Colorado heads into its Big 12 opener with a mixed injury picture, and the Buffaloes are still dealing with more absences than Baylor. The Bears will be down three defensive players and two offensive players, while Colorado is trying to get a few bodies back after a rough first three weeks.
The biggest concern for the Buffs remains the players who still can’t go. Scudero is out again, which stings after the preseason buzz around him and his brief return against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Charlie Williams is also unavailable, and that’s a real hit because he had emerged as the pass-catching tight end Colorado wanted over the first three games.
Colorado has also been without Gerlach since Week 1, when he was the placekicker against the Yellow Jackets. Elliot Arnold has handled that job well enough in his absence, so that loss should not loom as large as some of the others.
Henderson, though, is the one that could change how Colorado has to play. He is the Buffaloes’ third-leading rusher through three games and gives the offense a physical edge in the backfield. If he’s out, Colorado would have to lean on smaller running backs and get creative in short-yardage situations.
Payne’s absence is another one to watch. He was off to a strong start as a freshman, even earning a spot at coach Deion Sanders’ leadership retreat during the summer. This matchup would have been a useful early test against quality competition, even if the injury is not expected to linger.
There are also several names Colorado would prefer to keep available right up until kickoff. Smith delivered his breakout against the Northwestern Wildcats, rushing for 91 yards and averaging 11.4 yards per carry in the loss.
Gooden has been a two-way anchor on the offensive and defensive line, and Sanders has praised him repeatedly this season. He’s expected to matter in slowing Baylor’s pass rush, just as Bell is after his strong Week 1 showing against the Yellow Jackets.
At tight end, the Buffs need Atkins and Clements to stay available with Williams already ruled out. If either goes down, Colorado would have to turn to freshman tight ends and ask them to produce immediately on a stage like the Big 12 opener. That’s a spot the Buffaloes would rather avoid putting themselves in.
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 🡒]
Colorado Just Sent A Loud Early Message In The Big 12
Colorado opened Big 12 play at Prentup Field with the kind of result that can travel well beyond one September night, handling West Virginia 2-0 in its conference home opener. Hope Leyba and Reagan Kotschau provided the goals, while freshman goalkeeper Brooke Goerish backed it up with a clean sheet as the Buffaloes delivered a clean, composed performance against a team that had gone a long time without tasting a regular season loss.
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 🡒]
Colorados Secondary Faces A Big 12 Test It Cant Fake
Colorados defensive backs have spent the week talking less about the scoreboard and more about the details that decide games, with safety Naeten Mitchell and safeties coach Vonn Bell stressing the need to make plays and create turnovers before the Buffaloes head into a Big 12 matchup with Baylor. The task is straightforward enough on paper, but the challenge is a real one: Colorado has just one interception through three games, and the next opponent brings a pass-heavy attack that can punish even small lapses.
Bell has made it clear the back end has to stay disciplined, stay aware and trust the coaching points that have been built into the unit. For a secondary still trying to turn effort into takeaways, Baylor is the kind of test that can expose whether those lessons are sticking, and whether individual contributors are ready to help swing the game in Colorados favor. [Read more 🡒]