progRAMmer, Q.Ram, Ram Master, Ram Of Steel, Ram Squad, Ram4Life, RAMbler, ramdogg, RamMan, rammo, Ramologist (formerly WyoRamFan), Rampage, Rams H-86, RAMsacked (formerly May The Fort Be With You), RamStraight, RiversideRam (formerly CSU 30 WYO 7), Rock n Ram, RollRAMSRoll, Rolltheirassrams, Rowdy Ram, SMARUSCOG, Steamboat Ram, Tarheel Ram, TexRamFan, The Mace, TheRampart, Tk61, TxRamFan, Unruly Ram

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Conclusion

By later today, everyone will be crowned with their new icons according to this year's rankings. Swoll Cracker will retain his No. 1 icon, the top-25 posters will receive their 25-horns, and Nos. 26-65 will receive the 65-horn icon. And, the Hall of Famers will be crowned with the very special HOF icon, which they will retain forever.

As the population of the site continues to grow, and as more and more talented posters come to the site, our job of putting together accurate rankings becomes more difficult. I congratulate and thank all of you for your participation, as the RamNation message boards just continue to get stronger and stronger and full of entertainment each year. We now have 4,000 registered posters on board, so if you have made the list today, you should be proud of your accomplishment. You are truly the elite of RamNation (either that or you have more expendable free time).

We do admit, and apologize in advance that inevitably, we will mistakenly omit a couple of deserving posters each year. As a one-person voting committee it is nearly impossible to not let a person or two slip through the cracks while compiling the rankings. If you're upset about it, shake it off and come back stronger next year. Post more often, as it is much easier for us to remember you when the voting time comes.

In all seriousness, thanks again for spending your free time on RamNation. You are what make this site great.

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