Colorado State

The Rams face a complete quarterback reset after losing both Jackson Brousseau (42.0 PPA) to Cal and Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (26.2 PPA) to Michigan through the transfer portal. New head coach Jim Mora inherits a program that went 2-10 and ranks 113th nationally in JP+ with deep deficiencies across all three phases — offense sits at 104th, defense at 117th, and special teams at 120th. The portal turnover was massive, with 38 departures costing 151.2 PPA while 31 arrivals added just 31.8 PPA back. Quarterback Hauss Hejny leads the incoming class with 12.6 PPA from Oklahoma State, joined by Mississippi State receiver Jordan Mosley (10.2 PPA) and UConn tight end Nader Chirchi (3.9 PPA) to help replace departed tight end Rocky Beers (25.6 PPA) who transferred to Oklahoma.

JP+ projects 5.2 wins for the Rams in their Pac-12 debut, a significant improvement over last season's two-win campaign that reflects Mora's track record as a proven FBS head coach. The schedule offers some relief with home games against Wyoming, Oregon State, and Southern Utah providing the clearest paths to victory, while road trips to UTSA and Fresno State plus a home date with BYU present the steepest challenges. If the new signal-caller can provide stability and Mora's system takes hold quickly, Colorado State could surprise and push toward bowl eligibility. If the quarterback competition remains unsettled and the defense continues to struggle, another long season awaits in Fort Collins.