Can the Buffs move one game closer to a Big 12 championship?
The Colorado Buffaloes are rolling, and with four straight wins, they have moved to an impressive 8-2 on the year and 6-1 in conference play. This team is a legitimate contender in the Big 12 and their momentum has made them one of the most exciting teams to watch in all of college football.
This Saturday, they take on a Kansas team that is scorching hot. After upsetting two ranked Big 12 contenders in Iowa State and BYU the last two weeks, Kansas will be looking to make it three and keep their dreams of bowl eligibility alive. Here’s a look at this exciting game to come and what could take place at Arrowhead Stadium this Saturday.
What to Expect from the Buffs
Even though the Buffaloes come into this game riding high, they can’t afford to overlook a very dangerous Kansas team. While Kansas has had its share of struggles, particularly on defense, this squad can still cause problems if given the chance.
The weakness of this Kansas team lies primarily in their defense, which has shown vulnerability to big plays in the running game and difficulty containing short to intermediate passes. Kansas will likely try to play more conservatively on defense, keeping everything in front of them and forcing Shedeur Sanders into making quicker reads. We’ve seen other teams use this strategy against the Buffaloes, but none of them have had much success against Shedeur and this offense recently. The question now is: what will Colorado do to exploit Kansas’ defensive lapses?
The offensive attack will need to get creative to expose Kansas’ weaknesses. While the Kansas defense does have some playmakers, they can be sloppy and undisciplined at critical moments as a collective unit. This game presents an opportunity for the Buffaloes to iron out some new wrinkles in their playbook. I expect Pat Shurmur and the coaching staff to lean heavily on creative RPO (run-pass option) plays to keep the Kansas defense guessing. While Colorado has relied on outside or boundary RPOs in recent weeks, Kansas will likely be prepared for those looks. Instead, I anticipate seeing more RPOs attacking the middle of the field, forcing the Kansas linebackers and safeties to make quick decisions and opening up opportunities for chunk plays.
If Jimmy Horn Jr. is healthy and available, he’ll be a key beneficiary of these middle-of-the-field RPO plays, as his speed and elusiveness make him a nightmare in space. If Horn is unable to play, LaJohntay Wester will likely step into that role and be the man to watch on Saturday. Regardless of who is involved, this strategy should allow Colorado to maintain offensive balance and keep the Kansas defense on its heels.
On the defensive side, Colorado faces a unique challenge in containing Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels. Daniels is an incredibly mobile quarterback who thrives on extending plays and taking deep shots down the field. To counter this, Colorado’s defensive line will need to rotate frequently to stay fresh, while linebackers will need to take on an increased role in containing Daniels’ escapability.
Daniels’ ability to keep plays alive will also place significant pressure on Colorado’s secondary, particularly the corners, who will need to maintain tight coverage for longer than usual. This game could provide an opportunity for Colorado’s defense to showcase its aggressiveness, with turnovers potentially playing a pivotal role in determining the outcome.
Key Players
Jalon Daniels:
Daniels is the engine of the Kansas offense, and when it’s clicking for him, this team can be dangerous. However, Daniels has also been prone to mistakes, including poor reads, a knack for throwing picks, and ball security issues in recent weeks. If Kansas wants to pull off an upset, Daniels will need to play smart, avoid turnovers, and continue his dazzling style of football without the mental lapses that have plagued him at times this season. This offense will live or die by his performance on Saturday.
Shedeur Sanders:
This game is a huge opportunity for Shedeur to solidify his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and a potential top pick in the NFL Draft. Shedeur will need to attack the Kansas defense at all three levels, protect the football, and use his legs when necessary. While Shedeur has proven himself as a playmaker week in and week out, this game could be his chance to showcase his ability to play a complete and efficient game. Scouts and fans alike will be watching closely to see how he handles the challenge.
DJ McKinney:
Jalon Daniels’ willingness to take deep shots will put Colorado’s corners, including DJ McKinney, to the test. McKinney will need to stay glued to his assignments for extended periods, as Daniels’ escapability will give receivers extra time to work downfield. McKinney should expect to be targeted over the top multiple times in this game, and his ability to hold up in coverage will be crucial to Colorado’s defensive success.
Predictions
This game has all the makings of a shootout, but Colorado’s superior offensive firepower should give them the edge. Kansas should score points, but I believe the Buffaloes’ ability to capitalize on big plays, coupled with their constantly improving defense, will be the deciding factors.
Colorado 42
Kansas 30
Outlook
If the Buffaloes are able to fend off Kansas, their path to the Big 12 championship game becomes much clearer. Next week, they’ll face a struggling Oklahoma State team at home, a matchup that should heavily favor Colorado. A win against Kansas would allow the Buffs to continue to control their own destiny, as they move one step closer to a conference championship appearance and potentially even the college football playoff.
However, a loss to Kansas could complicate things significantly. In that scenario, the Buffaloes would have to rely on other teams in the conference to slip up, which is never a position you want to be in. Every game from here on out is essentially a must-win for Colorado if they hope to keep their championship aspirations alive.
Make sure to tune in this Saturday at 1:30 pm MT for what promises to be one of the most important games of the season for the Buffaloes. With so much on the line, this is a game no Colorado fan will want to miss.
Sko Buffs!