Colorado wideout Joseph Williams has quietly put together one of the most reliable stretches on the Buffaloes’ roster, even as the offense around him has wobbled through a three-game losing slide.
The conversation in Boulder has mostly centered on the quarterback spot and what Deion Sanders will do there with No. 11 Utah up next.
That makes sense. Utah arrives with a loaded defense and a dangerous cornerback duo in Elijah Reed and Elijah Davis, who have combined for 10 pass breakups.
The Utes are seventh in the nation in total defense, and the source frames them as the best Big 12 defense for 2026. Morgan Scalley’s reputation for producing NFL-caliber defensive backs only sharpens that challenge for Williams.
Even so, Williams has been on a steady tear. He has recorded back-to-back games with at least 10 catches, and his workload appears likely to climb no matter who is taking snaps. Through Colorado’s uneven quarterback play, Williams has remained the one steady outlet.
That said, Utah looks like the toughest matchup on the schedule for him. If there is one game most likely to slow down his 2026 production, it’s this one.
The more inviting stretch comes after that. Oklahoma State, Colorado’s Oct. 17 opponent, ranks 50th nationally on defense as of Oct.
- Outside of a 59-0 rout of Murray State, the Cowboys have allowed 24 points or more against Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
Unranked Kansas State sits higher defensively at 39th, but the broader point is clear: Oklahoma State gives Williams a real chance to work. It helps that he should be a quick read for whoever starts at quarterback - Isaac Wilson, Julian Lewis, or someone else.
Arizona State also looms as a strong spot for Williams to pile up production. The Buffaloes will see the nation’s No. 106-ranked defense when they travel there to start November, which makes that game another one where a 10-catch night feels within reach.
Houston is a different kind of problem. The Cougars rank 38th defensively and bring a secondary featuring Jordan Allen, Javion White, and Jalen Mayo. Those three have combined for 14 pass breakups, and Houston will try to squeeze the middle of the field against Williams.
Later in the season, Cincinnati and UCF both look more manageable. Cincinnati ranks 66th defensively and allows 260 passing yards per game, while UCF sits at No. 54 and has given up 236.8 passing yards a game. The source notes that UCF has already struggled against Houston and Oklahoma State.
Williams has already shown he can produce even when the passing game around him is in flux. He caught 11 passes against Baylor and then 10 against Texas Tech, a defense that has developed into one of the nation’s better units.
If Colorado does not clean up its quarterback situation, Utah could very well end up being the roughest outing on Williams’ 2026 ledger. Houston also stands as a late-season hurdle. But the best chances for Williams to top double-digit receptions and push past 100 yards look to be Oklahoma State and Arizona State.
Projected final numbers: 77 receptions, 1,090 yards, 10 touchdowns
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