BOULDER — Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes have the opportunity to insert themselves squarely into the national conversation Saturday when they play host to No. 18 Kansas State.
The Buffs (4-1 overall, 2-0 Big 12) have already sent the message that they are an improved team. Their most recent outing, a 48-21 thumping of UCF two weeks ago, displayed a potent offense and an opportunistic defense and gave them their third straight win, matching the longest winning streak in the Coach Prime era.
But Saturday’s 8:15 p.m. game against the Wildcats (4-1, 1-1) at Folsom Field will be the Buffs’ toughest test yet — and a chance to clearly assert themselves as Big 12 contenders.
It might just be one of the most important games for the Buffaloes in a decade or more.
The ‘Cats were among the preseason favorites to win the conference, finishing just behind Utah in the preseason media poll. They reached as high as No. 13 in the AP national poll before tumbling 10 spots after a 38-9 loss to BYU. But, they bounced back with a 42-20 win over Oklahoma State and have been in the top 25 every week since the season began.
Now, both teams are coming off a bye week, giving both extra preparation time for a key conference matchup that could have a significant impact on the league standings at season’s end.
The Buffs enter the game with both sides of the ball playing well. Led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver Travis Hunter, CU’s offense is clicking on all cylinders — including an improved, efficient run game.
Defensively, the Buffs have shown a propensity for forcing key turnovers in critical situations while also coming up big in red zone situations.
All those areas will be tested against the Wildcats. KSU dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson leads an offense that is averaging 31.4 points per game while the defense is yielding less than 20 points per game.
A key stat to remember: the Buffs have yet to give up either a 100-yard rushing game or a 100-yard receiving effort to an opponent this season.
A victory over the Wildcats would give CU its fifth win of the year halfway through the season. The Buffs haven’t won more than five games in a season since 2016.
How do they pick up that fifth win? Our weekly Fast Five:
1. Contain K-State’s Johnson. The Wildcats quarterback is truly a dual threat. He’s thrown for 879 yards and nine touchdowns and is second on the team in rushing with 321 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also been sacked just four times.
But he is by no means immune to mistakes. In KSU’s loss to BYU, he threw two interceptions, both of which BYU turned into touchdowns. He finished the game with just 130 yards passing with no touchdowns and was sacked once.
The Buffs, who have steadily improved in their pass rush, need to put pressure on him early while also making sure he doesn’t get free around the edge and pick up yards on scrambles. The Buffs had five sacks in their win over UCF, including two by Taje McCoy. If they can put that kind of pressure on Johnson, they’ll greatly increase the chances of forcing a mistake and creating some momentum-switching moments.
2. Continue to win the red zone. Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston‘s crew has been outstanding with their backs to the wall. CU is currently seventh in the nation in red zone scoring percentage, having given up just 13 scores in 21 opponent red zone penetrations — including just nine touchdowns.
That defense proved critical in the win over UCF, when the Buffs came up with two stops when the Knights had created first-and-goal opportunities. One stop came via a Preston Hodge interception in the end zone with the second on a tackle just short of the goal line on fourth down.
Offensively, Colorado has been very efficient in the red zone. In 16 trips inside the 20, CU has scored 14 times, including 11 touchdowns.
If the Buffs can continue to produce those kinds of numbers on both sides, they’ll be in good shape.
3. Continued improvement from the offensive line. The big fellas up front yielded just two sacks against UCF while also opening holes for a run game that produced 128 yards and two touchdowns.
They’ll need a similar performance against the Wildcats. KSU has recorded 12 quarterback sacks while also limiting opponents to less than 100 yards per game on the ground.
Colorado doesn’t have to produce a dominant ground game. But the Buffs do have to be enough of a threat on the ground to make the Wildcats respect the run.
If CU can do that, it will open up the passing game and give Sanders and his wide receivers a chance to produce big plays.
4. Win the turnover battle. After not forcing a turnover in the first two games, the Buffs have been excellent in that area since. CU’s defense has produced nine takeaways in the last three games — five fumble recoveries and four interceptions — which have led to 28 points.
As we mentioned earlier, the ‘Cats have shown a tendency to give the ball away. Along with the two interceptions against BYU, K-State also coughed up a fumble that was returned 30 yards for a score.
Meanwhile, Colorado’s offense has been solid in the turnover department. CU has lost just two fumbles and thrown only three interceptions this season and those have led to just seven points from the opponents.
The momentum created by a big turnover can’t be overestimated. If the Buffs can produce a couple Saturday in what is sure to be a raucous atmosphere, they’ll put the ‘Cats on their heels.
5. Continue to play with confidence. It was just two games ago that the Buffs seemed destined for a disappointing loss — until Sanders heaved a game-tying 43-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester on the last play of regulation against Baylor.
That set the stage for an overtime win and a week later, Colorado put together maybe its best overall performance of the Coach Prime era in the win at UCF.
Confidence is a funny thing. When it’s growing, it can create all kinds of big plays and winning moments. The Buffs are playing with that kind of confidence right now. If they continue to play with that belief in themselves, they’ll walk off Folsom Field late Saturday night with another win — and a place in the national spotlight.
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Story by Neill Woelk, Contributing Editor for CUBuffs.com. Content courtesy of the University of Colorado at Boulder.