Colorado’s trip to Waco on Saturday brings back a series that has rarely stayed quiet for long, even if the meetings themselves have often been spread far apart. The Buffaloes and Bears will meet for the 18th time when they kick off the Big 12 opener at 10 a.m. MT at McLane Stadium, with ESPN2 carrying the game.
Colorado owns a 10-7 edge in the all-time series, and that includes a 4-2 mark in Waco. The Buffs also won the latest meeting, a 38-31 overtime victory at Folsom Field on Sept. 21, 2024, a game that turned into one of the signature finishes of the Deion Sanders era.
That 2024 matchup came after a 14-year gap between the programs. Baylor had a 31-24 lead when regulation ended, then Shedeur Sanders scrambled left and uncorked a 43-yard Hail Mary in the rain to LaJohntay Wester in the end zone. Wester hauled it in to force overtime and send Folsom Field into chaos.
Colorado finished the job in overtime when Micah Welch scored to put the Buffs ahead for the first time since early in the game. Baylor then drove to the Colorado 2-yard line on its final possession, but Travis Hunter jarred the ball loose from Dominic Richardson near the goal line. The ball rolled out of the end zone, sealing the 38-31 win for Colorado.
The programs first met in 1959, when Sonny Grandelius’ Buffaloes beat Baylor 15-7 in Boulder. The series came together only intermittently for years after that, including during Colorado’s Big Eight run and Baylor’s time in the Southwest Conference. One of those meetings came in the 1986 Bluebonnet Bowl, when Baylor beat Colorado 21-9.
The matchup became more consistent once Colorado joined the Big 12 in 1996. The teams played every year through 2010, the last season before Colorado left for the Pac-12. After Colorado returned to the Big 12 in 2024, the conference reunion produced a finish neither side is likely to forget anytime soon.
Both teams enter Saturday at 2-1. Colorado is coming off a 41-7 loss at Northwestern, while Baylor beat Louisiana Tech 36-19. The Buffs have not played in Waco since a 31-30 loss there in 2010, which remains the last Baylor win in the series.
Colorado vs. Baylor series record: 10-7 Colorado
Boulder: Colorado leads 6-4
Waco: Colorado leads 4-2
Current streak: Colorado won 1
First meeting: Colorado won 15-7 on Sept. 26, 1959, in Boulder
Most recent meeting: Colorado won 38-31 in overtime on Sept. 21, 2024, in Boulder
Last road meeting: Colorado lost 31-30 on Oct. 16, 2010, in Waco
Largest Colorado win: Colorado won 37-0 on Nov. 13, 1999
Last Baylor win: Baylor won 31-30 on Oct. 16, 2010, in Waco
Total meetings: 17
In Other News...
Colorado Faces Immediate Lineup Uncertainty In Crucial Big 12 Opener
Colorado heads into its Big 12 opener against Baylor with the kind of injury report that can reshape a game plan before kickoff. The Buffaloes have already ruled out wide receiver Danny Scudero and offensive lineman Demetrius Hunter, two absences that thin out both the pass-catching group and the protection in front of the quarterback.
There are still more questions than answers around the rest of the roster, with tight end Charlie Williams and running back Damian Henderson among those listed as doubtful. The report leaves Colorado juggling lineup decisions at a time when the first conference game carries real early-season weight, and the final picture may not come into focus until much closer to game time. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Could Look Very Different For Its Big 12 Opener
Colorados first three games have already offered a little of everything, from a road upset at Georgia Tech to a reality check against Northwestern, and now the Buffaloes turn the page to their Big 12 opener against Baylor. The matchup comes with a different kind of challenge, too, because Baylor could look very different by then if several key players are back from injury, which would change the complexion of a game Colorado badly wants to steady after last week.
Julian Lewis was blunt about the need to clean things up after throwing two interceptions in the loss to Northwestern, and the Buffaloes will need that kind of response if they are going to reset the tone of their season. Baylors potential return of key pieces, including quarterback DJ Lagway, adds another layer to a conference opener that already feels like an early test of how quickly Colorado can recover from its first setback. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Needs One Transfer Receiver To Deliver Before Big 12 Play
Colorados passing game has spent the early part of the season searching for answers, especially against Power 4 opponents where the offense has not consistently found traction. Deion Sanders has made it clear the issues go beyond one game or one player, pointing to route running and consistency as areas where the receiving room has to clean things up, even as injuries have thinned the group and added more pressure to a young quarterback room led by Julian Lewis.
As Big 12 play approaches, the Buffs are still waiting on a transfer receiver to become the steady option the offense can lean on. Kam Perry is among the players Sanders has singled out as needing to sharpen the details, and Colorados hopes of getting the passing attack on track may depend on one of those newcomers turning promise into reliability before the schedule stiffens again. [Read more 🡒]