Colorado heads into Week 8 carrying a four-game losing streak, but last weekend’s 27-24 loss to No. 11 Utah at least gave the Buffaloes something to build on. The offense showed life, and that alone has created a little optimism around a team that has spent much of the fall grinding for answers.
That said, the road ahead is steep. Colorado now heads to Stillwater for a matchup with Oklahoma State, a team that has lived in the top 25 for much of the season and brings one of the nation’s most dangerous offenses to the field. The Cowboys are averaging more than 500 yards per game, and quarterback Drew Mestemaker is putting up nearly 330 passing yards per game.
For Colorado, the formula is clear enough: the defense has to deliver its best outing of the season, and that likely means forcing multiple mistakes from Mestemaker. On the other side, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion will be hoping last week’s progress can carry over into a more complete showing. If the Buffaloes can’t slow down Oklahoma State’s passing game, Isaac Wilson and the offense may have to keep pace in a shootout.
ESPN’s analytics models do not give Colorado much room. The Football Power Index gives Oklahoma State a 78.3% chance to win, while Colorado sits at 21.7%.
In SP+, the Cowboys are ranked No. 27 nationally, with the Buffaloes at No. 80.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT on Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and the game will air nationally on FS1.
The betting market also leans heavily toward Oklahoma State. According to FanDuel odds listed as of Oct. 23, the Cowboys are 13.5-point favorites.
Oklahoma State is -630 on the money line, while Colorado sits at +450. The over/under is 56.5.
In Other News...
Reagan Kotschau Gave Colorado Fans Another Reason To Celebrate
Colorados womens soccer team kept rolling with a 4-0 win over Arizona, getting goals from four different players and another clean sheet in a season that has been defined by control on both ends. Senior midfielder Reagan Kotschau was right in the middle of it, helping the Buffaloes dictate the pace while head coach Danny Sanchez saw his group back up the momentum with another convincing road performance.
Kotschau also gave Buffaloes fans a milestone to remember, adding to a season that has already featured plenty of production from the veteran midfielder. Colorado outshot Arizona 13-5 and never let the Wildcats generate a shot on goal, which made the night feel even more complete as the Buffs locked down their ninth shutout of the year. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Faces An Oklahoma State Threat Fans Shouldn't Overlook
Oklahoma State arrives with more than just a dangerous offense, because Drew Mestemaker has become one of the more talked-about quarterbacks in the country. The buzz around him has been loud enough to push him into first-round NFL Draft conversations, and some mock drafts have even sent him as high as No. 2. He has been a major reason the program has regained national attention, with head coach Eric Morris leaning into modern recruiting methods and an offensive system that fits Mestemaker's skill set.
For Colorado, the challenge is obvious: this is a quarterback who can swing a game with his arm and command a defense's full attention. The concern for Oklahoma State, though, is that the hype comes with some volatility, and Mestemaker has already thrown six interceptions this season. That makes him a fascinating threat to prepare for, because the ceiling is enormous even if the margin for error has not disappeared. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Injury News Could Change What Oklahoma State Faces Saturday
Colorados injury report for Saturdays visit from Oklahoma State brought a little more clarity, even if it still leaves the Buffaloes short-handed heading into Week 8. The official list shows seven players unavailable, but there was at least some movement in the right direction as Ashley and Lester were upgraded from questionable to probable, giving Deion Sanders team a bit more optimism on the margins.
The more revealing part of the report came with Richardson and Atkins being taken off the injury list altogether, which usually points to something bigger than a simple week-to-week setback. For Colorado, that matters in a few different spots, from depth on defense to the tight end room, and it leaves the Buffs still sorting out who is truly close to returning before they try to handle an Oklahoma State team that will be watching those updates just as closely. [Read more 🡒]