Are you ready for some football, Rams fans?

It’s officially game week for your Colorado State Rams football team and they’re set to kickoff the season in style at Canvas Stadium. The green and gold, fresh with their new uniforms for 2023, host the Washington State Cougars at Canvas this Saturday, Sept. 2 with a 5 p.m. MT kickoff.

And according to CSU media relations, less than 5,000 tickets remain for this week’s game!

But, will the Rams win their season-opener? And, will Colorado State bounce back this year, as they’re predicted to do?

Welcome to our best guess and game by game predictions for the Rams in 2023!

Colorado State’s schedule is tough, but can they make a bowl game?

Their schedule is as follows, home in bold:

  • Washington State, Sept. 2, 5 p.m. MT
  • Bye week
  • At Colorado, Sept. 16, 8 p.m. MT
  • At Middle Tennessee, Sept. 23, 5 p.m. MT
  • Utah Tech (Ag Day), Sept 30, 5 p.m. MT
  • At Utah State, Oct. 7, 6 p.m. MT
  • Boise State (Homecoming), Oct. 14, TBD
  • At UNLV, Oct. 21, 5 p.m. MT
  • Air Force, Oct 28, 5 p.m. MT
  • At Wyoming, Nov. 3, 6 p.m. MT
  • SDSU, Nov. 11, 5 p.m. MT
  • Nevada, Nov. 18, 1 p.m. MT
  • At Hawaii, Nov. 25, 10 p.m. MT

So, looking at the list, there are 4-6 should-wins, 4-ish likely losses and 3-4 tossup games.

Let’s go game by game and predict where the Rams land this year

Week 1: Washington State, Sept. 2, 5 p.m. MT

This is one of the tossup games for Colorado State. Why? Well, they basically had the worst offense in all of college football last year, scoring a measly 13.2 points per game and couldn’t put 20 points on the board in any game. But Jay Norvell’s Air Raid offense is looking to finally get off the ground thanks to the growth of core players like quarterback Clay Millen, young receiver Justus Ross-Simmons, and the bulking up of the O-line. Tory Horton is the best receiver in the G5, and additions like running back Kobe Johnson and tight end Dallin Holker should help, too.

If the offense can come out of the gates running, CSU has a shot of upsetting the Cougars, who blew out the Rams 38-7 last year. Colorado State’s defense is likely to be one of the best in the Mountain West, but WSU returns their QB, top RB and top WR this year.

Verdict: Rams win 41-38, (1-0)

Week 2: Bye

Can’t lose in the bye week, so that’s a positive. And the Rams can take what they learn from Week 1 to prepare for CU in Boulder. A win would leave CSU flying high, but a loss to Washington State means that bye will be used to reevaluate things and try to fix them in a hurry.

Week 3: At Colorado, Sept. 16, 8 p.m. MT

Look, it’s the Rocky Mountain Showdown, it’s Deion’s Sanders’ (Coach PRIME’s) first year with the Buffs, and everyone around the country is high on CU. Just considering the insane recruits and transfers Prime was able to bring in gives the Buffs a definitely leg up on the Rams. Plus, it’s in Boulder.

Verdict: Rams lose 31-17, (1-1)

Week 4: At Middle Tennessee, Sept. 23, 5 p.m. MT

Middle Tennessee went 8-4 last year in Conference USA and they put up some strong scoring numbers (28.8 PPG). However, they also gave up 27.7 points per game. Quarterback Chase Cunningham is gone, which could hurt their offense.

Last year: 34-19 loss.

Verdict: Rams win 24-14, (2-1)

Week 5: Utah Tech (Ag Day), Sept 30, 5 p.m. MT

It’s Ag Day, it’s Utah Tech.

Verdict: Rams win 42-10, (3-1)

Week 6: At Utah State, Oct. 7, 6 p.m. MT

Now things get interesting, as the Rams get into their conference slate. Utah State was great in 2021 (11-3) but only decent last year at 6-7 overall. This the second tossup game for the Rams.

The Aggies return their starting quarterback Cooper Legas, but he had a mediocre junior year (1,499 yards, 11 TD, 10 INT) and Utah State lost their top running threat in Calvin Tyler. Colorado State will have a real shot at winning this one in Logan, Utah.

Last year: 17-13 loss.

Verdict: Rams win 38-35, (4-1)

Week 7: Boise State (Homecoming), Oct. 14, TBD

Look, it’s Boise State. The Rams have never beaten the Broncos, going 0-12 all-time against them. And, although it’s been a while since Boise was dominant, they are expected to be a fantastic football team this year and could win the conference.

Last year: 49-10 loss.

Verdict: Rams lose 42-21, (4-2)

Week 8: At UNLV, Oct. 21, 5 p.m. MT

After that mid-season loss to the Broncos, the Rams will bounce back against UNLV in Las Vegas. The Rebels have gone 7-17 combined the last two years and they lost their top running back Aidan Robbins to BYU; CSU should be able to out-score UNLV. Plus, the Rebels lost their top sack man in Adam Plant Jr. and their defensive leader Austin Ajiake to graduation.

CSU’s defense, led by Mo Kamara and Jack Howell, should shine in this one.

Verdict: Rams win 31-10, (5-2)

Week 9: Air Force, Oct 28, 5 p.m. MT

Air Force kicks off a tough three-game stretch for Colorado State in late October–early November. The Falcons are expected to be a contender for the Mountain West Conference again this season while the Rams are predicted to be middle-of-the-pack.

Colorado State has lost six straight to the Falcons with their deadly rushing attack and stout defense and it’ll likely be tough to hang with them this year, too.

Last year: 24-12 loss.

Verdict: Rams lose 35-20, (5-3)

Week 10: At Wyoming, Nov. 3, 6 p.m. MT

The third and final tossup of the season. Wyoming is coming off a 7-6 season and they do return starting quarterback Andrew Peasley as well as their 1,000-yard running back Titus Swen (8 touchdowns). Plus, tight end Treyton Welch proved to be a threat in the red zone, with five touchdowns last year.

Defensively, Wyoming was strong last year, allowing 23.9 PPG. They return a ton of talent on that side of the ball, and unless the Rams offense is already rolling this year, it could be tough sledding in Laramie. Especially if it’s windy.

Last year: 14-13 loss.

Verdict: Rams lose 28-14, (5-4)

Week 11: SDSU, Nov. 11, 5 p.m. MT

San Diego State is another of the conference’s top contenders. The only one CSU avoids this year is Fresno State, but many believe SDSU will come in third in the Mountain West.

The Aztecs are known for crushing defense and so-so offense. They’ll be tough to beat.

Verdict: Rams lose 17-14, (5-5)

Week 12: Nevada, Nov. 18, 1 p.m. MT

Nevada went 2-10 last year and is again expected to be one of the worst teams in the Mountain West. Colorado State should easily win this one, which by these predictions, would make the Rams bowl eligible for the first time in six years!

Last year: 17-14 win.

Verdict: Rams win 27-9, (6-5)

Week 13: At Hawaii, Nov. 25, 10 p.m. MT

Hawaii could be the worst team in the conference and they’re usually a bit of a pushover. The only thing that might trip the Rams up is the insanely late kickoff time. Still, expect Colorado State to win with relative ease.

Last year: 17-13 win.

Verdict: Rams win 42-21 (7-5)