Colorado to Kick Off Homecoming in Primetime

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. celebrates with fans after CU's win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (photo by Aspen Doust/Sko Buffs Sports).

On Monday, the Big 12 announced the kickoff time for the Colorado Buffaloes (2-1) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-0) game on Oct. 3. The game is set to kick off at 5:30 p.m. MT. This puts the Buffaloes in an evening game, but luckily for the Buffs, not a late-night game.

Under Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, the Buffaloes are 9-5 when the game kicks off before 7:30 p.m. However, when kickoff is set for after 7:30, the Buffs move down to a record of 5-9.

This is going to be very important for the Buffaloes coming into this game, as they’re coming off a blowout loss going into conference play. The Buffs will also travel to Waco, Texas, to play the Baylor Bears before their homecoming matchup against Texas Tech

The Buffs had a great start to the season, beating the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 14-13, and a week later beating the Weber State Wildcats 52-21. But the tide turned for the Buffaloes during their most recent matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats, losing 41-7. 

Needless to say, Colorado will be looking for any advantage it can get going up against Texas Tech, which is the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 this year. Given that task, playing this game before 7:30 could be a welcome advantage for the Buffs.

Last time Colorado and the Red Raiders met was in 2024, when quarterback Shedeur Sanders was at the helm and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter anchored the offensive and the defensive sides of the ball. Colorado won that matchup 41-27. 

But these two teams have changed a lot in the past two years. Colorado lost Hunter and Sanders, and Texas Tech has become a powerhouse. So despite a convincing win in their last meeting, the Buffaloes are now the underdogs looking to pull an upset.