Colorado has a real shot this Saturday to slam the brakes on their brutal five-game losing streak, and it is all thanks to a beat-up Kansas State quarterback room. Avery Johnson is officially out, and Jacob Knuth is sitting on the doubtful list with an ankle injury he aggravated. This isn’t just an opportunity; it is arguably the best chance the 2-5 Buffaloes, who are still winless in Big 12 play at 0-4, will get to flip the script against a 4-3 Kansas State squad.
Wildcat Woes: Quarterbacks Down, Momentum Gone
Kansas State is hurting, and it is not just at quarterback. With Johnson sidelined and Knuth highly questionable, Colorado is looking at facing a less experienced signal-caller, with Blake Barnett among the remaining options. That is a massive opportunity to put pressure on a guy who might not be ready for the Folsom Field atmosphere. The Wildcats are also reeling from a 28-17 loss at Arizona State last week, a game where the Sun Devils straight up controlled the line of scrimmage. K-State has dropped three of their last four games, which means they are stumbling into this matchup with their own conference-play problems that they have not been able to fix. This isn’t the dominant K-State we sometimes see; this is a team that looks vulnerable.
Buffs’ Playmakers Ready To Feast On Weakness
This Saturday, Colorado needs to attack where Kansas State is weakest. The Wildcats’ run defense is letting up a staggering 158.1 rushing yards per game, which puts them at 93rd nationally. That is an opening, plain and simple. JaQuail Smith and the other available backs have to get going after what has been little run support during this losing streak. If they can establish a ground game and create some manageable third downs, it will take immense pressure off Isaac Wilson and avoid those obvious passing situations. But when Wilson does throw, he has got targets. Joseph Williams has been a beast this season, hauling in 46 catches for 643 yards and five touchdowns, including a huge nine-catch, 135-yard performance at Oklahoma State. DeAndre Moore Jr. added another 106 receiving yards in that same game. Yeah, K-State has the fifth-ranked pass defense, but with Williams and Moore playing like that, Colorado has two legitimate threats who can still create big gains.
It Is All About Finishing What They Start
We have seen flashes from Colorado this season, moments where they show what they are capable of. Remember that Oklahoma State game? They led the Cowboys 24-23 at halftime. That is a starting point, right? The problem was letting Oklahoma State drop 34 unanswered points in the second half. This Saturday, it is not just about building that lead again; it is about sustaining drives after the break and protecting possessions like they are gold. This team has shown it can compete for a half, but to turn this competitive start into a victory, they have to put a complete game together. This Saturday at Folsom Field, every snap is going to matter. Can Colorado finally put it all together and send Kansas State home with another loss? It is going to be one heck of a battle to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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