Deion Sanders to Evaluate Colorado Quarterbacks During Bye Week After Texas Tech Loss

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders plans to use an upcoming bye week to evaluate his quarterbacks after the Buffaloes dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12 following a 29-7 loss to No. 12 Texas Tech on October 3, 2026. Sanders stated after the game that his team has to play better at one specific position, identifying the spot as the primary factor disabling the offense, according to reporting by espn.com.

The Buffaloes generated 375 yards of total offense against Texas Tech compared to 315 yards for the Red Raiders, but committed eight penalties for 84 yards and converted their early production into only seven points. Reporting by denverpost.com noted that Colorado has scored just 41 points over its last 16 quarters against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents, averaging 10.3 points per game.

Quarterback Evaluation During The Bye Week

Colorado will consider all three quarterback options during the bye week before facing No. 13 Utah on October 17, 2026, according to espn.com. Isaac Wilson made his first start against Texas Tech, marking the Buffaloes’ fifth quarterback change in the past 13 months. Wilson engineered an opening nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive but threw three interceptions thereafter, finishing 26-for-44 for 290 yards.

Wilson’s night concluded with a fourth-quarter interception returned for a touchdown by Texas Tech linebacker John Curry from deep inside the end zone. I need to stop trying to be more than I am, Wilson said, as reported by espn.com. We’ve got dogs all over the field, and I just need to get it to them.

The quarterback room also includes Julian JuJu Lewis, who opened the season as the starter and recorded five touchdowns with zero interceptions against Georgia Tech and Weber State before throwing two interceptions against Northwestern and being benched at halftime against Baylor on September 26, 2026. The third option, first-year quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne, has appeared in two games this season and completed 8 of 12 passes for 42 yards, per espn.com.

Stalls And Special Teams Shortfalls Against Texas Tech

Following their opening touchdown drive at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado watched their next 12 offensive possessions stall out through two missed field goals, four interceptions, an unsuccessful fake punt, three punts, and two turnovers on downs. Reporting by denverpost.com highlighted that the Buffaloes also left at least six special teams points on the field while trailing 12-7 through three quarters despite holding a 15-15 tie in first downs and a 203-113 advantage in passing yards at that juncture.

Sanders pulled no punches regarding the offensive output. We’ve been horrible, Sanders said, according to espn.com. Don’t sugarcoat it. We’ve been horrible. What did we have, seven points? You’re not going to win. You’re not going to win.

The defensive unit, led by coordinator Chris Marve, absorbed the brunt of the pressure across the first five weeks of the season, prompting Wilson to express accountability to his teammates. I’ve still got to go apologize to them, Wilson said of the defense, according to denverpost.com.

Preparing For Utah After The Rest Period

Sanders expressed lingering disappointment over the missed homecoming opportunity against Texas Tech while emphasizing the physical and mental work required during the upcoming practice window. I expected a win, Sanders said, as reported by espn.com. That’s what I expected today. A tremendous win that would’ve made the bye week so much better. We’re going to work. We’re going to right the wrongs, looking to see how some of the young men respond.

Let’s stop the shenanigans, man. We got one darn problem. You guys know darn well what that is. Let’s stop the foolishness. We’ve got to play better at one specific position. That’s it.

Deion Sanders