COLORADO BUFFALOES (2-1, 0-0 Big 12)
vs. BAYLOR BEARS (2-1, 0-0)
BOULDER — It’s been a while since the Colorado Buffaloes have won two games in a row — just over a year, in fact.
But Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ Buffs can create a two-game win streak Saturday with a victory over the Baylor Bears, who pay a visit to Folsom Field for a 6 p.m. nationally televised Homecoming matchup (Fox).
The game marks CU’s Big 12 opener as the Buffaloes make their return to the conference they called home before jumping to the Pac-12 in 2011.
The Buffs are aiming to build on the momentum and improvement they showed in last weekend’s 28-9 win at Colorado State. The Bears are aiming for a similar bump in the wake of a 31-3 win over Air Force a week ago.
Colorado’s passing game could be the difference in this one. Baylor has seen mostly ground-oriented offenses this year and this game should give CU’s receivers a chance to put up some numbers.
The nuts and bolts:
KICKOFF: 6 p.m., Folsom Field (50,183).
TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by Fox with Connor Onion and Mark Helfrich. The radio broadcast will be carried in the Denver area on KHOW (630 am) with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth. Radio coverage begins at 4 p.m.
ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com. Live statistics will also be available at CUBuffs.com.
THE COACHES: College football and NFL Hall of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is in his second year at Colorado, where he has a 6-9 record. Prior to coming to CU, he coached three seasons at Jackson State, where he compiled a 27-6 record. Dave Aranda is in his fifth season at Baylor, where he has compiled a 25-26 record.
THE SERIES: Colorado leads the all-time series 9-7, including a 5-4 edge in Boulder.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The winner will jump out to a 1-0 record in Big 12 play.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado’s offense is guided by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has thrown for 999 yards and nine touchdowns. Thus far, Travis Hunter has been his favorite receiver (30 receptions, 342 yards, 5 touchdowns), but he has spread the wealth well. Other Buffs with double-digit catches include LaJohntay Wester (14-158, 3 TDs), Jimmy Horn Jr. (14-246, 1) and Will Sheppard (12-143).
On the ground, Micah Welch made his running back debut last week and now leads CU in rushing with nine carries for 69 yards.
Defensively, cornerback DJ McKinney leads CU with 21 tackles and four pass breakups. Linebacker LaVonta Bentley has 15 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery; edge rusher Dayon Hayes leads CU in sacks with two; and Hunter has 11 tackles, an interception and two pass breakups.
The Bears have used two quarterbacks this year, with Dequan Finn starting the first two games before suffering an injury. Sawyer Robertson got the start against AFA and delivered 248 yards passing. The Bears have been solid on the ground, with Dawson Pendergrass (30-144) and Richard Reese (35-140) leading the way. Michael Trigg is the only Bear with double-digit receptions (10-109).
Defensively, the Bears are led by linebackers Matt Jones (28 tackles) and Keaton Thomas (25 tackles, 1 interception). Three different Bears have at least one sack.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado’s wide receivers vs. Baylor secondary. The Bears have yielded just 76 yards per game in the air this season, tops in the nation. But their opponents have also attempted just 46 passes. The Buffs may hit that number by themselves, as it’s a nice opportunity for Colorado to put up some more big numbers in the passing game.
UP NEXT: The Buffs hit the road next Saturday for their longest trip of the year when they head to Orlando, Fla., for a matchup with UCF.
