Kansas State heads to Boulder on Saturday carrying more than a road matchup against Colorado. The Wildcats also walk in with major uncertainty under center, and that’s the kind of problem that can swallow a game whole before kickoff.
Kansas State will be without Avery Johnson for the second straight week, and it likely won’t have Jacob Knuth either after he started in Johnson’s place last week. That leaves the Wildcats trying to piece together an offense with Blake Barnett or Dillon Duff likely next in line. It’s a difficult spot for Collin Klein’s group, especially with the quarterback situation changing by the week.
Colorado, though, comes with plenty of its own baggage. The Buffaloes are 2-5 overall and 0-4 in Big 12 play, but the record may not tell the full story.
They were competitive in a 27-24 loss to No. 5 Utah, then followed that up with a 57-24 loss at Oklahoma State.
Even so, there are signs this team can make life uncomfortable for Kansas State.
One edge for the Wildcats is discipline. K-State has committed just 27 penalties this season, the second-fewest among FBS programs, while Colorado has 66 and ranks 129th out of 138 teams in that category. The Buffaloes also lead the country in turnovers, which is a glaring weakness against any opponent, even one that has struggled to force mistakes.
There’s also the matter of the sideline noise surrounding Colorado. Deion Sanders has been in the national spotlight after something his personal videographer said on a podcast prompted him to address it in his Monday presser. Some view him as being on the hot seat, though his buyout remains large.
Colorado’s own quarterback situation hasn’t been settled, either. The Buffs have already made a change this season, moving from former five-star Julian Lewis to Utah transfer Isaac Wilson. Wilson has completed 60.2% of his passes for 979 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions in four weeks, and he has thrown multiple interceptions in each of the last three games.
Still, Colorado showed against Utah that it can hang around. The Buffs scored all of their points in the second half, including 17 in the third quarter, and even took the lead after a field goal with 4:24 left in the third. They held Utah to 131 rushing yards and forced two interceptions in that narrow loss.
The Buffaloes’ front seven has been a solid part of the team. They allow 138.6 rushing yards per game, rank fifth in the Big 12 in sacks and seventh in the country in tackles for loss.
As for the betting market, BetMGM listed Colorado as a 1-point favorite Wednesday, Oct. 28, with the total at 47 1/2. The money line had Kansas State at -102 and Colorado at -118.
The prediction here leans to the home team: Colorado 24, Kansas State 17.
With Johnson unavailable, Kansas State is again forced into a third starting quarterback in as many weeks, and that kind of instability is tough to survive. Colorado hasn’t exactly been rolling, but after five straight losses and a schedule that has included Northwestern, Texas Tech, Utah and Oklahoma State, the Buffs look like a team that can finally catch a break at home against a vulnerable K-State squad.
In Other News...
Colorados Halloween Home Game Just Sent A Tough Message In Boulder
Colorados Halloween date with Kansas State in Boulder is shaping up as more than just another conference game on the calendar. Ticket resale prices have slid sharply for the Oct. 31 matchup, with some seats available starting at $25, even as the university leans into the holiday atmosphere by staging a pregame event with trick-or-treating and a costume parade.
The setup gives the night a different kind of feel, with families and students getting a festive pregame window before the football takes center stage. The universitys rules on masks and weapons are part of that planning, and the game itself will be widely available on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, ensuring Kansas States trip to Boulder lands on a big stage even if the market around it has softened. [Read more 🡒]
Colorados QB Situation Just Took A Much More Serious Turn
Colorados quarterback room got a jolt this week when Julian Lewis experienced a medical emergency at the universitys athletic facility and was taken to the hospital. Lewis father later confirmed that the freshman is recovering, while also thanking the medical staff and the people who reached out with support. Coach Deion Sanders addressed Lewis status as the Buffaloes prepared for a pivotal stretch, and the latest update quickly shifted attention from depth-chart questions to something far more urgent.
From Kansas States perspective, the timing matters because Colorado had already entered the week with Lewis listed as doubtful for the matchup. The Wildcats will be watching the situation closely as the Buffaloes sort through their options, but the bigger concern remains Lewis health and recovery before anything else. [Read more 🡒]
Colorados Injury Problems Are Raising Big Questions Before Kansas State
Colorado heads into its meeting with Kansas State already dealing with a stretch of injury trouble that has started to shape the week-long conversation around the matchup. The Buffaloes have been forced to adjust without Gibson and Welch, and those absences have left their running game and special teams in a tougher spot than usual as they prepare for the Wildcats.
Kansas State has its own availability concerns, with Avery Johnson and likely backup Jacob Knuth both expected to be out, which only adds to the uncertainty on both sidelines. Colorado does have a few encouraging signs, including Perry trending toward a return, while Julian Lewis is still recovering from a medical emergency, leaving the Buffaloes to sort through a roster picture that feels far from settled. [Read more 🡒]