Texas Football Week 1 Preview: Colorado State Offensive Players to Watch

The Texas Longhorns could be challenged through the air by Colorado State

Nov 18, 2023; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams wide receiver Tory Horton (14) tries to make a catch in the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports / Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Longhorns are set to kick off the 2024 season on Saturday when the Colorado State Rams come to town, looking to play spoiler.

Obviously, that will be an extremely tall task for the Rams, with Texas returning one of the best rosters in all of college football. In fact, as it stands, the Horns are currently favored by 33.5 points.

That said, while the Rams are likely to be completely outmatched on both sides of the ball, they should not be written off entirely.

Why? Because they have some returning talent of their own - specifically on the offensive side of the ball, where one of the best pass catchers in the nation is set to come back for his final season, as well as experience at the quarterback spot.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the Rams offense, and which players Longhorns fans should keep an eye onr at DKR in the season opener.

1. WR Tory Horton

Nov 18, 2023; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams wide receiver Tory Horton (14) tries to make a catch in the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports / Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

One of the top returning pass catchers in all of college football, Horton is coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Rams and is poised to have yet another one in 2024.

Last season alone, Horton finished with 96 catches for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns, while in 2022, he had 71 catches for 1,131 yards and another eight scores.

The Horns should be improved in the secondary in a big way in 2024, but Horton will still be a major challenge.

2. QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi

CSU football's freshman running back Justin Marshall (29) is congratulated by freshman quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (16) after a touchdown against San Diego State at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Marshall became the first CSU freshman running back to record 100-plus yards on the ground since 1974. / Cris Tiller/For the Coloradoan / USA

The other half of one of the most dangerous QB/WR duos in the Moutain West, quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi has the ability to hurt anyone through the air and showed a tremendous rapport with Horton from Day 1 as a freshman.

Last season, Fowler-Nicolosi completed 292 of 470 for 3,460 yards with 22 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, as well as a 132.61 QB rating.

Now with a full offseason under his belt, Fowler-Nicolosi should be able to take a step forward and be even more productive.

3. RB - Justin Marshall

Nov 18, 2023; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams running back Justin Marshall (29) running back Justin Marshall (29) finds running room against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports / Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Redshirt Freshman Justin Marshall burst onto the scene at the tail end of last season for the Rams, rushing 57 times for 311 yards and two scores over the final three games of the season. He didn't have a single carry in a game until Nov. 11 and still finished the year as the team's second-leading rusher.

In 2024, he is expected to be the bell cow and could cause the new-look Longhorns defensive front some issues if they don't have things figured out by the opener. Look for Marshall to get the ball early and often in Austin.