Know Wyoming’s Foe: Colorado Buffaloes

LARAMIE -- Deion Sanders knows who his starting quarterback will be Saturday when Wyoming pays a visit to Folsom Field.

But he's not telling.

"Yeah, most definitely I have," Colorado's third-year head coach told the local media Tuesday during his weekly press conference, failing to elaborate.

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When the subject turned to CU's other fall sports teams, haircuts, prenuptial agreements and rapper and close friend Ice Cube, it was a much different story.

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The Buffaloes have three options under center.

Ryan Staub received his second-career start last week, completing just 19-of-35 passes for 204 yards a touchdown and two interceptions in a 36-20 setback at Houston. The sophomore, who backed up Coach Prime's son, Shedeur Sanders, the last two seasons, was also the team's second-leading rusher with 36 yards on 11 attempts. Three sacks did little to help that final stat line.

Does Colorado turn back to Kaidon Salter, the opening-night starter? Many outlets, including Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, are saying that will indeed be the case.

The 2023 Conference USA Most Valuable Player was 17-of-28 in the pocket during the Buffs' 27-20 home loss to Georgia Tech. He threw for 159 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Texas product, who originally signed with Tennessee before spending the next four years at Liberty, also scored with his legs, capping a 43-yard day on the ground.

He would also start the following week against Delaware State, sharing reps with Staub.

Salter capped his sophomore season in Lynchburg with 32 touchdown tosses. He crossed the white stripe 12 more times while leading the Flames to a Fiesta Bowl appearance.

What about 5-star recruit Julian Lewis?

The freshman from Carrollton, Ga. has trotted onto the field for three drives, all coming in a 31-7 victory over the Blue Hens, completing 2-of-4 pass attempts for eight yards. He was also sacked once for a loss of eight more.

What is Sanders looking for out of his signal caller, whomever that may be?

"Leadership and consistency," he said bluntly. "That’s it. That ain’t much to ask for. Leadership and consistency. I look for that for everyone, every man, every woman that’s involved in their life."

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How difficult is it for Jay Sawvel to prepare for an offense when he has no idea who will be under center?

"I don't know that they alter their offense dramatically between each one," Wyoming's second-year head coach said, adding Staub has a "cool presence" and gets the ball out while Salter brings the added element of athleticism. "I mean, obviously it could be a little bit of a different focus, but we gotta get ready for multiple different things."

Colorado is currently ranked 102nd out of 136 FBS programs in total offense, averaging 334.3 yards per game. More than 200 of those come through the air where his trio of QB's have combined for 631 yards and a completion rate hovering around 61%.

The running game for the Buffs has been all but nonexistent, rolling up just 124 yards an outing, led by Simeon Price, who has amassed 135 yards and a score on 19 carries.

"We're getting there, and we're going to get there within the next, maybe Saturday, maybe a couple games after that, but we're going to get there with the consistency that we desire," Sanders said. "I can see it. We're going to get there."

Meet the Buffs:

* Head coach: Deion Sanders (3rd year) 14-14 overall record, 8-11 in conference (Pac-12, Big XII) play

* Offensive coordinator: Pat Shurmur (3rd season); Defensive coordinator: Rob Livingston (2nd year)

* Record in 2024: 9-4 overall, 7-2 in Big XII Conference

* Offense in 2025: Average 23.7 ppg, 334.3 ypg (124 rush, 210.3 pass)

* Defense in 2025: Allow 23.3 ppg, 430 ypg (204.3 rush, 225.7 pass)

* Key Returners/ Newcomers - Offense in 2025: Ryan Staub (QB - 26-45, 362 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT; 13 rush, 34 yds), Kaidon Salter (QB - 30-44, 261, TD; 21 rush, 67 yds, 2 TD); Julian Lewis (QB - 2-4, 8 yds; 2 rush, -7 yds), Simeon Price (RB - 19 rush, 135 yds, TD; 4 catch, 10 yds), Micah Welch (RB - 23 rush, 76 yds, TD), Sincere Brown (WR - 6 catch, 135 yds, TD), Joseph Williams (WR - 8 catch, 117 yds, TD), Dekalon Taylor (WR/ RB - 10 catch, 106 yds, 2 TD); Omarion Miller (WR- 4 catch, 93 yds), Zach Atkins (TE- 4 catch, 26 yds)

* Key Returners - Defense in 2025: Tawfiq Byard (S - 19 tackles, 0.5 sack, PBU), Reginald Hughes (LB - 18 tackles), Carter Stoutmire (S - 15 tackles, 3 PBU), Martavius French (LB - 14 tackles, sack, 2 FR), Ben Finneseth (S - 14 tackles, FF), Jeremiah Brown (LB - 13 tackles, FR), Preston Hodge (NB - 13 tackles, 2 PBU), Shaun Myers (LB - 11 tackles), Keaten Wade (DE - 11 tackles, sack), Arden Walker (DE - 11 tackles), DJ McKinney (CB - 9 tackles, PBU, INT), RJ Johnson (CB - 8 tackles, PBU, INT)

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players