BYU travels to Fort Collins to take on a former Mountain West Conference rival in Colorado State. The Rams host the Cougars as BYU ranks No. 11 in the AP poll. Kickoff is set for 5:30 MT on CBS. Let’s take a look at six questions ahead of BYU’s first road game.
Why are the Cougars playing a road game at a Group of Six location?
BYU is in the Big 12 Conference now. Fans scratch their head at them now traveling to play teams not in the “power conference” class. Colorado State is now in the PAC-12, which
is essentially a branch of the Mountain West. This weekend was supposed to be the big matchup with the Miami Hurricanes. When BYU joined the Big 12, its schedule shifted to nine conference games, leaving far fewer nonconference slots. Meanwhile, some games that had been on BYU’s future schedule were rearranged as the Big 12 evolved.
In September 2024, BYU announced its revised future schedule, including the new home-and-home with Colorado State, with the Rams making the return trip to Provo in 2029. Given the late nature of the move off of Miami, options were limited. Still, fans feel like BYU should have held out for another game at LaVell Edwards Stadium instead of travelling to an ex-Mountain West foe.
What injury concerns does BYU have?
Three BYU starters are expected to be out for the game against Colorado State due to injuries. Two were known a few weeks ago in safety Raider Damuni and running back Sione Moa. Linebacker Siale Esera is the new addition. He played just three snaps against Arizona before leaving with a lower body injury and never returning. The Cougar staff looks like they will hold him out for this game. Perhaps they hope to parlay this into two weeks off, with the Cougars getting a bye following this game.
Nusi Taumopeau looks to take Esera’s place in the middle of the BYU defense for Kelly Poppinga. Aside from that, the Cougars got out of the Arizona game relatively healthy.
What challenges does Colorado State QB Hauss Hejny present?
Hejny has completed 65.1% of his passes for 539 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. The Rams have also been generating explosive passing plays in their first two games. He also has 124 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Rams have scored 93 points in their first two games. Granted, the opponents were Wyoming and Southern Utah. BYU is a major step up in weight class.
He also has Big 12 Conference experience, even if it’s just a little. He spent time on TCU and Oklahoma State’s rosters over the last two seasons. At times, both programs deployed him as a running quarterback for a trick play or sub package. He’s got a rocket arm and is quick on his feet. BYU’s defense can’t afford to lose their assignments when rushing him or he will have big lanes to take off and get key conversions.
Is this finally the game LJ Martin crosses 100 yards?
It’s been almost cruel. Neither against Utah Tech nor Arizona has Martin, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, reached the end zone. Against Arizona, he was tackled inside the 10 yard line as the game closed out, narrowly missing a touchdown and the opportunity to reach 100 yards. He finished with 98. If Martin has visions of becoming BYU’s all-time leading rusher, which requires him to get north of 1,350 rushing yards this year, he needs to have a big game against the Rams.
The Rams rank 111th in rushing yards allowed and 118th in yards per carry allowed. BYU’s offensive line should be able to impose their will on the Rams and get Martin his biggest game of 2026 yet.
What is the history between Colorado State and BYU?
As mentioned, the Cougars and Rams were previously conference rivals, not once, but twice. They were also in the old WAC before the Rams and Cougars joined the newly formed Mountain West Conference in 1999. This means there is some serious history between the two. This series dates back to 1922 with 69 total matchups. BYU owns the series edge 39-27-3, including seven straight. The last time Colorado State beat BYU, it was in 2003. The Rams had an explosive offense that preyed on a middling Cougars squad. They crushed BYU 58-13.
Can BYU cover the massive spread?
Anytime a team is a 17.5-point favorite on the road, that will raise some eyebrows. Many likely will hedge bets on the Rams offense keeping them inside that number. However, this is the third consecutive year the Cougars have traveled to a non-power conference venue. Against Wyoming in 2024 and East Carolina in 2025, the Cougars won by a combined score of 68-27. They have largely taken care of business in the recent era of BYU football under Kalani Sitake. Despite Colorado State getting off to an explosive start this year, it’s difficult to see that changing for the Cougars.
Prediction: BYU 37, Colorado State 17
