2 weeks Ago
BOULDER — It’s a fitting opponent for Colorado’s first game back in the Big 12 in over a decade. There aren’t many programs that remain from the version of the conference the Buffaloes left back in 2011, but the Bears are still here, and they’ll make a visit to Folsom Field on Saturday night for each team’s conference opener. CU currently has a 9-7 advantage all-time against the team from Waco.
University of Colorado's Keith Pontiflet (13) watches the bounce of a fumble during the first quarter of the Bluebonnet Bowl game at Houston, Dec. 31, 1986. Colorado recovered the fumble as Baylor players tried to find the handle.
(AP Photo/Richard J. Carson) Here are five storylines to watch in the game: While Deion Sanders may not trust local weather reports, they all suggest rain is in the forecast for Saturday’s game. Denver Gazette partner 9News’ Chris Bianchi is still holding firm that it is still likely to rain throughout the evening, though he did mention the heaviest and steadiest of precipitation will likely come postgame.
The temperature will also likely be in the upper 50s at kickoff and dip into the 40s by the end of the game, with 20-25 mile per hour winds gusting as well. That should make for some tricky conditions for football. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept.
14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Baylor is currently the top defense in the Big 12, leading the conference in both total defense, passing defense and scoring defense. Those statistics are a little deceiving, especially in terms of defending the pass, after last week’s game against Air Force and their historically run-heavy offense.
Even if the weather isn’t great, CU is going to want to throw the ball and that matchup of the Buffs passing attack against the Bears secondary will decide the game. CU Buffs Q&A: WR LaJohntay Wester talks big Week 3, matchup against Baylor defense and more We likely won’t know until the Baylor offense comes onto the field for the first time who the team will be starting at quarterback. While starter Dequan Finn returned to practice this week after missing the previous game with an injury, there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready to go against CU and even if he is, backup Sawyer Roberston performed well enough against Air Force that the Bears have plenty of confidence in him as well.
Confident yet soft-spoken Micah Welch making impact for CU Buffs as a true freshman For just the third time in the Coach Prime era, the Buffs cracked 100 yards on the ground last week — and they did it without starter Dallan Hayden. The Ohio State transfer returned to practice this week after suffering an injury at Nebraska and that will boost a unit that has plenty of momentum behind strong efforts from true freshman Micah Welch and Isaiah Augustave. Colorado punter Mark Vassett (15) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept.
14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) This is the one area where CU was lacking in the convincing Rocky Mountain Showdown win. LaJohntay Wester was in the wrong position on a punt return and saw the ball go over his head.
Mark Vassett shanked another punt as he's struggled to find a rhythm early in the season and kicker Alejandro Mata was wide right on his lone field goal attempt in Fort Collins. Colorado 31, Baylor 20 This game will tell us a lot about the Buffs. There are not many easy games on the schedule in Big 12 play and CU has to capitalize on its chances at home against teams that are clearly less talented.
Baylor is one of those teams. It might be sloppy due to the weather, but the Buffs will pull away late thanks to Shedeur Sanders and the offense..
