The Border War is back!
Wyoming and Colorado State will meet up for the 117th time, renewing one of college football’s oldest rivalries. There’s plenty of inrigue coming into this Week 1 matchup. For the Cowboys, it’s a chance to make a statement following consecutive losing seasons. As for the Rams, this marks their first ever matchup as a member of the revamped Pac-12. Which of these two rivals will take home the Bronze Boot on Saturday night?
The Rams are listed as three-point favorites over the Cowboys, with the total set at O/U 46.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Saturday’s Wyoming vs. Colorado State Week 1 matchup.
Wyoming vs. Colorado State prediction, preview
As previously mentioned, things haven’t gone according to plan in Laramie. After winning just seven games over the past two years, head coach Jay Sawvel is on the hot seat. Offense is the biggest issue for the Cowboys, who only averaged 16.0 points per game last season. In comes Tyler Hughes, a dual-threat quarterback transfer from FCS William & Mary. He threw for 2,330 yards and ran for 670 while racking up 31 total touchdowns in 2025. It’s hard to be much worse than former starter Kaden Anderson (12 TD, 10 INT).
Samuel “Tote” Harris, after gaining 558 rushing yards, should offer solid support out of the backfield for Wyoming. The Cowboys only scored nine rushing touchdowns last season; that number needs to improve going forward. With that being said, the team is lacking when it comes to proven pass catchers. While the program added to its offensive line in the portal, it also lost its fair share of talent up front. It’ll be interesting to see what offensive coordinator Christian Taylor schemes up.
That this program still managed to win four games last season is a testament to this defense. Despite some notable departures, the secondary should remain a plus. Keep in mind, these defensive backs allowed just 6.3 yards per pass attempt; that was the 18th-best mark among all FBS schools. Hard-hitting linebackers have never been in short supply for Wyoming, either. Up front, Jayden Williams should anchor this defensive line. The Cowboys were a middling unit against the run, so there’s room for improvement.
To say last season’s Colorado State squad was a disappointment is putting it lightly. Fresh off the heels of an eight-win 2024 campaign, the team only managed to win two games. As a result, the athletic department decided it was time for a change. Jim Mora Jr. is coming to Fort Collins, one of the better hires from this offseason’s coaching carousel. The 64-year-old revitalized a dormant UConn program, so there’s reason to believe he can do the same at his new home.
The offensive structure should revolve around avoiding turnovers and pounding the rock. Expect plenty of work for UConn transfers Mel Brown and Oliver Lundberg-Coleman at running back. Wide receivers RJ Vick (Wake Forest) and Jordan Mosley (Mississippi St.) provide Power 4 experience. The rest of this offense is a bit difficult to predict, mainly due to an ongoing quarterback competition. Mora is keeping things tight-lipped, opting not to name a starter under center until after kickoff. Right now, it’s likely between Hauss Hejny (Oklahoma State) and K’saan Farrar (UConn). Returning passer Darius Curry is also in the mix, although he underwhelmed in 2025.
On the other side of the ball, CSU should have a bit more stability. It’s pointless to look at last season’s statistics given the amount of new names on campus. Still, it’s fair to express some optimism about this Rams defense going forward. There’s a decent amount of muscle in the front seven, headlined by UConn transfer Oumar Diomande at linebacker. An active transfer portal, especially in the secondary, should only help.
Best Bet: Wyoming vs. Colorado State under 46.5 points (-110)
For all of Wyoming’s struggles, the program dominated this matchup en route to a 28-0 victory. Expecting a similar result is wishful thinking, but the Cowboys should put up a fight at the very least. However, the visitors have their fair share of moving parts on offense. The scoring attack will be improved, but immediate success will be tough in a hostile environment.
As for the Rams, it’s the beginning of a new era as well. Quarterbacking chaos makes things difficult to project, but there’s nowhere to go but up. With that being said, it’s hard to feel too confident in either of these offenses on Saturday. Given the influx of new players for both sides, an adjustment period feels inevitable. Expect some sluggishness in this latest edition of the Border War.
