Honestly, if you follow Colorado State football, you know the vibe in Fort Collins has been a weird mix of desperate hope and "here we go again" for a long time. But the csu rams football record took a turn in 2025 that nobody—literally nobody—saw coming after the high of the previous year.
We were all sitting there in 2024 watching Jay Norvell finally "cook." The Rams went 8-5. They beat Wyoming to bring the Bronze Boot back home. They even made it to the Arizona Bowl. Sure, they lost to Miami (Ohio) in that bowl game, but for a program that hadn’t seen the postseason since 2017, 8-5 felt like a massive win. Fast forward to October 19, 2025, and everything hit a brick wall.
The Shocking 2025 csu rams football record
The university fired Jay Norvell on a Sunday afternoon.
It was a cold move. He was only midway through his fourth season, but a 2-5 start was the nail in the coffin. The offense, which was supposed to be this high-flying "Air Raid" machine, basically stalled out. The Rams were averaging 2.5 yards per rush in Norvell's final game—a 31-19 home loss to Hawaii. You just can't win like that.
After Tyson Summers took over as the interim head coach, things didn't magically get better. The Rams finished the 2025 season with a dismal 2-10 record. They went 1-7 in the Mountain West. That is a brutal regression from an eight-win season.
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How did the record get this bad?
Injuries played a huge role. By the time they played Hawaii in mid-October, five Week 1 starters were out for the year. Four of those guys were on defense. You’ve also got to look at the roster turnover. Norvell brought in 47 newcomers for the 2025 season, including 31 transfers. It turns out that much "newness" doesn't always lead to chemistry.
Jackson Brousseau took over at quarterback for Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi late in the season, but the spark just wasn't there.
A Century of Wins and Losses
If you look at the all-time csu rams football record, the numbers aren't exactly pretty. As of the end of the 2025 season, the program has played 118 years of football. Their cumulative record stands at roughly 541 wins, 607 losses, and 31 ties.
They have a winning percentage of .473.
It hasn't always been a struggle, though. The Sonny Lubick era (1993–2007) is still the gold standard in Fort Collins. Lubick led the Rams to nine bowl games and six conference championships. During that stretch, the Rams weren't just a "good for a mid-major" team—they were a legitimate national threat. They finished the 2000 season ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll.
Rivalry Breakdown: The Games That Matter
The record against rivals is usually how fans judge a season. It’s the "did we beat CU and Wyoming?" test.
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- The Rocky Mountain Showdown (vs. Colorado): This is the one that hurts. CSU trails the series against the Buffs 22-66-2. The 2024 loss (28-9) and the 2023 double-overtime heartbreaker (43-35) showed the gap is still there, despite the hype.
- The Border War (vs. Wyoming): This is much closer. The Rams lead the all-time series against the Cowboys 60-52-5.
- The Ram–Falcon Trophy (vs. Air Force): Air Force has been a thorn in CSU's side for decades. The Falcons lead the series 40-22-1. In 2025, Air Force handled the Rams 42-21 in Fort Collins, continuing a trend where the Falcons seem to have CSU's number at Canvas Stadium.
Bowl Games: A History of Close Calls
The Rams have been to 18 bowl games in their history. Their record in those games is 6-12.
The last win was back in 2013 at the New Mexico Bowl, where they beat Washington State 48-45 in a wild comeback. Since then? It’s been five straight bowl losses.
- 2014 Las Vegas Bowl: Loss to Utah
- 2015 Arizona Bowl: Loss to Nevada
- 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Loss to Idaho (61-50 score, which was insane)
- 2017 New Mexico Bowl: Loss to Marshall
- 2024 Arizona Bowl: Loss to Miami (OH)
What Most People Get Wrong About CSU Football
Most people think the Rams are just a "basketball school" now because of the success of the hoops program. That’s sort of a myth. The football program has top-tier facilities. Canvas Stadium cost $220 million. It’s one of the best stadiums in the Group of Five.
The issue hasn't been money or support. It's been coaching consistency. Since Jim McElwain left for Florida in 2014, the csu rams football record has been a rollercoaster. Mike Bobo had three winning seasons but couldn't get over the seven-win hump. Steve Addazio was a disaster (4-12 total). Jay Norvell gave fans a glimpse of greatness in 2024 before the 2025 collapse.
Where Does the Program Go From Here?
The search for a new head coach is the only thing that matters right now. The Rams need someone who can recruit the portal but also develop high school talent.
Expect the university to look for a coach with strong ties to the region. They need someone who understands the "Border War" and isn't just using Fort Collins as a stepping stone.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Transfer Portal: With a coaching change, expect a lot of Rams players to hit the portal. The 2026 record will depend entirely on who stays.
- Check Recruiting Rankings: CSU usually lands in the top three of the Mountain West for recruiting. If that drops under the new staff, it’s a bad sign.
- Keep an eye on the schedule: The 2026 non-conference slate will be a huge indicator of whether the "survival mode" of 2025 is actually over.
The record is 541-607-31. It’s time to start moving that win column closer to .500 again.