Kansas State is facing a nightmare scenario at quarterback this Saturday, and the Colorado Buffaloes, despite their brutal 2-5 overall record and 0-4 in Big 12 play, have a genuine shot to break their five-game losing streak. This isn’t just wishful thinking, either. K-State is in serious trouble, and the Buffs are heading into Folsom Field with a real opportunity against an opponent that’s looking incredibly vulnerable.
K-State’s Roster Holes Are Opening The Door Wide
Let’s just lay it out: Kansas State’s quarterback room is in rough shape. Avery Johnson is flat-out out, and Jacob Knuth is doubtful after aggravating an ankle injury. That means Colorado will likely be pressuring a much less experienced signal-caller, with Blake Barnett among the remaining options. You know what that means: get after him. On top of that, the Wildcats are coming off another tough road game where Arizona State absolutely controlled the line of scrimmage last week. They’ve dropped three of their last four, so this isn’t some juggernaut rolling into town. They’re struggling, just like Colorado, and that makes them ripe for an upset. And get this: their run defense is straight-up leaky, allowing a whopping 158.1 rushing yards per game, which puts them at 93rd nationally. This is where JaQuail Smith and the other available backs HAVE to step up for Colorado. Establishing the run is key to setting up manageable third downs and keeping Isaac Wilson out of obvious passing situations.
Can Colorado’s Offense Finally Finish The Job?
Even with K-State’s formidable fifth-ranked pass defense, Colorado has weapons. Joseph Williams is an absolute stud, racking up 46 catches for 643 yards and five touchdowns already. He just torched Oklahoma State for nine catches and 135 yards. And don’t forget DeAndre Moore Jr., who added 106 receiving yards in that same game. These guys can make plays, even against a tough secondary. The biggest reason to believe, though, is that Colorado has actually shown flashes of putting it all together. They *led* Oklahoma State 24-23 at halftime. That’s not nothing! The problem was allowing 34 unanswered points after the break. This Saturday, if they can sustain drives and protect possessions, they have a chance to turn that competitive start into a full-on victory.
This isn’t just another game. This is Colorado’s chance to end that brutal five-game skid, grab their first Big 12 win, and show everyone they’re not just a pushover. Kickoff is noon MT at Folsom Field, and you know the Buffaloes are going to be fired up. Can they finally put a full game together? We’re about 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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