Colorado heads into its Big 12 opener at Baylor with a handful of roster questions hanging over the matchup, and a few clear pressure points that could swing the game on Sept. 26.
The biggest one starts on the Baylor side. Signs point to prized Florida quarterback transfer Lagway playing, since he's listed as probable.
Backup quarterback Nate Bennett went 2-0 in his absence, but faced non-Power Four teams in Prairie View A&M and Louisiana Tech. Baylor needs its best players on the field for the Big 12 and that includes Lagway.
That puts the focus right back on Colorado’s defense, and specifically on whether the pass rush can show up after the week three abomination in Evanston, Illinois. Lagway can hurt teams with both his arm and his legs, but he tends to become erratic and develop sloppy feet when pressured.
Edge rusher Lamont Lester Jr. has to be part of that answer after flashing in the opener against Georgia Tech. This is the kind of game where the former FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) star can show he belongs in the Big 12. The same goes for fellow former FCS edge rusher Toby Anene, who has only one sack in three games.
Defensive coordinator Chris Marve has a chance to dial up his most aggressive pass-rushing plan yet now that CU is in conference play and facing an NFL caliber passer.
On the other side, Colorado’s offense has already given Brennan Marion plenty to work with. Through three games, the Buffaloes have had three rushers top 100 yards, and they enter the Baylor game ranked 50th nationally on the ground, a 54-spot jump from last season.
Micah Welch has settled into the "Go-Go" offense with his contact balance and power. Sacramento State transfer Damian Henderson II has also emerged as a reliable secondary inside option to Welch. Fellow ex-Hornet JaQuail Smith is the lightning back and sits second on the team in rushing.
But the injury situation is starting to bite. Smith is banged up but will play, while Henderson is listed as doubtful. If Henderson can’t go, Colorado loses a big piece of the physical edge it’s been building.
That could open the door for more work for Alabama transfer Richard Young, though his Colorado start has been slow. Even so, Baylor’s run defense gives the Buffaloes a real chance to keep the ground game rolling. The Bears are ranked 40th nationally against the run and are allowing 101.7 yards per game.
Then there’s Julian Lewis, who gets another shot in Week four to reset his season and prove he can handle a Power Four defense. His best outing came against FCS opponent Weber State, while he’s had tougher nights against Georgia Tech and Northwestern, including two interceptions in the latter game.
Baylor’s pass defense is ranked 52nd overall and is giving up 185.3 yards through the air, so Lewis will need to settle in early and stay composed if the Bears tighten things up. His performance, and his leadership, will be under the spotlight in this one.
In Other News...
Baylor Hit Leaves Colorado With One Big Early Big 12 Concern
DeAndre Moore Jr.s night ended in the kind of swing play that can linger well beyond one Saturday in September. The Colorado wide receiver was injured after a tackle from Baylor linebacker Travion Barnes, on a collision that included helmet-to-helmet contact, though officials did not throw a targeting flag. Moore was eventually ruled out at the start of the third quarter, a loss that immediately changed the feel of the matchup and left Colorado trying to adjust on the fly.
For the Buffaloes, the bigger worry is what it could mean as Big 12 play gets rolling. Depth at receiver is always under the microscope early in a season, and losing a player like Moore adds another layer of uncertainty to an offense trying to find its footing against league competition. Baylor will move on to the next snap, but Colorado is left with a concern that goes well beyond one hit. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Opened Big 12 Play With A Win And A Bigger Debate
Baylor opened Big 12 play with a 23-13 win over Colorado, stretching its winning streak to three games and getting DJ Lagway back on the field after his ankle injury. Even so, it was the kind of victory that left plenty to sort through. The defense did enough to tilt the game, creating pressure, recording sacks and coming away with a fumble recovery, while the offense had a harder time finding its footing behind penalties and inconsistency.
Dave Aranda has made the search for a cleaner performance a recurring theme, and this one fit that bill again. Baylor completed less than half its passes and never got the rushing attack rolling the way it wanted, which is why the margin of victory felt a little different from the final score. The Bears got the result they needed, but the bigger question now is how much better this group can look once the offense settles in around a quarterback still working through that ankle issue. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Finally Got A Big 12 Win But One Debate Isnt Over
Baylor finally broke through in Big 12 play with a win over Colorado, and there was plenty to like about how it happened. The Bears got impact work from across the roster, with the defense piling up five sacks, 13 tackles for loss and a forced fumble, while special teams added a spark through McGowans seven punt returns for 139 yards. Gavin Freeman also chipped in with six catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, giving the offense a much-needed complement on a day when the game never felt like it belonged to just one phase.
DJ Lagways first home game added another layer to the conversation. He completed 19 of 39 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, but his mobility looked limited after the ankle injury, which leaves Baylor with a decision to sort through even after the win. The result mattered most in the standings, but the bigger question now is how the Bears balance what they need from Lagway with what he can realistically provide as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]