Two former Big 12 rivals will meet for the first time in more than a decade when No. 18 Kansas State heads to Colorado on Saturday in a game with conference championship implications. With the Buffaloes back in the Big 12, the Wildcats are making their first trip to Boulder since 2010 as they seek to derail the Buffs’ hot start to the 2024 season under second-year coach Deion Sanders.
Both teams are coming off a bye after they each notched impressive conference victories in Week 5. The Buffs improved to 4-1 (2-0 Big 12) with a 48-21 win at UCF, while K-State reached 4-1 (1-1) with a 42-20 win over an Oklahoma State team that was expected to compete for the Big 12 title.
The matchup is a contrast in styles. The Wildcats prefer to run the football with an explosive back in DJ Giddens and mobile quarterback Avery Johnson. Colorado counters with one of the nation’s most pass-oriented offenses, led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders and a star cast of receivers.
Colorado is built on transfers, a handful of high-end skill players and the flash of Sanders, who is one of the most visible coaches in the sport. Kansas State is built on internal development and the understated leadership of sixth-year coach Chris Klieman. Given their stark differences and what’s at stake, it should be an intriguing finish to the Week 7 slate.
Colorado vs. Kansas State: Need to know
Travis Hunter’s Heisman case: Colorado has not one but two players ranked among CBS Sports’ Top 100 2025 NFL Draft prospects in Sanders (No. 9) and athlete Travis Hunter (No. 1). Given that he’s an elite receiver and an elite cornerback, there is no consensus over what Hunter will be at the next level. For now, he’s electric on both sides of the football and has established himself as a Heisman Trophy contender. Hunter is a lockdown with five interceptions in 14 career games with the Buffaloes and a game-changing receiver who has amassed 1,282 yards and 11 touchdowns in his time with the program. He is a generational talent who has made game-clinching plays on both sides of the Buffaloes. This game presents yet another opportunity for him to build his case to become the most unconventional Heisman winner of the 21st century.
Colorado vs. the run: Slowing down Kansas State’s run game will be key for Colorado as it seeks to keep the Wildcats from dominating time of possession. The Wildcats torched Oklahoma State with 187 yards rushing from Giddens and 60 yards rushing from Johnson. Jadon Jackson and Dylan Edwards also contributed to the Wildcats’ 300-yard barrage on the ground in a convincing win over the Cowboys. Though he’s not K-State’s featured back, Edwards’ role will make for a good storyline. He was Colorado’s leading rusher last season and caught 36 passes for the Buffs before transferring to join the Wildcats. Colorado is one of only six schools not to allow a 100-yard rusher this season, so this will be a key battle.
Kansas State vs. the pass: Colorado ranks No. 9 nationally in passing offense at 326 yards per game, and Sanders has completed 70.1% of his passes with 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. While Hunter is his favorite target with 46 receptions for 561 yards, Sanders has multiple weapon at his disposal. Jimmy Horn Jr., LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard each have at least 17 receptions and have each found the end zone at least once this season. Keeping tabs on so many playmakers will be a challenge for the Wildcats’ defense. While Kansas State did face and beat an Arizona team highlighted by a star receiver in Tetairoa McMillan and an Oklahoma State team with solid weapons such as Brennan Presley, the Buffs are unique in the depth of their receiving corps.
How to watch Colorado vs. Kansas State live
Date: Saturday, Oct. 12 | Time: 10:15 p.m. ET
Location: Folsom Field — Boulder, Colorado
TV: ESPN | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)
Colorado vs. Kansas State prediction, picks
The last time Colorado faced a team as well-rounded as Kansas State was in Week 2 when the Buffaloes took a loss at Nebraska. K-State will test a Buffs run defense that has been solid to this point, and the Wildcats also have the defensive depth required to hold serve against Colorado’s strong offensive attack. If Johnson can limit his turnovers — the Wildcats were on the wrong end of a 3-0 turnover deficit in their lone loss at BYU — then look for Kansas State to escape with a win. Pick: Kansas State -4
SportsLine’s proven computer model is calling for 10 outright upsets in Week 7 of college football. Visit SportsLine now to see them all, plus get spread picks for every game from the model that simulates each game 10,000 times.
