Friday Faceoff: Which college football team will surprise in 2025 — Air Force, CU or CSU?

Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor

Answer: Colorado State

In their final season in the Mountain West, it is time for the Rams to make some noise.

In the conference preseason poll, Colorado State was picked fourth behind Boise State, which is ranked No. 25 in the country, UNLV, and San Jose State. The Rams are set up to finish better than fourth and surprise the college football world.

Coach Jay Norvell’s fourth season in Fort Collins will be his best as the Rams will put pressure on Boise State for the top spot in the conference. Other than Boise State, which Colorado State plays Nov. 22 on the road, the Rams should not fear anybody else in their conference.

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi returns for his third season with the Rams and Norvell has brought in plenty of talent through the transfer portal. A lot of that talent will be on the defensive side of the ball, where only one starter returns.

Corners Jahari Rogers (SMU) and CJ Blocker (Utah) need to contribute right away, as will defensive end Moso’oipala Tuitele (New Mexico) and linebacker Jacob Ellis (Iowa State) to have another strong year on defense.

Our Tyler King predicted the Rams to finish 8-4 and 6-2 in conference. They could be better and make it to the Mountain West title game and give Boise State a scare on the blue turf.

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Paul Klee, sports editor

Answer: Air Force

Conventional wisdom says 2025 is a down year for college ball in Colorado. Have you noticed lately conventional wisdom is usually wrong?

The Vegas books set the Air Force win total at 6.5. Shoot, mark me down for nine. Troy Calhoun, the best ball coach in Colorado, has the parts that help the Falcons fly: veteran roster, All-American-caliber fullback in Dylan Carson and a defensive line with a mean streak.

Respect, Mr. Schmaedeke. Your vote for Jay Norvell’s turnaround is duly noted. But should I mention that through sunshine or snowballs Air Force has never lost at Canvas Stadium?

It’s a real bummer Deion Sanders and the Buffs are no longer on the Falcons schedule. Coach Prime has a fan in Coach Calhoun, a decorated two-sport athlete of his own back in the day.

And the Falcons this season would extend their two-game win streak against the Buffaloes.

Predicting the Mountain West is a fool’s errand. The only lock is pegging Boise State near the top. But this Air Force roster reminds of the 2019 outfit that went 7-1 in league play behind a D-line anchored by current Broncos behemoth Jordan Jackson and a powerful running game.

CU must replace Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter and their retired jerseys. CSU must build momentum before joining the Pac-12 in 2026.

But a down year in Colorado’s college ball scene? At Air Force, the arrow is pointing up.