Four things to know about TCU football’s next opponent, the Colorado Buffaloes
TCU football will be eager to get the taste of defeat out of its mouth after squandering a 17-point lead in a 27-24 loss at Arizona State on Friday.
As if that wasn’t enough motivation, the Horned Frogs (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) will face Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes (2-3, 0-2) for the first time since Sanders led the Buffs to a shocking 45-42 upset in Fort Worth to open the 2023 season.
That loss was one of the many reasons the Horned Frogs failed to make a bowl game a season after reaching the national title game. The Colorado heroes from that game, like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, are in the NFL, but that shouldn’t change how much TCU wants to win this game.
The Buffaloes are reeling after an 0-2 start in Big 12 play, and the Horned Frogs should be determined not to let Colorado gain momentum in Fort Worth again.
Here are four things to know about Colorado before Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. game.
QB Kaidon Salter seeking confidence
With his son off to the NFL, Sanders brought in Liberty transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter to take over the offense. In 2023 Salter was one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country, accounting for nearly 4,000 total yards and 44 touchdowns, but his production dropped in 2024 as he missed multiple games.
So far his tenure at Colorado has been underwhelming, as he’s only thrown for 684 yards despite starting four games. Salter was briefly benched for third-string Ryan Staub against Houston before being inserted back into the starting lineup against BYU. The game against the Cougars was a winnable one, as Colorado took a 14-0 lead, but Salter’s inefficiency as a passer doomed the Buffaloes down the stretch in a 24-21 loss.
Salter is still dangerous when he gets outside of the pocket with 202 rushing yards and four touchdowns, but so far there’s a case to be made that he’s holding the Colorado offense back.
Could TCU face multiple quarterbacks Saturday?
Replacing Travis Hunter on defense
Finding a way to replace Hunter was always going to be a daunting task, as the Heisman Trophy winner served as Colorado’s best wide receiver and cornerback. Defensively, the Buffaloes haven’t taken a huge step back without Hunter, leaning on DJ McKinney to assume the role of the lead cornerback.
McKinney has an interception on the season and four passes defended. The secondary is only allowing about seven more yards per game compared to last season, and opposing quarterbacks are only completing 56% of their throws. However, Colorado hasn’t faced an elite passing attack yet, with matchups against Georgia Tech, Houston and BYU.
The defensive line has taken a step back, as Colorado ranks 15th out of the 16 Big 12 teams in rushing defense and sacks. This is a prime opportunity for a bounce-back game for the TCU offense.
Replacing Travis Hunter on offense
Finding a replacement for Hunter on offense has been more challenging than on defense. Part of that has been the quarterback play, but part of it is the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver.
Colorado hit the transfer portal hard to replace Hunter with the additions of Joseph Williams (Tulsa), Sincere Brown (Campbell) and Hykeem Williams (Florida State). The Buffaloes also made waves by beating out TCU for former North Crowley star Quentin Gibson.
Williams and Brown lead the team with 220 and 211 yards, respectively, and each has scored two touchdowns. The 6-foot-5 Brown could present the biggest matchup problem for the TCU secondary, while Williams also has good size at 6-2.
The Buffaloes also rely on Dre’Lon Miller as a gadget player, giving him the opportunity to receive direct snaps in the backfield. Miller has 89 receiving yards, 55 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the season.
Colorado’s receiving corps isn’t as dynamic as in past years, but with better quarterback play, the unit could still be dangerous.
The Buffs are still one-dimensional
Sanders has been in Boulder for two-plus seasons and hasn’t managed to have an above-average running game yet. Despite Salter’s dual-threat ability, Colorado ranks 14th in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game with 147.4 despite having the sixth-most carries in the league.
The Buffaloes’ running backs are getting opportunities, but the offensive line has been unable to consistently generate running lanes. TCU, which ranks last in the conference in rushing yards per game, is experiencing the same thing.
Micah Welch has emerged as the lead back for Colorado with a team-high 210 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown this season. Simeon Price has also been productive in spurts with 143 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and two touchdowns.
The Horned Frogs can’t afford to allow Colorado to have a breakout game on the ground.
