College football predictions 2025: How CU, CSU, Air Force and UNC will fare this season

The Denver Post sports staff predicts how each of Colorado’s major college football teams will fare in 2025.

Colorado

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Kyle Newman, sportswriter: With Kansas State and Arizona State looming at the end of the season, the Buffs need a fast start and for transfer QB Kaidon Salter to settle in quickly. With size and a salty defensive line, the Buffs are capable of starting 4-0, but the true tests begin in Big 12 play on Sept. 27 with a showdown against BYU — which trounced CU in the Alamo Bowl last year. There will be tough moments, but enough good ones for another bowl. Prediction: 7-5

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Can the Buffs go from glitz and glamour to tough as nails in the trenches? The answer to that question will go a long way toward determining if CU is contending for the Big 12 title for a second straight season under Coach Prime. Everyone is saying the right things. Now it’s just a matter of sticking to it. Beat Georgia Tech at Folsom Field on Friday night, and that gets a heck of a lot easier. Prediction: 6-6

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Starting Kaidon Salter over Julian Lewis at QB indicates Coach Prime is serious about winning now. That said, Ju Ju will play until either his performance or his health gives Prime a reason not to. It will be a delicate balance. Lewis didn’t choose CU to wait his turn. The defense, on paper, should be better than pundits give it credit for. If another new-look offensive line improves upon 2024’s advancements, CU will do some damage. Prediction: 7-5

Troy Renck, sports columnist: The expectation is clear: bowl or bust. More specifically, win a bowl or bust. That will only come to fruition if the Buffs successfully reinvent themselves as a run-oriented team. Less sizzle. More steak. It’s hard to trust a ground attack that has been a rumor for two years, though hiring Marshall Faulk as the running backs coach will help. If Kaidon Salter plays well, CU will be fine, even if it means Ju Ju Lewis transfers after the season. Prediction: 6-6

Colorado State

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Kyle Newman, sportswriter: With Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi back at QB for a third straight year at starter, there’s reason for optimism. BFN should have enough talent around him in the passing game, and perhaps the running game can continue its momentum from ’24. The biggest question is about the reliability of the defense, which lost its top playmakers from a year ago and is under new management in DC Tyson Summers. Prediction: 7-5

Matt Schubert, sports editor: We’re entering Year 3 of wondering when things will finally click for Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. There have been flashes, and there have been just as many head-scratches. After spending a season as a caretaker, it’s time for BFN to morph into the quarterback we’ve been waiting for: One that’s efficient and productive. If that guy shows up, the Rams might have enough to make up for what could be a shaky defense. Prediction: 7-5

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Even if the play-calling drives you nuts, even if the offense doesn’t get pulses racing, give Jay Norvell credit for this much: Whenever challenged to adjust or adapt, he’s adapted. The Rams are deeper and faster than two years ago. Ultimately, though, 2025 will probably elevate as high as QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi can reach as a junior. Prediction: 6-6

Troy Renck, sports columnist: Jay Norvell turned the Rams into a bowl team. He is talking conference championship now, optimism fueled by the return of QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and a plethora of offensive weapons. This needs to be the year the Rams reap the rewards for showing patience with BFN. The defense under coordinator Tyson Summers will play a risky, aggressive style that will create turnovers, but lead to big plays. CSU’s QB must counterpunch. Prediction: 7-5

Air Force

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Kyle Newman, sportswriter: After three seasons to celebrate from 2021-23, the fall-off was steep for the Zoomies last year. One hopes that the experience gained from going 5-7, not to mention four straight wins to close the year, is a promising sign. Much hinges on whether either Josh Johnson or Liam Szarka has what it takes to stoke the triple-option at quarterback. The inexperienced secondary can’t give games away. Prediction: 5-7

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Which Air Force team shows up to start the season? The one that lost seven straight as part of a 1-7 start to 2024? Or the one that closed out the campaign with four straight wins, including a 28-0 stomping of Oregon State? Here’s guessing it’s a little bit of both, with more of the latter sprinkled in. Troy Calhoun’s Falcons are too metronomic to bet against. They’ll go bowling again this winter. Prediction: 6-6

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: By the time the Zoomies figured things out last fall, the season was too late to save. It’s hard to see coach Troy Calhoun letting things veer off those kinds of rails again. Losing Quentin Hayes at QB hurts, especially for an offense that returns eight starters. Prediction: 7-5

Troy Renck, sports columnist: Air Force fell out of the sky with a thud last season. So many good players graduated that the Falcons were left starting over. It created a different experience. Typically, Air Force wears down physically as the season advances, but last year’s team grew up. That will pay dividends this fall. The road back to a winning record starts at quarterback. Is that Josh Johnson or Liam Szarka? The answer to that question will determine the results. Prediction: 6-6

Northern Colorado

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Kyle Newman, sportswriter: For a program that hasn’t had a winning season since going 6-5 in 2016, it’s hard to believe the Bears are close to turning a corner under third-year head coach Ed Lamb. UNC is just 1-22 in Lamb’s tenure, and the Bears were blown out in most of their games last season. This year’s schedule (which features five of the first seven games on the road) doesn’t offer many chances at a W. Prediction: 1-11