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...
Colorado Already Has An Early Transfer Watch Issue On Offense
Colorados offense has not found much rhythm early in the 2026 season, and the passing game has been the biggest drag on that effort. One of the more notable pieces of that slow start has been sophomore receiver Quentin Gibson, who came into the year with some preseason buzz but has been a quiet part of the attack, with only six catches for 25 yards and no touchdowns.
The bigger issue is what happens next if that usage does not change. Gibson has the kind of skill set that could still help the Buffaloes in a more defined role, whether as a gadget option or a primary returner, but right now his involvement is not matching the expectations that followed him into the season. For Colorado, the challenge is not just finding ways to get him the ball, but making sure his place in the offense feels substantial enough to keep this from turning into a transfer watch problem. [Read more 🡒]
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For Colorado, the win carried more weight than just three points. It snapped West Virginias 22-match regular season unbeaten streak and kept the Buffaloes tied for the program record for the longest home winning streak, a sign that the home field edge at Prentup is becoming something opponents have to plan around. Early in a crowded Big 12 race, it was the sort of statement that gives a team credibility before the schedule really starts to bite. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Injury Concerns Could Change Baylor's Big 12 Opener
Colorado heads into its Week 4 matchup with Baylor carrying a longer injury list than the Bears, and that could matter when the Big 12 opener gets going. The Buffaloes are expected to be without several key players, even as a few others are set to return, leaving the roster in a tricky spot as they try to steady things against a conference opponent already managing its own bumps and bruises.
The absences of contributors such as Scudero, Charlie Williams and Henderson would be felt in different parts of the lineup, especially if Colorado needs more depth than usual to handle a Baylor team with fewer injury concerns. It gives this game a different edge than a standard conference opener, because Colorado is not just preparing for a new league test, it is trying to navigate it while piecing together a healthier rotation on the fly. [Read more 🡒]