As the Colorado Buffaloes prepare to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers this Saturday, the stakes are high for both teams in their Big 12 matchup. The game is set to kick off at 10 a.m. at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, with television coverage on TNT and truTV, along with radio broadcast on 850 KOA.
Both teams enter the game with a 3-6 record, each having won only one of their conference games. The betting line favors West Virginia by 5.5 points, with an over/under set at 55.5 points. Historically, the series stands tied at 1-1, with West Virginia winning 35-14 during their last encounter in Morgantown in 2009.
Key Storylines Ahead of the Game
The most significant news for Colorado is that head coach Deion Sanders has announced that freshman quarterback Julian Lewis will make his first career start. Lewis, a highly regarded four-star recruit, saw limited action earlier in the season but has been called upon after a disappointing performance from starter Kaidon Salter and backup Ryan Staub in last week”s game against Arizona. This is a critical moment for Lewis to prove his capabilities and potentially secure his future with the program.
Colorado”s hopes for a bowl game hinge on winning their final three games against West Virginia, Arizona State, and Kansas State. After an encouraging 2022 season, the Buffs” performance this year has been underwhelming, making this matchup a pivotal moment for the team.
Offensive Struggles for Both Teams
Both the Mountaineers and the Buffaloes are struggling offensively, ranking near the bottom of the Big 12 in scoring. West Virginia averages 23.2 points per game, while Colorado scores just 22 points per game. Only Oklahoma State has a worse scoring average. The team that can ignite its offense early on Saturday stands a better chance of emerging victorious.
A key area to watch will be West Virginia”s run game, which averages 183.9 yards per game, ranking seventh in the conference, against Colorado”s struggling run defense, which allows 215.8 yards per game, the worst in the Big 12.
Staff Predictions
In the lead-up to the game, several staff predictions have surfaced. Sportswriter Kyle Newman predicts a West Virginia victory with a score of 28-17, citing Colorado”s recent struggles as a major factor. He emphasizes that the focus for the Buffs should shift towards developing Lewis and finding ways to compete, rather than purely aiming for wins.
Columnist Sean Keeler sees a close game, forecasting a 24-20 win for West Virginia. He notes the chaotic situation surrounding Colorado, including midseason changes in play-calling and defensive issues that could hinder their performance in a difficult environment.
Sports editor Matt Schubert also leans towards West Virginia with a prediction of 27-21, highlighting the challenges Colorado faces on both sides of the ball. The Mountaineers have recently shown offensive strength, scoring 45 points against a ranked opponent, presenting a tough challenge for the Buffs to overcome.
As the Buffs gear up for this crucial matchup, all eyes will be on how they respond to the pressure and whether they can turn their season around.
