When J.T. Baum talks to some of his high school football buddies who went off to play for Division I programs, he hears all about the prototypical college experience.

It's something Baum hasn't quite experienced at Colorado Mines, but the sophomore running back knew that would be the case when he signed with the Orediggers.

The Columbine graduate and Colorado native hears all about the extensive partying, weekend trips, and . . . oh, schoolwork that accompany many of his friends' football commitments.

It isn't quite like that at academic-heavy Mines, but Baum believes the mostly work, little-play atmosphere is a benefit for the team.

"It's a tight-knit group, because we're all in the same boat," said Baum, a preseason all-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selection after rushing for 433 yards as a freshman. "We're all under the same stresses, and we know no one is out there to show off."

Things are different from the past at Mines, where less than a decade ago the football team was an RMAC bottom feeder, and the joke around the conference was that the Orediggers' motto was: "You may beat us in football, but in 10 years, we'll be your boss."

But with a steady rise that coincided with the arrival of eighth- year head coach Bob Stitt, Mines has shed the academically adept, football-inept image.

"Now we expect to win every year," Baum said. "We look at what they did in 2004 (conference championship) and want to keep it going."

The Orediggers have kept it going and are picked to finish fourth this season. The 6-foot Baum, despite being surprised at his preseason honor, will have a big role in trying to raise the bar even higher.

"Another of coach Andy Lowry's great Columbine High School products," Mesa State coach Joe Ramunno said. "He is someone I know we all recruited out of CHS, a big, physical back with great vision and speed. J.T. will be a threat from anywhere on the field."

Baum believes a lot of work done by his team occurs off the field. He thinks the Orediggers have a leg up on the rest of the conference when it comes to team chemistry, simply because the rigorous academics have forged bonds among players.

"Being a smaller school, you have a lot of football guys in your classes, and we help each other out," Baum said. "Sometimes that's the best way, because it's someone you trust. You could get an on-campus tutor, but it's usually not someone you know."