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...
Georgia Tech Has A Breakout Chance Fans Will Be Watching Saturday
Saturdays matchup with Stanford gives Georgia Tech another chance to see which young pieces are ready to push into bigger roles. The spotlight falls on a true freshman linebacker who has already flashed promising work on defense, a receiver who looks close to delivering a breakout performance, and a defensive lineman who just earned Player of the Week honors. It is the kind of game where progress can turn into production, especially for a team still sorting out which players can consistently tilt the field.
For the Yellow Jackets, the appeal is not just individual upside but how those developments fit together within the broader group. Coaches and players have talked about growth, roles and chemistry, and this weekend should offer a clearer read on who is emerging as a reliable part of the rotation. If Georgia Tech gets the kind of contributions it has been waiting for, the Stanford game could tell a lot about where this team is headed next. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Offense Is Hiding One Encouraging Sign Fans Should Notice
Melvin Jordans return from the transfer portal has quietly given Georgia Tech a useful piece on offense, and the early payoff has been his ability to handle meaningful snaps as a backup. For a team still trying to sharpen its attack, that kind of depth matters, especially when the staff is also making a point to spread the ball around and see what it has beyond the usual names.
Debron Gatling, Jaiven Plummer and Isaiah Fuhrmann have all been worked into the mix more often, while tight end Chris Corbo is also being pushed toward a larger role. Add in the expectation that the young quarterback will keep growing as the season goes along, and there is at least one encouraging sign for Georgia Tech fans: the offense is not just searching for answers, it is trying to build them into a broader base of players. [Read more 🡒]
What Georgia Fans Could Learn From This Oklahoma Test
The Georgia-Georgia Tech crowd will have plenty to monitor when the Bulldogs host Oklahoma in Athens, because the matchup carries more intrigue than a typical early-season test. Georgias backfield remains part of the conversation with Nate Frazier listed as questionable, which could open the door for Bowens to take on a bigger role, while Gunner Stockton has continued to spread the ball around and keep the offense on schedule.
Oklahoma arrives with some real concerns of its own, especially a running game that has not found much traction and has put extra pressure on the rest of the offense. With Georgia coming in healthier, more settled and coming off stronger recent performances, the Bulldogs are favored to handle the Sooners, even if this one still offers a useful measuring stick for both sides. [Read more 🡒]