Colorado returns home to face No. 12 Texas Tech
By: Shane Holcombe & Jake Chau
The Colorado Buffaloes (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) will try to stop the season from snowballing against the No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) on Saturday at Folsom Field.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has yet to officially name his starting quarterback at the time of writing, but reports widely suggest third-year Isaac Wilson will take the game’s first snap under center.
“The kid is excited about the possibilities," Sanders said about Wilson on Tuesday. "I'm proud of that young man."
The Buffaloes are trying to win their first conference since a 24-17 victory over the then No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones in October 2025.
Meet the opponent
Fifth-year head coach Joey McGuire leads Texas Tech, which has revolutionized the program. The Red Raiders beat Sam Houston 49-14 last weekend, when linebacker Austin Romaine picked off two passes for pick-sixes.
Quarterback Will Hammond won the starting job in the offseason after Cincinnati Bearcats transfer Brendan Sorsby was ruled ineligible due to gambling activity. Hammond has thrown four touchdown passes in four games but has also thrown five interceptions (most in the Big 12).
The Red Raiders have shown signs of vulnerability and have had to close out tight games twice this season against Oregon State and No. 20 Houston, respectively.
That’s something they weren’t too familiar with a year ago. In the 12 games Texas Tech won last season, they won by at least 20 points in all of them, making them just the fifth FBS team since 1936 to do so.
How Colorado wins the game
Shane: Don’t sleepwalk into the game.
The Buffaloes have been outscored 31-3 in the first half in their last two games, which is no formula for competing with the defending Big 12 champions. The energy at Folsom should be high on Homecoming Weekend, and Colorado needs to feed off that from kickoff.
If the Buffaloes’ defense can cause a few turnovers and make tackles for loss in the backfield, CU has the chance to make this competitive. The defensive unit will look to build on a solid showing against Baylor when they made nine tackles for loss and picked off Bears quarterback DJ Lagway.
Jake: Isaac Wilson balls out.
Though Sanders hasn’t named a starter yet, reports from CBS Sports and ESPN suggest Wilson will lead the Buffs out of the tunnel. Wilson earned his spot after a 156-yard passing performance last week, including a touchdown to Joseph Williams. That was the best the Buffs offense looked, and it will have to continue against the Red Raiders if they want a shot at winning.
Furthermore, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion will have to open the playbook a little with a new jersey under center; it could throw fits for a Red Raiders defense that only has one half’s worth of film on Wilson.
How Colorado loses the game
Jake: Continue their lackluster performances with penalties and on special teams. Only nine teams in the nation have more than the Buffs’ 82.25 penalty yards per game, and they rank in the bottom fourth in every special teams category. If those struggles continue and the Buffs keep playing like they have the past few weeks, their chances of pulling off an upset go from slim to none.
Shane: The quarterback change does more harm than good.
This might be the worst possible situation Isaac Wilson could’ve stepped into for his first start of the season against a top-15 opponent. While Wilson looked less scared than Lewis last week, he'll face a Texas Tech defense that has already forced six turnovers this season.
I think there’s an argument that not starting Lewis in this spot is detrimental not only to his confidence, but also to the entire offense, which has already been poor.
If the results turn in Colorado’s favor, nobody will care as much about the switch, but it’s tough to stomach how this situation has arrived since Lewis has been the de facto face of the program the past calendar year.
X Factor
Shane: Offensive Coordinator Brennan Marion. His “Go-Go” offense is averaging just 11.3 points per game against FBS opponents this season and has gotten progressively worse week over week. That’s the opposite of what should happen as a season goes on.
The good news for Marion is wide receiver DeAndre Moore’s injury isn’t as bad as initially thought, and he should be good to go on Saturday. Marion needs to make it a point to get playmakers like Moore the ball and keep taking shots downfield to Williams and Quannell Farrakhan Jr.
Make the opening series manageable for Wilson, but don’t be afraid to throw in wrinkles once the game settles down. The Buffaloes’ best play last week was a reverse pass play call that went for 49 yards.
If the offense continues to be pedestrian, however, this home crowd could turn against Marion with boos that Colorado hasn’t had to deal with on the road.
Jake: It all begins up front. Colorado’s offense has been struggling to generate the high-flying plays Marion’s “Go-Go” offense seemed to promise.
In large part, that’s because Colorado is allowing 2.5 sacks per game, a top-30 sack number at 109th in the nation. The Red Raiders are averaging 2.5 sacks per game. If Colorado’s offensive line can prevent the pocket from collapsing, they’ll be able to open up Marion’s playbook.
Bold prediction
Jake: I’ve been lucky in this section in the past, but this week may be my boldest prediction yet. In a homecoming game, with fans begging for football at Folsom Field again, Isaac Wilson nets 250 total yards and two touchdowns to upset the Red Raiders.
Shane: Texas Tech returns a kick for a touchdown. The Colorado special teams unit has been subpar in the return game and gave up a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown to Georgia Tech in week one.
Baylor’s average starting field position last week was their own 39-yard line, and that field position battle proved vital. For comparison, the Buffaloes’ average starting position was their own 19-yard line. I think the Red Raiders break one for paydirt, dare I say, their opening possession of the second half, to put the nail in Colorado’s hopes.
Final score prediction
Shane: Texas Tech wins 34-17.
Colorado starts the game better than the past few weeks, but too many glaring holes keep them from going toe-to-toe with the Big 12’s finest.
Wilson provides a little spark with his arm, but the fumble issues continue for the Buffaloes with a backbreaking error right before halftime. Colorado fans will leave Folsom with plenty of questions about what the rest of the season holds after the bye week.
Jake: I’ll have some faith in the Buffs to match my bold prediction, saying they win 21-17.
The defense is able to make Texas Tech one-dimensional on offense, and Wilson hits the 250-yard mark while fans pour over the “Colorado” and Folsom Field provides more magic.
Comments