Stakes are high for both Colorado and Baylor on Saturday night in Boulder. Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes want to get off to a fast start in Big 12 play, as they return to their former conference after the breakup of the Pac-12. Baylor’s Dave Aranda has faced hot seat concerns after back-to-back losing seasons, including last year’s 3-9 mark.
Both teams are 2-1 entering Saturday’s game. Colorado were outclasses at Nebraska in Week 2, but rebounded for a decisive 28-9 win at Colorado State last week. Baylor has taken a similar path so far, losing to Big 12 favorite Utah in Week 2, 23-12, before blowing out Air Force to get back in the win column in Week 3.
Colorado owns a 9-7 all-time record against Baylor. The two teams were conference foes from 1996-2010, before Colorado left for the Pac-12. Baylor won the last game between the two in 2010, the fall before Colorado’s departure.
Cris Tiller&solThe Coloradoan&solUSA Today Network via Imagn Images
Colorado vs. Baylor
Location: Folsom Field in Boulder, Co. Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. ET TV: Fox Spread: Colorado -2 Over/Under: 53.5 Announcers: Mike Couzens,Max Starks and Mike Peasley
Why Colorado Will Win
This team is far from perfect, but it has some of the best top-end talent in college football. Travis Hunter looks better than ever, and should be a true factor in the Heisman race if Colorado can put some wins on the board. Shedeur Sanders has taken a step forward from his impressive 2023 season. While it is clear that the Buffaloes want to throw the ball as much as possible, running back Micah Welch offered a bit of a running threat for the Buffaloes in his first action of the year, going for 65 yards on nine carries. Colorado ran for over 100 yards as a team for the first time since its overtime loss to Stanford on Oct. 13 last season. Sanders is the face of the offense, but the Buffaloes need to provide some threat on the ground to keep opposing defenses honest, especially against a Bears team that is vulnerable to the run but has totally shut down the pass…