Colorado heads into Week 9 with a chance to finally breathe a little.
The Buffaloes are 2-5 overall and still searching for their first Big 12 win at 0-4, but Saturday’s home matchup against Kansas State looks more manageable than what Colorado has faced during its five-game skid. After getting hammered by Oklahoma State, the schedule eases up a bit with a banged-up Wildcats team coming to Boulder.
Kansas State arrives at 4-3 and 1-3 in Big 12 play, having dropped three of its last four, including last week’s road loss to Arizona State. The quarterback situation is a major concern for the Wildcats, who are dealing with injuries to every quarterback on the roster, even the emergency option. That leaves Colorado likely facing a signal caller who is not at full strength.
For the Buffaloes, the ground game could be the key. Kansas State owns the Big 12’s top pass defense, giving up just 147 yards per game through the air, but the run defense has been far less sturdy, ranking third-worst in the conference. That opens a door for Colorado to lean on the rushing attack and try to control the game on Saturday afternoon.
Kansas State comes in as only a slight favorite, and Colorado has its best shot at a win since Week 2 against Weber State.
The game will kick off at noon MT on TNT. It will also air on truTV and be simulcast on HBO Max.
Colorado-Kansas State will stream on Sling TV and HBO Max.
In Other News...
Deion Sanders Doubles Down As Latest Buffs Backlash Builds
Deion Sanders spent part of this week trying to clean up a comment that quickly took on a life of its own, and the Colorado coach made clear he was not actually offering anybody money to stop talking about him. He said the $50,000 line was meant as a joke about someone profiting off his name and brand, but once it landed in the wider conversation, it became another flashpoint around a program that rarely goes long without one.
The remark resurfaced again at his weekly news conference before Colorado hosts Kansas State, where Sanders stuck to the same message: he does not pay people to avoid criticism, and he was misinterpreted. The larger point sounded familiar from him, too, because criticism has followed much of his career and he said he remains unapologetic about what he says and does. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado's New Frontcourt Has To Fix What Sank The Buffs
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Eric Jacobsen is part of that conversation too, even if the first-year forward is still easing his way back from a torn ACL. His adjustment to the physicality of Big 12 play is still underway, which makes the early-season frontcourt rotation even more interesting for Colorado. However the minutes shake out, the Buffs need their new pieces to help stabilize a defense that has to be better if the season is going to go anywhere. [Read more 🡒]
Colorados First Big 12 Win May Hinge On One Kansas State Decision
Colorados search for its first Big 12 win could end up tied to one decision in Manhattan, where Kansas State is still sorting through the health of quarterback Avery Johnson. The Buffaloes already know the challenge he presents when hes available: he drives the Wildcats offense as both their top passer and their top runner, which makes him the kind of dual threat that can stress a defense on every snap.
Colorados plan, at least in theory, is to keep Johnson bottled up in the pocket and force him to win with his arm. But Kansas State has been dealing with quarterback injuries beyond Johnson, and even if he is cleared to play, theres no guarantee hell look or play the same way he normally does. For a Colorado defense trying to steady itself in conference play, the difference between an injured Johnson and no Johnson at all could shape the whole afternoon. [Read more 🡒]