In many ways, this will be a Border War game unlike any other.
The Colorado State and Wyoming football teams have been playing since 1899. The rivals are longtime conference foes.
But that changes after 2025 when CSU splits to the Pac-12. Throw in a coaching change for CSU this week with Jay Norvell out and Tyson Summers in as interim, and there’s plenty of change going on ahead of the battle for the Bronze Boot.
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CSU plays at Wyoming at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 (CBS Sports Network). Here are four predictions for the game, including a final score:
Trick plays and weird stuff will happen
Javion Kinnard (No. 24) of the Colorado State Rams celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Canvas Stadium on Oct. 10, 2025, in Fort Collins.
Both of these teams are struggling, especially to score the ball. CSU is 10th in the league in scoring offense (21.9 points per game) and Wyoming is 11th (20 per game).
Both have made play-calling changes. Grant Chesnut is in as offensive coordinator for CSU while Wyoming has turned to Jovon Bouknight to call the offensive plays for Wyoming.
It’s CSU’s second change at play-caller this season. Earlier in October when Matt Mumme called the plays for the first time, the Rams scored on a flea-flicker.
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These teams are desperate for any type of spark and it’s a rivalry, so that means everything is on the table for weird and wacky.
Expect trick plays. Don’t be surprised if there’s a fake punt or fake field goal or an unexpected onside kick.
Everything is on the table.
There will be at least four turnovers
All that change … it could lead to some internal chaos, too. And these are two teams that can create some of their own problems anyways.
Wyoming has turned the ball over 12 times this season and CSU eight. Both defenses can be dangerous and aggressive, too.
This feels likely to be a game with wild swings, and that means turnovers.
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Expect both teams to cough up the ball and there to be at least four total turnovers. And that idea leads into my third in-game prediction of …
There will be a defensive touchdown
All-in on the chaos theory for this game.
It will be a weird, wild game and there will be a defensive touchdown.
Who? Hard to pinpoint, but this feels like a big-man scoop-and-score kind of weekend.
Colorado State vs. Wyoming score prediction
Colorado State 27, Wyoming 20
I have no idea, really. Let’s be real, no one has a good pinpoint on this game given all the changes. I could see both teams pulling everything out of the bag for a high-scoring game. It could also be one with a single touchdown.
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I’m going to go with the post-firing bounce. CSU’s practices have been crisp and energetic. Teams after a firing in college football this season have been pretty good the first week after, and I think the Rams have underperformed from their talent level.
A weird, wacky game ends with the Boot heading back to Fort Collins.
My record this season: 4-3 outright, 2-5 against the spread.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado State vs Wyoming predictions for Week 9 Border War game
