Colorado State Football Preview 2026: The Rams' Fresh Start in the Pac-12

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Colorado State acts like a program that's supposed to win.

But it hasn't, with seven losing seasons in the last eight years. Jim Mora should be the head coach who turns this whole thing around.

– 2026 Colorado State Schedule Analysis

Colorado State and Jim Mora Hit Reset

Steve Addazio was a steady winner at Boston College, but he only went 4-12 in his two seasons in Fort Collins.

The program took Jay Norvell away from Nevada, and after a few years of building things back up, last year turned into a hard thud.

There's no reason Colorado State can't be a factor in the Pac-12. It has a great fan base, it does a good job in the portal, and the will is there to be a winner.

Now it's up to Mora to make that happen.

Colorado State Quick Hits

• Head Coach: Jim Mora (1st year, 11th year overall, 73-53)
• Best Case / Worst Case: Play for the Pac-12 title/A tenth losing season in 11 years
• Key Player: Hauss Hejny, QB Soph. (or the starting quarterback)
• 2025 Record: 2-10
• Biggest Question: How quickly can all the new transfers fit in under Jim Mora?

Colorado State Key 2025 Stats

• 2nd Quarter Scoring: Opponents 144, Colorado State 51
• Field Goals: Opponents 11-of-11, Colorado State 5-of-10
• Rushing Yards Per Game: Opponents 204.9, Colorado State 108.3

Offense

Jim Mora didn't get his UConn offensive coordinator – Gordon Sammis is at TCU – but he did bring about assistant Pryce Tracy to instill the same style the Huskies used to succeed over to Fort Collins.

Ball control, running the ball, no mistakes, no turnovers, repeat. 

The Rams have to do that with a totally rebuild starting 11 – with a mix of UConn players and Colorado State holdovers.

What’s Working

The style works. It's not like UConn had any talent compared to the teams it was hanging around with and beating last year – it's just about being able to execute.

The Huskies were No. 1 in the nation in fewest turnovers lost – giving away just one fumble and one interception. Meanwhile, Colorado State turned it over 20 times with three or more giveaways in four games.

It all starts with the offensive line. Mora knows how to put together a front five, and this one should be pieced together fast around holdover center Phillip Ocon. 

Quinton Harris was a wonderful tackle get from TCU, Payton Stewart (Michigan State) and Toriyan Johnson (UConn) are ready to work at the other tackle job, and Diego Rodriguez (UConn) knows what he's doing at guard.

The receiving corps will be an instant plus. Tommy Maher is a good holdover who made 32 catches with 358 yards, and in come Jordan Mosley from Mississippi State and RJ Vick from Wake Forest for a solid set of new-Pac-12 starters.

What Needs Work

The quarterbacks are just okay. It's a battle for the gig between Darius Curry – who threw five touchdown passes and seven picks when given his shot – and UConn transfer Ksaan Farrar, and Oklahoma State's Hauss Hejny. 

All of the options are relatively inexperienced and young – the offense could use a veteran who doesn't screw up.

There isn't a sure-thing star running back in place. This is where former UConn players should shine. Mel Brown and Oliver Lundberg-Coleman combined for over 400 yards with three touchdowns.  

Colorado State has to learn to keep the chains moving. Its biggest problem last season was simply keeping the offense on the field. It was awful on third downs, and the 20 turnovers were too many. 

It starts with the running game. The Rams were 2-0 when running for more than 155 yards, 0-10 when running for fewer.

Player to Watch

Quinton Harris, OT Sr.
An interesting signing out of TCU, the 6-8, 315-pounder got in a little starting time last season, but he didn't quite fit in this year and would've been a backup. The Rams pounced, signing their starting right tackle.

Defense

Tyson Summers tried to do what he could with last year's team after being thrown into the fire as the interim head coach. He went 0-5, but he's still around as the team's defensive coordinator.

This year's defense has a better mix of holdovers from last year and transfers, and the results should be far better. 

What’s Working

Here come the defensive linemen. The Rams have to be better at getting into the backfield, and much better against the run after allowing over 200 yards per game. The new parts for the defensive front should help both areas.

Stephon Wright is an NFL-sized defensive end coming over from UConn, and Khamani Potts is a pass rusher from Grand Valley State who could turn into a specialist. 

Between 315-pound Robby Harrison coming from Western Kentucky and 330-pound Alton Tarber, the Rams have bulk inside.

The linebackers will be an instant strength. UConn's Oumar Diomande made 116 tackles last season with five sacks and eight tackles for loss, and Antarron Turner is a big option from Wisconsin.

