The 2024 college football season is here. Saturday features the first action for many of the top 25 teams in the country, including SEC newcomer Texas and Colorado State .
Texas enters a new era in the SEC off the back of the first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. Quarterback Quinn Ewers returns for his third season as the starter in Austin, as does standout left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. The Longhorns lost their top rusher and top four pass catchers to the NFL Draft. But transfers Silas Bolden ( Oregon State ), Isaiah Bond ( Alabama ), and Matthew Golden ( Houston ) lead one of the deepest wide receiver groups in the country. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is one of many rising talents on a reloaded defense.
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Colorado State finished 5-7 last season but have the talent to post their first winning record since 2017. Wide receiver Tory Horton made the Biletnikoff Award watch list and returning quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi has plenty of arm talent. The duo should test the Texas secondary early and often in this one. On defense, top pass rusher Mohamed Kamara leaves a big hole on the edge after leaving for the NFL Draft. Younger talent like Gabe Kirschke and Buom Jock will have the opportunity to step up.
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Today marks just the second meeting between these two teams and the first since 1975. Here's what you need to know:
College football 2024: Colorado State vs. Texas predictions
Thomas Jones writes: "The season kicks off against a traditionally scrappy foe from the Mountain West Conference, but any problems against a Rams team that went 5-7 a year ago would raise immediate concerns ahead of a first-ever trip to Michigan’s Big House."
Pete Fiutak writes: "Texas will win - it’ll come up with a big scoring burst to push ahead just enough to not worry - but Colorado State won’t make this light and breezy. There will be just enough for Longhorn fans to be a wee bit grouchy, but the Ram defense won’t be able to hold up once Quinn Ewers and the midrange passing game gets going. Expect a lot of fireworks and a lot of fun - and a lot of big Texas plays to set the tone for next week’s trip to Ann Arbor."
Eric Henry, Horns247 : Texas 45, Colorado State 17
Henry says: "The Texas secondary faces an immediate test with the Rams testing whether the Longhorns have improved as tacklers on the back after last season when failing to get receivers down resulted in plenty of yards-after-the-catch opportunities for opponents... I do expect though, is for this year's Texas team to be as good as advertised. The team's play in the trenches and the continued development of Quinn Ewers will lead to the Longhorns putting Colorado State away early."
Staff write: "The Longhorns reloaded with transfers on the defensive side of the ball, so I think the Rams stand a chance of covering the spread. Should the Longhorns’ pass defense continue to struggle, CSU will be able to score a couple of touchdowns and look for a backdoor cover down the stretch. The Longhorns are undoubtedly a more talented team than CSU and should cruise past the Rams. But Texas will play Michigan in Week 2, so I expect the Longhorns to rest some of their key players in the fourth quarter and allow CSU to cover."
Colorado State vs. Texas odds, lines:
The Longhorns are heavy favorites to defeat Colorado State in Saturday's college football matchup, according to the BetMGM college football odds . Looking to wager? Check out the top college football betting apps in 2024 offering the top NCAA football betting promos and bonuses in 2024 .
Odds as of Thursday morning.
- Spread: Texas (-32.5)
- Moneylines: n/a
- Over/under: 60.5
How to watch Colorado State vs. Texas:
Date: Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024
Where: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN+ , Fubo , Sling TV
Catch the game: Stream college football with a Fubo subscription
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado State vs. Texas football: Predictions, odds and how to watch Saturday
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