Texas Tech vs. Colorado: Stunning QB switch for 2-2 Buffs
Texas Tech vs. Colorado kicks off Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, with the Buffaloes expected to change quarterbacks. No. 12 Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) visits Colorado (2-2, 0-1), which is expected to start Isaac Wilson over Julian Lewis after back-to-back losses, ESPN reported.
Texas Tech has won its first four games despite a rash of turnovers. Colorado has scored just 34 points in three games against FBS opponents and ranks 114th nationally in scoring offense at 21.5 points per game, according to ESPN. The Red Raiders are 12.5-point favorites, per ESPN’s game page.
Texas Tech vs. Colorado game information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
- TV: FOX
- Line: Texas Tech by 12.5, per ESPN
Texas Tech Red Raiders outlook
Texas Tech is No. 12 in the latest AP Top 25 after a 49-14 win over Sam Houston. Linebacker Austin Romaine, a senior transfer from Kansas State, returned interceptions for touchdowns on back-to-back Sam Houston possessions. He had one interception in his first three college seasons, according to Yahoo Sports.
Quarterback Will Hammond has thrown for 968 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions this season, according to ESPN. Three of those picks came on consecutive second-quarter possessions against Sam Houston.
Coach Joey McGuire called the turnovers the team’s biggest issue heading into its first Big 12 road trip. “We’ve got way too many self-inflicted wounds in the first half,” McGuire said, according to CBS Sports.
Running back J’Koby Williams leads the Red Raiders with 285 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Kenny Johnson has 16 receptions for 290 yards and a touchdown.
Colorado Buffaloes outlook
Colorado has lost two straight, 41-7 at Northwestern and 23-13 at Baylor in its Big 12 opener. Coach Deion Sanders pulled Lewis at halftime against Baylor with the Buffaloes trailing 10-3.
Wilson went 12-for-25 for 156 yards and a touchdown in relief and led two third-quarter scoring drives. He has been taking reps with Colorado’s first-team offense this week, according to ESPN.
Sanders had not publicly named a starter as of Tuesday and said the decision would depend on how practice went this week. “I’ve talked to Isaac. The kid is excited about the possibilities,” Sanders said, according to ESPN.
Lewis, the No. 12 overall recruit in the 2025 class, has thrown for 733 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Colorado’s lone big offensive day came in a 52-21 win over FCS Weber State.
Key matchup in Texas Tech vs. Colorado
Texas Tech’s ball security against Colorado’s opportunism could decide Texas Tech vs. Colorado. The Red Raiders have survived their mistakes so far, including a 28-26 win over Houston. Colorado’s best path to an upset runs through forcing turnovers and turning them into points, something its offense has struggled to do against FBS teams.
Players to watch
Austin Romaine, LB, Texas Tech
Romaine’s back-to-back pick-sixes were the signature individual performance of Texas Tech’s season. He gives the Red Raiders a chance to offset Hammond’s turnovers with points of their own off Colorado mistakes.
Isaac Wilson, QB, Colorado
Wilson, the younger brother of New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson, started seven games at Utah in 2024. He threw for 1,510 yards with 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a true freshman, according to ESPN.
What to watch
Texas Tech won its only road game this season, 35-24 at Oregon State, and is trying to stay perfect away from Lubbock. For Colorado, Texas Tech vs. Colorado is a chance to spark an offense that has struggled against FBS opponents.
For background on the Buffaloes’ quarterback, read Lewis’ Big 12 media day comments and our look at Sanders’ coaching staff changes. More previews are on our college football page.
Reporting from ESPN, CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports contributed to this story.