Lauren Gustin led BYU (0-3) with 15 points, 20 rebounds and three assists in 40 minutes, and Nani Falatea added 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Cougars.
McKenna Hofschild poured in 18 points and nine assists, and Colorado State used a 28-13 run through the third quarter to take control of the Rams season opener.
How can they possibly replace all that lost talent, and with a new coach? That seemed to be the consensus among West Coast Conference coaches toward BYU.
The main act for Thursday's edition of "the greatest show on earth" was defense, as No. 16 BYU shut down Santa Clara 76-44 to earn their ninth-straight victory.