Baylor’s trip into Big 12 play this Saturday the 26th comes with a fresh scouting report, and Colorado’s 41-7 loss at Northwestern offered plenty for the Bears to study. With Baylor finishing a three-game home stretch against the Buffaloes, the film from that blowout should give the Bears a clear look at where Colorado can be stressed.
One of the biggest issues for Colorado was simple control of the game. The Buffaloes held the ball for just 3:50 in the first quarter, then only 23:07 for the full afternoon.
When an offense can’t sustain drives, the defense gets stuck absorbing hit after hit, and that’s exactly how Northwestern kept the pressure on. Colorado had chances, but failed fourth down tries and turnovers kept the game from ever settling in its favor.
That’s where Baylor’s own identity comes into focus. The Bears have been built this season, by the words of several coaches and players, around the idea of starting fast and staying strong.
Against Colorado, that means looking hard at the way Northwestern attacked through the air and using the same blueprint if possible. Baylor’s defense has been sharp so far, and there’s no reason to ease up now.
The red zone numbers also stand out. Northwestern reached the red zone six times and scored on every trip.
Colorado got there only once and came away empty. Baylor, meanwhile, showed real improvement in that area this week, going 3-for-3 in the red zone with two touchdowns and a field goal.
That sets up an offense that should lean on the safe side of the playbook. There’s no need to force the issue when a game-manager approach has already worked for Baylor in its last two games. If Nate Bennett is the guy, a line like 21-of-24 for 250-plus yards and three touchdowns would fit the script, especially if it comes with a win.
Still, the plan changes if DJ Lagway is under center. Bennett has shown he can move, but he is more of a pocket passer.
Lagway can do that too, but his legs add another layer Colorado has to account for. Defending him cleanly means dedicating extra bodies to the run.
Protecting against the pass means loading the secondary. Doing both at once is the problem.
That’s the edge Baylor can press. Colorado may be ready for Prime Time, but it does not look ready for a healthy Lagway and the Bears.
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Deion Sanders Calls Out A Colorado Issue Fans Will Hate
The laughter in the aftermath of Colorados 41-7 loss to Northwestern clearly bothered Deion Sanders, who made it plain that the reaction from some players did not sit right with him. For a Buffaloes team trying to reset after a flat performance, the issue was not just the score but the tone, with turnovers and offensive inconsistency underscoring how badly things went on the field.
As Colorado turns the page toward Big 12 play, Sanders is pressing accountability as much as execution. The message now is less about salvaging one bad afternoon and more about making sure the Buffaloes carry the right edge into a conference stretch that will reveal quickly whether the lesson from Northwestern actually sticks. [Read more 🡒]
Deion Sanders Had To Address A Troubling Colorado Issue Fast
The Buffaloes 41-7 loss to Northwestern in a season opener that got away quickly left Deion Sanders with more to clean up than just the scoreboard. Early turnovers helped put Colorado in a hole, and Sanders spent his postgame remarks acknowledging the mistakes while also tipping his cap to Northwesterns coaching and execution.
More concerning for Colorado was the broader lesson Sanders had to address after the game, including player behavior and the need for a sharper standard in response to adversity. With Big 12 play looming, the emphasis now shifts to preparation and correction, because the Buffaloes cant afford to let one poor start turn into a pattern. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Faces A New O-Line Concern In Crucial Road Test
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The concern does not stop there, either, with wide receiver Danny Scudero still working toward possible game participation and his status unresolved. For a Colorado offense that can ill afford more uncertainty in a tough road setting, the line news adds one more layer of pressure as the Buffaloes try to keep things steady against Northwestern. [Read more 🡒]