Colorado’s next seven games don’t offer much breathing room, and the Buffaloes are heading into the hardest part of the schedule with a two-game skid hanging over them. After opening the season 2-0, CU now gets a return to Folsom Field for the next two weeks - but the road ahead only gets steeper from there.
Four of the teams left on the slate are currently ranked in the AP Top 25, which means the Buffaloes are staring at a brutal stretch that will test every part of the roster. And for each matchup, there’s one clear area Colorado has to win if it wants a shot at the upset.
Texas Tech comes first, and the Red Raiders bring a 4-0 record into the game. They’re built around a punishing ground attack and a quarterback rotation that keeps defenses off balance, which makes them a dangerous opponent right away in Boulder.
Colorado’s path is simple in theory and hard in practice: stop the run. The interior defensive line has to generate push and create tackles for loss, while the linebackers have to adjust without Tyler Martinez.
Then comes Utah, and the challenge gets even sharper. The Utes are the Big 12’s most complete team right now, with Devon Dampier playing at a high level and a defense that has been the conference’s best, giving up just 10.3 points per game.
For Colorado, that matchup hinges on whether Chris Marve’s edge rushers can get to Dampier. The Buffaloes probably won’t have much room to operate offensively, so forcing pressure on the Utah quarterback is the best way to keep the game within reach.
Oklahoma State is next, and the Cowboys have shaken off their Week 1 loss to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane with three straight strong performances. Their win over then-No. 6 Oregon sparked the offense, and they backed it up by controlling West Virginia in Week 4.
Against Colorado, the secondary becomes the story. Drew Mestemaker has been carving up defenses, and if the Buffaloes’ defensive backs leave openings, he’s likely to exploit every one of them. In this game, coverage isn’t just important - it decides the outcome.
Kansas State arrives after that, and the Wildcats are coming off their first loss of the season to the Cincinnati Bearcats. Even in defeat, they looked dangerous. Avery Johnson appears to be playing up to his talent, and that has given the offense real rhythm.
Colorado’s answer has to start with a spy on Johnson. Kansas State has already run effectively against the Buffaloes since CU entered the Big 12, averaging 195.5 rushing yards in the two meetings, but this version of the Wildcats leans more on Johnson than on the kind of backs that hurt Colorado before. If he’s allowed to roam, it could get ugly fast.
Arizona State is the most manageable matchup in this run, though that doesn’t make it easy. The Sun Devils have leaned on Cutter Boley and a passing game that has found ways to slice up opponents, and Colorado will have to keep their receivers from getting behind the defense.
That puts a lot on Naeten Mitchell and Randon Fontenette. If the safeties are sharp and mistake-free, the Buffaloes have a real chance to slow down the Sun Devils enough to steal the game.
Houston follows, and the Cougars have put together a solid season. They’ve got a strong passing attack, Makhi Hughes in the backfield, and the Big 12’s best run defense. Even so, opponents have stayed in games with them in three of four outings.
The opening Colorado needs is in the air. Houston’s pass defense has been one of the league’s weakest, allowing 262.3 yards per game, second-most in the Big 12 behind West Virginia. That makes the Buffaloes’ receiver group a major factor, and probably the clearest way to create an upset.
The stretch ends against Cincinnati, one of the hottest teams in the Big 12 right now. There’s still plenty to learn about just how good the Bearcats are, but they enter this matchup as a team Colorado has to respect.
To have a chance, the Buffaloes need to shut down Cincinnati’s run game, and that starts up front. Colorado will need to attack an experienced offensive line with different stunts and pressure looks to wear it down. If the Bearcats get their ground game going, the final game of this difficult run could turn into a long night for the Buffaloes.
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