When Jay Norvell talked about creating Canvas Chaos, this isn’t what he had in mind.
The Rams are 1-1, but it feels worse after their escape against Northern Colorado. There are no Secret Santa gifts needed for Norvell at the office Christmas party after an all-time shocking reversal of a touchdown catch by the Bears.
And whether it was or wasn’t a reception is not even the biggest issue surrounding the program. Norvell has a quarterback controversy. He called it a competition during the bye week practice. But that is never the case, especially when the three-year starter is losing his grip on the position.
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi sure looks like he peaked that chilly night in Boulder two years ago. He can’t help himself, falling into bad habits of throwing off balance, firing sidearm and into traffic. This is not the return Norvell expected on his investment. Not in BFN’s third season.
Jackson Brousseau is getting first-team reps as Norvell mulls his choice. This decision should determine whether Norvell receives a contract extension. That’s because the Rams enter a seven-game stretch that will provide clarity on whether he should keep the job.
CSU hosts five home games, including Sept. 20 against the University of Texas San Antonio on FS1. Washington State follows. These are not Cam Ward’s Cougars. The optics of this game remain important since CSU will be joining Wazzu in the revamped Pac 12 next season. Are the Rams competitive? Do they look the part?
And Norvell knows after the latest white-knuckle scare that he better beat Wyoming. Nobody cares that the game is on the road. Waking up on Nov. 9 with a 6-3 record provides hope that Norvell made the right choice. The temperature is not dropping on this topic until Fowler-Nicolosi plays better or Norvell moves on from him.
CSU’s athletic program is on a heater. The men’s basketball program, after a terrific March Madness run, was invited to the Maui Invitational in 2026 and recently signed guard Gregory “Pops” Dunson, the highest-ranked recruit since rankings became available in 2000. The volleyball team remains a force, and the women’s soccer team has entered the national polls at No. 25 for the first time in school history.
Football, however, is the window into the university for donors. Norvell cannot afford a 6-6 record with a boring offense and uncertainty at quarterback.
Rams fans, especially the students, did their part last week. It’s on Norvell to reward their chaos with better performances.
Tight fit: The Joke was on us in Week 1. Evan Engram finished with three catches for 21 yards on four targets. He only played 26 of the 76 offensive snaps, and it wasn’t only because of his injured calf. Engram appears ready to go on Sunday. If the Broncos run the ball better, as expected, there should be at least four RPO or cross-route strikes to Engram in the first half alone, or coach Sean Payton is doing it wrong.
Bowl it over: The retractable roof is a point of debate among Broncos Country as it relates to this week’s new stadium announcement. It allows for multiple events, including a Super Bowl, Final Four and Wrestlemania. But here’s another addition: a bowl game. There has been interest over the last year in bringing a bowl to Denver, and this offers a chance to accelerate that conversation even before shovels are in the ground.
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