Colorado State (5-7 in 2023) at No. 4 Texas (12-2)
When/where: Saturday, 1:30 p.m./Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
TV/Radio: ESPN/Rams Radio Network
BetMGM Line: Texas -32.5, 60.5 over/under
Weather: Partly cloudy and humid, 92 degrees at kickoff
Three storylines
CSU’s question mark at TE: After Dallin Holker headed to the NFL following a strong season that saw him emerge as a finalist for the John Mackey Award, CSU had a production void to fill. That’s where the 6-foot-8 Jaxxon Warren, a JuCo transfer, was supposed to step in. But coach Jay Norvell announced earlier this week that Warren underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. That leaves senior Vince Brown II, who had only four catches last season, to carry the bulk of the pass-catching load at the position.
The Ewers Effect: CSU’s experienced secondary is highlighted by a pair of playmaking safeties in graduate student Henry Blackburn and senior Jack Howell. But will the talented back end be able to hold up against Texas QB Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns’ offensive firepower? Texas averaged 35.8 points per game last year and ranked ninth in total offense with 477.5 yards per game. Ewers is a Heisman Trophy candidate and for good reason. Blackburn, Howell and Co. must prevent big vertical plays.
Rams’ playmakers key to upset: Saturday is the highest-ranked opening opponent for CSU in the history of the AP Poll, and the Rams are 2-18 against Top 10 teams since 1993. To pull off the shocking upset, the defense is going to have to be stalwart, while redshirt sophomore quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is going to have to play out of his mind. A few long competitions to star wideout Tory Horton are part of that upset recipe, too. He had 96 catches for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023 — so that’s not out of the question.
Predictions
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: Texas 42, CSU 27
The Rams hang around for a quarter or so, but there’s a reason the Longhorns went to the College Football Playoff last year. Quinn Ewers and the Texas offense are too much for the CSU defense to bear, and the Rams’ secondary shows some early-season holes in Austin. A couple of turnovers in the second quarter, one off a Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi interception, permanently turn the tide.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Texas 37, CSU 16
Hey, there are worse ways to pick up a sweet check than spending a weekend in Austin. The talent/speed gap isn’t as steep as it would’ve been two years ago — but let’s just say it’s less than ideal. On the plus side for The Fightin’ Norvells, the Longhorns have a massive trip to Michigan next weekend and will be looking to get up big quick, then coast home. Will BFN and Tory Horton let them?
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Texas 45, CSU 17
As admirable as it is that CSU is willing to schedule Week 1 visits to blue bloods like Michigan and Texas, it sure hasn’t put head coach Jay Norvell in a great position in two of his three seasons in FoCo. The Longhorns are just way too talented and deep for CSU to hang around past the second quarter. On the plus side, the Rams are gettin’ paid. So they’ve got that going for them. Which is nice.
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