Jaseim Mitchell made 32 tackles for the Rams and will get a bigger role on the outside along with Mark Pretto, a potential pass rusher from Northern Illinois.

The defensive backs might be the stars of the transfer portal. Corners Richard Mosley (Stonehill), Caleb Presley (San Jose State), and Jordan Lessard from Canada will all produce right away. Safety Elijah Mc-Cantos was a wonderful signing from App State.

What Needs Work

More big plays overall. The Colorado State defense was all one big problem. Summers' bunch didn't force a ton of takeaways and struggled to do much of anything to change the momentum.

The defense forced four takeaways against both Fresno State and New Mexico – and still lost to the Lobos, came up with multiple takeaways two other times, and four in the other eight games. That's what it needs …

Sure thing pass rushers. The pass rush will be better, because it can't be any worse.

The Rams only generated 16 sacks on the season, and 14 came in four games. The pressure is on Stephon Wright, Brandon Kelly and Khamani Potts to generate … pressure.

Third down stops. It all tied together. No pressure from the defensive front, not enough takeaways, and not enough big things happening on third downs.

Colorado State was 130th in the nation in third down stops, letting teams convert 46.5% of the time, with San Diego State hitting at a 63% clip, and Air Force closing out the slate converting 73% of their tries.

Player to Watch

Jace Bellah, S Sr.
The transfers might be the new big things for the secondary, but Bellah should be the star of an improved group. He was third on the team with 58 tackles, to go along with four picks and two forced fumbles.

Keys to the Season

• Get better play on both lines. It all starts with the infrastructure.
• Generate more pressure and sacks – be disruptive.
• Cut down on the mistakes and turnovers.

Player Who Needs To Shine

Hauss Hejny, QB Soph.
He wasn't able to see any time as a true freshman at TCU, and last season at Oklahoma State he completed just five of ten passes. He's not big, but he's a decent talent with the upside to make the offense his over the next few years – if he wins the job. 

Either Darius Curry or Ksaan Farrar could win the gig, too, with a great fall camp.

Biggest Concern

Get that ground game going.
UConn didn't own the time of possession last season under Jim Mora, but his team controlled games by grinding it out on the ground. Colorado State has to do the same.

The Rams only ran for five yards per carry or more twice last season, and it won both games. UConn averaged over five yards per pop.

Biggest Game

Oregon State, October 3
It's the first Pac-12 game for Colorado State, it's at home, and there's a week off after to either bask in the glory or freak out at what's next. 

At Texas State, San Diego State, at Utah State, Boise State.

Rams, beat the Beavers.

Transfer Portal

It's what you do when you hire a coach from a successful program – you bring along a slew of top players. Jim Mora brought along 14 UConn Huskies with him, but he went elsewhere, too.

The secondary, linebacker depth, and offensive backfield got the most help.

Best Signing

Juice Vereen, TE (UConn)
Out of all the Huskies coming over with Mora, Vereen should be among those who could make the biggest jump.

He started at NC State, but didn't do much until he got to UConn, making 22 catches for 310 yards and five scores. The 6-4, 220-pounder has the upside to do a whole lot more.

Biggest Loss

Owen Long, LB (Arizona State)
A great playmaker for the Rams, he tried to carry the defense with 151 tackles, five broken up passes, two sacks, and five tackles for loss in a fantastic season. He'll be a perfect fit for the Sun Devil defense.

Other Names to Know

• Oumar Diomande, LB (UConn)
• Stephon Wright, DE (UConn)
• Caleb Presley, CB (San Jose State)

CFN Season Prediction

Here comes the bounceback.

Colorado State felt like a momentum problem last year. It was supposed to be when the program would build on the eight-win 2024 season, but the mojo was gone fast.

It started with a heartbreaking home loss to UTSA, a dead offense game against Washington State, and a defensive meltdown at San Diego State. 

But this seems fixable fast.

CFN Prediction: 6-6

Jim Mora is a terrific coach. He brought in a slew of ready-to-roll veterans, but there can't be any wasted moments with the schedule.

Boise State and San Diego State are home games. So is the date against BYU.

The rivalry date with Wyoming, the game against Southern Utah, and Oregon State are must wins to get close to six victories, and then it'll take a few upsets to get there.

Mora has dealt with harder situations than fixing the Rams. He'll do it quickly.

Related: Pac-12 Football Rankings: How All 8 Teams Look in the Spring Reboot

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos