Colorado State is stepping into its first preseason camp under head coach Jim Mora, a stark contrast to the 2‑10 finish it posted in 2025. The Rams have endured a turbulent offseason, with roughly three‑quarters of the previous roster set to be replaced before the 2026 kickoff.
Analysts have begun to outline what the new campaign might look like. Athlon Sports predicts a seventh‑place finish in the eight‑team Pac‑12, while Phil Steele ranks the Rams just ahead of Oregon State, projecting them to finish seventh as well. Both outlets highlight tight end Juice Vereen as a potential first‑team all‑conference selection and label Oklahoma State transfer Hauss Hejny as the third‑most valuable transfer in the league.
The betting market reflects the uncertainty. BetMGM has set an over/under line of 3.5 wins for the Rams, while FanDuel lists a line of 4.5 wins. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) projects a 3.6‑win, 7.5‑loss record, underscoring the difficulty of translating preseason expectations into actual victories.
What makes these forecasts especially precarious is the scale of change. The program expects about a 75 % turnover in its roster, a figure that dwarfs typical offseason adjustments. Last year, optimism was far higher, with many analysts projecting five or six regular‑season wins. In reality, Colorado State slipped to the bottom of the Mountain West, saw quarterback Brayden Fowler‑Nicolosi benched and leave, and ultimately fired coach Jay Norvell.
Beyond the numbers, the shift in coaching philosophy brings a new emphasis on defensive depth. Steele points to a deep defensive line as the Rams’ strongest unit, suggesting that even if the offense struggles to click, the unit could keep games competitive.
Players to Watch
Juice Vereen’s blend of size and hands makes him a natural target in the Rams’ passing attack, while Hauss Hejny brings a veteran’s instincts to a young defensive front. Both are expected to be pivotal in determining whether Colorado State can exceed the low win totals set by the betting markets.
The coming weeks will reveal how quickly the new coach can integrate these pieces, and whether the team can translate preseason optimism into tangible results on the field.