Senior quarterback Shedeur Sanders makes a touchdown during the game against Baylor University at Folsom Field on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
Momentum. That’s one of the top concerns for University of Colorado fans following a bye week and the groundbreaking blowout win against the University of Central Florida that preceded it. Now, the Buffs face off against a beastly Kansas State University squad with both teams having a bye week, an empowering win, and a 4-1 record at this point in the season.
The Colorado Buffaloes are heading into their game on Saturday, October 12th with confidence and the burning desire to continue the successes they have had since the start of the 2024 season. With a record of 4-1 overall and 2-0 within the Big 12, Head Coach Deion Sanders is entering this game on Saturday with the goal of continuing the bright start of the season.
Although CU is entering this game on a win streak, caution surrounding overconfidence and having the wrong mindset isn’t being overlooked. Coach Deion Sanders expressed caution and focus at a Tuesday press conference.
“I don’t want [the players] to believe they have arrived. Work on your game and work on your craft. Let’s keep our heads down and lock in,” Sanders said.
The main concerns for Colorado leading up to the game should be the intense run game present in the matchup against Kansas State, which is ranked 18th in the AP Poll.
However, Colorado currently being undefeated at home keeps hope alive for the Buff’s ability to show up not only prepared but at a foundational advantage at Folsom Field. Furthermore, the bye week allowed for the Buffs to recover and reintegrate starters who were out for injury.
“Shilo’s ready, he’s practicing, he’s full go [and] has a rubber cast on,” announced Coach Sanders. “We should have the entire starting defense this week,” he finished.
The ability for Colorado to play defensive force Shilo Sanders opens opportunity for an upset if the Buffs are able to stop Kansas State’s drives in a consistent manner, similar to the concerns against UCF, to stop their ability to run the ball.
Kansas State, however, is preparing extensively for their game on the road in hopes of growing their strength in the playoff contention following a strong start to the season.
In the bye week, Head Coach Chris Klieman took an opportunity to share the concerns he has and what the team has been prioritizing leading up to their faceoff in Boulder.
“He [Sheduer Sanders] does a really good job pre snap and post-snap and he can make all the throws and has a lot of guys to throw the football to,” Klieman said. “Then on defense they are going to be aggressive. We’re going to see probably a lot of man coverage and some pressure and so we have to be able to win in man coverage and run the football.”
The Wildcats have had a bye week following a similarly impressive win against OSU in week 5, leaving victorious with a score of 42-20. Their offense includes former Buffalo, Dylan Edwards (RB), who is returning to Boulder after spending his freshman year at Colorado and so far in his sophomore year at Kansas State he has contributed an impressive average of 6.9 yards per rush attempt.
The matchup will kickoff at 8:15 p.m. MT this Saturday at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado and will be streamed live on FOX.
Contact CU Independent staff writer Julie Torten Rabinowitz at julie.tortenrabinowitz@colorado.edu
