Who is Colorado playing today? Evaluating the Buffs’ biggest test of the season

The Colorado Buffaloes will play a familiar opponent again this week at Folsom Field: the Kansas State Wildcats.

Entering Week 7, the Buffs find themselves in a four-way tie for second place in the conference and one game behind Texas Tech, also undefeated in Big 12 play but with one more conference win.

K-State is Colorado’s biggest challenge of this young 2024 season. Pass this test and the Buffs will get there Bring attention to the Big 12.

QB Shedeur Sanders and WR/DB Travis Hunter picked up more accolades during the bye week. Sanders was appointed Johnny Unita’s Top 25 Monday morning watchlist.

Additionally, both Sanders and Hunter were evaluated Professional football focus‘ highest grades based on their position in the Big 12 through Week 6.

Sanders earned an overall offensive rating of 91.5, while Hunter earned the highest defensive coverage score at 87.8.

The Kansas State Wildcats are 18th in the Associated Press Top 25 College Football Division 1 rankings with a 4-1 record. Like the Buffs, the Wildcats also have a bye behind them, most recently played against Oklahoma Statewon 42-20.

Their conference record is 1-1, with their Victory comes against Arizona (31-7) on September 13th before suffering their only loss (and loss of the season so far) the following week 38-9 score against BYU.

In the Big-12, the Kansas State Wildcats rank eighth in offense (31.4 PPG), sixth in total offense (432.4 YPG), fourth in defense (19.6 PPG), and seventh overall in defense (336 YPG).

Their offense is led by RB DJ Gittens, who leads the team with 604 rushing yards (120.8 YPG) and leads the team with two touchdowns. Part of the rushing attack is former Buffs RB Dylan Edwards, who is third on the team with 201 yards rushing and 29 carries.

Defensively, the team’s key player is second-year LB Austin Romaine. Romaine leads the team in tackles (34) and is second in sacks (2.0).