Colorado Buffaloes Face Baylor Bears in Big 12 Opener

The Colorado Buffaloes, led by Head Coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, are set to host the Baylor Bears in a Big 12 Conference football match on Saturday, September 21, at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. The game will commence at 6 p.m. local time and will be broadcast nationally on Fox.

This encounter marks the Buffaloes’ return to the Big 12, a division they had left in favor of the Pac-12 back in 2011. Both teams enter the matchup with a record of 2-1, and the winner will gain an early lead in the conference with a 1-0 Big 12 record. The Buffaloes, coming off a 28-9 victory over Colorado State, aim to maintain their winning momentum. The Bears also claim a recent win, having defeated Air Force 31-3.

Analysts suggest that the outcome of this game may largely depend on Colorado’s passing game performance. Baylor has primarily faced teams with ground-centric offenses and the Buffaloes’ passing game is expected to challenge the Bears’ secondary, which has allowed only 76 yards per game through the air this season.

The game will feature several noteworthy performers. Colorado’s quarterback has thrown for 999 yards and secured nine touchdowns in the current season, with receivers like , who has amassed 342 yards and five touchdowns, playing pivotal roles in the Buffaloes’ offensive strategy. The Bears, on the other hand, will depend on their defensive leaders such as linebackers Matt Jones and Keaton Thomas. Sawyer Robertson, who stepped in at quarterback against Air Force, will endeavor to continue his commendable form, having thrown for 248 yards last week.

Commenting on the matchup, Coach Sanders, who achieved a 6-9 record since his tenure began at Colorado, highlighted the importance of embracing the return to the Big 12. Counterpart Baylor coach Dave Aranda, who holds a 25-26 record in his tenure at Baylor, also recognizes the significance of the game in the wider context of their season objectives.

The winner of this much-anticipated fixture will not only take an early lead within the conference but also potentially set the tone for the rest of their season. Following this, Colorado will prepare to face UCF in Orlando, Florida, which represents their longest journey of the season.