Colorado will head into its Week 5 homecoming matchup against No. 11 Texas Tech short-handed, with at least three key names already ruled out by injury and a few more players still waiting to see whether they can get back on the field.
Among the biggest losses is wide receiver Scudero, who has already missed plenty this season after dealing with an injury. He was a standout in the spring and the nation’s leading receiver in 2025, but he has managed to play only two games so far. He’ll be out through the bye week, along with Ashley and Hunter.
Ashley is the newest addition to the injury list. He had been rotating in at nickel to open the season, giving Colorado another option in the secondary before the setback.
Hunter has been sidelined since getting hurt against Georgia Tech, and his absence now stretches through the bye as well.
That’s a tough set of losses for Colorado’s offense and defense alike. Without Atkins and Williams in the passing game, the Buffs lose some of the versatility that Brennan Marion’s offense needs. Through four weeks in Boulder, the Go-Go attack has looked far less dynamic than it did before.
On the other side of the ball, Colorado’s secondary could use all the help it can get. The unit has been uneven this season, and getting even one of the doubtful defensive backs back would at least give the Buffs more flexibility to adjust based on performance.
The most important defensive question may be Lester, who is out after leading Colorado in sacks through four weeks. He’s tied for the team lead in that category and has been the anchor of the front so far. If there’s one player Colorado would want available for this game, it’s probably him.
Moore is another name Buffs fans will be watching closely. The hit he absorbed against Baylor was alarming, and he nearly had to be carted off. If he can return without missing a full game, it would be a welcome boost and a lift for the offense.
Colorado can’t really afford more hits to its depth, especially with the current state of the roster. Henderson was out in Week 4, and the run game became one-dimensional without him.
Up front, Talib and Taufatofua have missed most of the season, and getting either one back would help Colorado’s hopes of holding up against the run. If they can finally shake off the injuries and contribute, they could become major pieces in that effort.
In Other News...
Colorado Homecoming Just Took An Unexpected Turn Before Texas Tech
Ticket prices for Colorados home date with No. 12 Texas Tech have taken a noticeable dip in the days before kickoff, adding a strange little wrinkle to a game that was already carrying plenty of significance. The matchup is set for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MT at Folsom Field, with Homecoming and the universitys 150th anniversary celebration giving the afternoon an even bigger stage than a typical Big 12 showcase.
Colorado wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. has already framed Texas Tech as the kind of opponent that demands full attention, and the Buffs know the setting at home is supposed to matter. Even with the off-field buzz shifting around the ticket market, the real test remains the same for Colorado: protecting its own field against a ranked team that will arrive with plenty on the line. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Could Soon Feel This New Realignment Fight Firsthand
College sports latest effort to rein in the chaos of conference realignment is moving closer to becoming law, and Texas Tech could wind up feeling the effects of it sooner than most. The Protect College Sports Act has already passed the Senate and now heads to the House, where it would try to put firmer rules around realignment, NIL standards, revenue sharing and transfer policy in a landscape that has been defined by constant movement.
One of the bills most aggressive provisions would require schools changing Power Conference homes to compete independently for three academic years, a safeguard aimed at slowing the kind of instability that has rattled the sport. Universities are expected to push back on that idea, and even if the measure advances, questions remain about how much it would really prevent future shake-ups, especially in a league like the ACC where the pressure points are already obvious. [Read more 🡒]
Dave Aranda Just Framed Baylors Biggest Competitive Problem
College footballs spending divide was back in focus after Baylor coach Dave Aranda laid out how much roster budget now matters when teams are trying to keep pace. Aranda pointed to the gap between Baylor and the heavier spenders around the sport, saying the Bears do not operate with the same financial muscle as some of their rivals or the national championship contenders. For a Big 12 team trying to stay relevant in a tougher era, it is a reminder that the margin for error is shrinking.
Arandas comments also gave a clearer look at the challenge facing Baylor as it tries to build and sustain a winner. He stressed that toughness still has to be part of the formula, because money alone does not decide everything, but he also acknowledged that spending is central to assembling a competitive roster. For the Bears, the question is no longer whether resources matter, but how far grit and coaching can carry them against programs with more to spend. [Read more 🡒]