Nobody needs to tell Jay Norvell what type of challenge awaits Colorado State this Saturday. The Rams’ head coach once called plays in Austin about a decade ago.

Norvell was the Texas offensive coordinator for most of the 2015 season during the Charlie Strong era. That team finished with a 5-7 mark, but it wasn’t because of Norvell’s play-calling. The Longhorns just didn’t have enough star power.

That’s not the case anymore. Fourth-ranked Texas enters the season opener as a 32.5-point favorite and a 99-percent chance of winning, according to ESPN’s SP+ analytic models.

“They have a lot of home-run hitters,” Norvell told reporters Monday in Fort Collins, Colo. “We can’t give them a lot of at-bats.”

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Norvell left UT after the 2015 season for a short stop at Arizona State. He got the Nevada head coaching position in 2017 and guided the Wolf Pack to four bowl games in five seasons. He took over at Colorado State in 2022, and the Rams struggled with an 8-16 record the last two seasons combined.

Colorado State is like most mid-tier Division I programs. The school is angling to get into one of the now-Power Four conferences so it won’t get left behind financially. Best way to turn heads is knock off one of last year’s College Football Playoff participants.

There’s only one catch. Colorado State is 0-10 against ranked Power Five teams since 2004.

“When you play the University of Texas, you’re going to see a lot of speed,” Norvell said Monday. “Obviously, the quality of high school football down there is outstanding. And they basically get their pick. And so they’re going to have speed. And we’ve got to be smart about how we handle that.”

In 2022, Colorado State opened the season at Michigan. It was a 51-7 drubbing.

“I think we’re better prepared,” Norvell said. “I mean, our first year is really hard to compare to anything. I’ve never experienced anything like that in 40 years of college life. But I just think we have a committed roster that wants to be at CSU, that is excited about their role here. And so … it’s very different.”

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Under Norvell, the Rams run the familiar Air Raid offensive system developed by Hal Mumme and perfected by Mike Leach and later Art Briles. It requires large splits by the offensive linemen and quick releases by the quarterbacks. Usually, this type of offense doesn’t allow for defenders to register many sacks. The ball should be gone by the time defenders get there.

Colorado State’s best offensive weapon is receiver Tory Horton, who had 96 catches and 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns last season. EA Sports has Horton ranked as the nation’s fifth-best receiver in their famous College Football 25 video game.

If you’re going to have a one superstar receiver, best to use the Air Raid, really.

The Longhorns struggled in pass defense last season, and safety Michael Taaffe said tackling is everyone’s responsibility, not just the defensive backs.

“They run the ball probably a little more than people would think in that style of offense,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “We’re going to get their best shot.”