Could 2025 be the year Colorado State turns the corner and becomes a real contender in the Mountain West? After several seasons of rebuilding and close calls, the Rams came back with a fresh schedule.
Head coach Jay Norvell is entering his fourth year at the helm, and the expectations are growing louder in Fort Collins. Let’s break it all down—every game, every date, and what it could mean for the Rams.
2025 Colorado State Football Schedule
- Aug. 30—at Washington
- Sept. 6—vs. Northern Colorado
- Sept. 20—vs. UTSA
- Sept. 27—vs. Washington State
- Oct. 4—at San Diego State
- Oct. 11—vs. Fresno State
- Oct. 18—vs. Hawai’i
- Oct. 25—at Wyoming
- Nov. 8—vs. UNLV
- Nov. 15—at New Mexico
- Nov. 22—at Boise State
- Nov. 29—vs. Air Force
Breaking Down the Slate: What to Expect in 2025
This year’s schedule is a blend of big-name road tests and pivotal Mountain West showdowns at Canvas Stadium. It kicks off with a headline non-conference trip to Washington on Aug. 30—a tall task against a Huskies team that reached the national title game just two seasons ago.
But the Rams return home for a more manageable stretch, hosting Northern Colorado, UTSA, and Washington State, all in September. That three-game home swing will be crucial in building early momentum.
Mountain West play begins in earnest on Oct. 4 with a trip to San Diego State, followed by a gauntlet of conference rivals including Fresno State, Hawai’i, Wyoming, and UNLV. November brings the real test, with three of four games on the road, including visits to New Mexico and Boise State, and a regular-season finale at home against archrival Air Force.
The Rams have shown signs of growth under Norvell, especially on defense and in the passing game. After finishing 5–7 in 2024, just shy of bowl eligibility, the hope is that returning quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi can take another leap forward. The sophomore threw for over 3,000 yards last season and now returns with a deeper receiving corps led by Justus Ross-Simmons and Dallin Holker, the latter of whom earned All-Mountain West honors.
Non-conference play is where Colorado State must hold its own if it hopes to be a postseason team. Washington State presents a wild-card matchup—CSU nearly beat them in 2023, and this year’s home-field advantage could tip the scales.
The Mountain West stretch is a rollercoaster. October opens with San Diego State on the road—and continues with Fresno State. The Border War with Wyoming on Oct. 25 in Laramie is circled on every Rams fan’s calendar; this could be the biggest matchup of the season.
The final stretch is brutal but decisive. Trips to New Mexico and Boise State sandwich a home game against UNLV, which continues to rise under Barry Odom. The final clash with Air Force could hold conference title implications—or be a must-win to lock down bowl eligibility.
The key to 2025 will be consistency. The Rams must avoid the slow starts and red-zone miscues that plagued them in recent seasons. If they can establish the run, protect the football, and win the turnover battle, this could be their breakout year.
Fort Collins Revival? The Rams Could Be Mountain West Sleepers
There’s a buzz brewing in Fort Collins, and it’s not just about the scenery. For the first time in a long while, Colorado State appears to have the right mix of talent and momentum to turn heads in the Mountain West. A solid recruiting class in 2025 added depth to the trenches, and offseason transfers helped bolster the defensive secondary.
What’s more, CSU returns seven starters on defense, including standout linebacker Chigozie Anusiem, who posted more than 90 tackles and four sacks last season. The front seven has the tools to disrupt opposing quarterbacks, and if the Rams can get consistent pressure, their secondary won’t have to be perfect.
Special teams could be another hidden edge. Kicker Jordan Noyes was near-perfect inside 40 yards in 2024, and return man Tory Horton brings game-breaking speed to the field—he already has two career return touchdowns.
KEEP READING: Wyoming 2025 Football Schedule: What To Expect From the Cowboys
All eyes are on Norvell and company to prove they can finish close games and compete late in the season. If the Rams can grab seven or more wins, a bowl game is in the cards, and perhaps even a shot at a Mountain West Championship berth.
So, whether you’re circling the Border War, counting down to the Air Force finale, or dreaming of a bowl destination, one thing is clear: the Rams are no longer just rebuilding. They’re rising—and the Mountain West better be ready.
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