Colorado State had to battle for nearly every one of its wins in 2024.
After starting the season 1-2 overall, including a 52-0 season-opening loss at Texas, seven of the Rams’ next nine games were decided by 14 points or fewer. But they ended up going 6-1 in Mountain West play and also nearly won at Oregon State, losing 39-31 in double overtime. If it weren’t for a 28-22 loss at Fresno State, Colorado State would’ve been playing in the Mountain West Championship.
CSU hopes to earn a spot in that title game this season.
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Colorado State Football’s Mountain West Title Betting Odds
Colorado State’s odds to win the Mountain West are +1200, via BetMGM. CSU’s odds to make the championship game are +500.
Colorado State Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
CSU’s win total Over/Under is 6.5, with Under 6.5 at -165 and Over 6.5 at +140.
Colorado State Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 30 @ Washington
Sept. 6 vs. Northern Colorado
Sept. 20 vs. UTSA
Sept. 27 vs. Washington State
Oct. 3 @ San Diego State
Oct. 10 vs. Fresno State
Oct. 18 vs. Hawaii
Oct. 25 @ Wyoming
Nov. 8 vs. UNLV
Nov. 15 @ New Mexico
Nov. 22 @ Boise State
Nov. 28 vs. Air Force
Dec. 5 Mountain West Championship
Bold indicates Mountain West contests
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Key Colorado State Football Returners
2024 All-Mountain West Honorable Mention
OL Aaron Karas
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi To Lead Strong Colorado State Team
Colorado State is missing some of its stars from last season, including wide receiver Tory Horton, who is now in the NFL.
But the Rams return some solid players as well. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is among them. After making the All-Mountain West Honorable Mention list in 2023, he threw for 2,796 yards, 14 touchdowns, and nine interceptions on a 61% completion rate in 2024. He also ran for 75 yards and four TDs.
Avery Morrow, who led CSU with 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns rushing last year, is gone. But Justin Marshall is back after running for 746 yards and four TDs. After ranking third on the team with 153 yards and a score on the ground, Jalen Dupree is also returning.
The Rams had eight players record at least 100 receiving yards last season, but six of them are no longer on the team. Wide receivers Armani Winfield (38 catches for 341 yards and two TDs) and Jordan Ross (15 catches for 218 yards and a score) are back.
Aaron Karas will look to lead CSU’s offensive line again after making the all-conference honorable mention list in 2024 while playing right tackle. Alex Foster and Tanner Morley, who both started games at left guard last season, are also returning.
Colorado State’s defense, which ranked fifth in the Mountain West with 23.92 points per game allowed last year, lost their top six tacklers from a season ago.
Rams linebacker Owen Long is the team’s leading returning tackler. He tallied 45 tackles and two pass breakups in 2024. Defensive back Ayden Hector is also back after racking up 39 tackles, 4.5 for loss, as well as six pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and a sack. Mukendi Wa-Kalonji is among CSU’s top returners on the defensive line after recording 35 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 2024.
The Rams’ transfer class was ranked third in the Mountain West by 247Sports. They’ll hope some of those players, especially at the skill positions and on defense, can lift the program up in 2025.
Colorado State Football Season Prediction
I predict Colorado State won’t win the Mountain West but will go Over 6.5 wins.
There are a good number of winnable matchups on CSU’s schedule with Jay Norvell at head coach. And that begins with the non-conference slate. I don’t anticipate the Rams will beat Washington to open the season, but I could see CSU starting the season 2-2 overall with games against Northern Colorado, UTSA, and Washington State all at home.
And I expect CSU will win five clashes in Mountain West play. Specifically, I could see CSU defeating San Diego State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Air Force. I don’t know if the Rams quite have the firepower to beat UNLV – even if that game is at CSU – or Boise State. But those other conference games could lead to five or six wins for the Rams.
And that would lead to another bowl appearance for Colorado State.
