Colorado heads into Saturday’s matchup with Kansas State needing a clean reset, and the path to one starts with a much sharper performance than the one it turned in last week. The Buffaloes are coming off a 57-24 loss to Oklahoma State, carrying a 2-5 record into Folsom Field as they chase their first Big 12 win. Kansas State arrives at 4-3, but it has not exactly been a model of consistency either, which gives Colorado at least a chance to answer back.
For the Buffaloes, the margin for error is thin. Isaac Wilson has to take care of the ball, the offense has to finish drives, and the defense cannot keep giving up big chunks of yardage. Colorado does not need perfection, but it absolutely needs a more complete effort on both sides.
A lot of that offensive burden falls on Joseph Williams, who has become one of Colorado’s most reliable weapons. He just posted nine catches for 135 yards on 10 targets against Oklahoma State, and he enters this game with more than 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Williams has shown over the last couple of weeks, including games against Baylor and Oklahoma State, that he can still produce even when the rest of the offense is sputtering.
That makes him the player Kansas State has to account for from the opening series. Colorado can feature him with quick throws and shots down the field, and if Wilson is on time with the ball, Williams has the skill set to turn those touches into more. A strong outing from Williams would give the Buffaloes the kind of spark they badly need and force Kansas State to tilt its defense toward Colorado’s passing game.
The other side of the ball brings its own concerns. Colorado’s defense gave up 57 points last week, and another soft performance would make it hard to stay in the game. The Buffaloes need to keep Kansas State from ripping off explosive plays, staying disciplined enough to avoid letting drives snowball into touchdowns.
Kansas State’s quarterback situation adds a wrinkle. Jacob Knuth was resilient in his first start against Arizona State, throwing for 194 yards and a touchdown while also scoring on the ground.
He handled that outing while dealing with an ankle injury, and if he gets the start again, Colorado will need to make him uncomfortable right away and take away easy rushing yards. If Johnson remains out, Knuth could be the guy again, but either way the Buffaloes have to keep the quarterback from escaping pressure and hurting them outside the pocket.
That pressure has to come without blowing coverages behind it. Colorado needs some kind of game-changing play - an interception, a forced fumble, a third-down sack - to flip field position and help the offense. Winning the turnover battle would go a long way toward keeping the game manageable and giving the Buffaloes a real shot to hang around.
Colorado’s recent skid has raised plenty of questions, especially after the Oklahoma State loss, but the team has shown flashes on offense. The passing game has had moments of real pop; the bigger issue has been consistency. The Buffs have also had trouble with turnovers, and that cannot continue against a Kansas State team that can still create problems with its running game and receiving corps.
If Colorado is going to get back on track, it needs to do the basics well: run the ball, protect Wilson, avoid giveaways and tackle cleanly on defense. A fast start at Folsom Field would help, and if the Buffs can drag this into a tight fourth quarter, they may give themselves a chance to pull off the upset.
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 🡒]