Kansas State opponent preview: Colorado
Our opponent series for the 2024 Kansas State season continues with game No. 2 versus Tulane. (All stats via bcftoys.com, collegefootballdata.com, and stats.ncaa.org)
LAST FIVE MEETINGS: Kansas State has won three of the last five meetings, which consisted of a 34-21 win in Boulder in 2006, a 47-20 win in Manhattan in 2007 and 20-6 win in Manhattan in 2009. However, they fell 14-13 in Boulder in 2008 and 44-36 in Boulder in 2010. Colorado leads the all-time series 45-20-1, and K-State is just 5-28 in Boulder. The Wildcats are 8-6 versus the Buffaloes since 1997.
2023 RECORD: 4-8 overall, 1-8 in the Pac-12. Tied for 12th in the league.
Colorado started with a surprising road win at TCU and at home over Nebraska, ranking as high as No. 18 in the AP poll in mid-September. The Buffaloes managed another pair of wins over 100+ ranked Colorado State and Arizona State that straddled losses to top 10 opponents Oregon and USC for a 4-2 record in early October.
However, they went on to lose eight of their last nine games as the schedule toughened. They were competitive in one-score losses to USC, Oregon State, Arizona and Utah. So, Kansas State may wish they could play them a little later in the season.
COACH: Deion Sanders is in his second year leading Colorado after going 27-6 in three seasons at Jackson State. Jackson State finished ranked in the top 25 of the major FCS polls in his last two seasons.
2023 REVIEW: Colorado finished No. 75 in the F+ ratings, No. 44 in offense and No. 108 on defense.
Their passing offense was a strength, ranking No. 16 in yards per game, No. 43 in success rate and No. 28 in efficiency. Colorado threw the ball 65 percent of the time. The rushing attack ranked outside the top 100 in nearly every category and the Buffaloes were No. 64 in points per drive and No. 85 in available yards gained.
The defense was the worst of any current Big 12 team in 2023, ranking inside the top 100 in only explosiveness allowed, including a No. 117 rank in points per drive and No. 113 in yardage rate. Special teams finished No. 80 in the FEI with strengths in punt coverage and punt returns (both top 40).
If the defense and special teams do not make noticeable improvements, K-State could prove to be a tough matchup for them.
2024 PROJECTION: Colorado is picked No. 11 in the Big 12 preseason poll with an average rank of No. 52 in the preseason rankings. The offense is tabbed at No. 46 and defense at No. 105 in the SP+ for 2024. Colorado is ranked No. 18 in returning production, No. 48 on offense and No. 18 on defense.
The Buffaloes return their quarterback and two of the top three receivers, though all running backs are gone with significant carries and six of the top eight offensive linemen are gone (only six total starts return).
Six players return with at least seven starts on defense and the top three in total tackles are back.
KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
QB Shedeur Sanders: He is a preseason All-Big 12 pick after completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and three interceptions. It should be fun to watch him against an outstanding Kansas State secondary.
WR Travis Hunter: The two-way star is Colorado’s leading returner in yards at 721, while catching 57 balls for five scores in 2023.
WR Jimmy Horn: Horn led the team with six touchdowns and added 58 receptions for 567 yards.
WR Will Sheppard: A Vanderbilt transfer, Sheppard had 150 catches for 2,037 yards and 21 touchdowns over the last three seasons and should help off-set the loss of Xavier Weaver.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
CB Travis Hunter: Potentially a Heisman Trophy contender, Hunter was a first team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023 and landed on the preseason All-Big 12 team. He finished with five passes broken up, three interceptions and 30 tackles last season.
LB LaVonta Bentley: Bentley finished 2023 with 68 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and a team-leading five sacks.
DB Shilo Sanders: Another son of the head coach, Shilo led the team with 55 solo tackles and 70 total and also forced four fumbles and broke up three passes.
DL BJ Green II: Green transferred from fellow Big 12 newcomer Arizona State and made the preseason All-Big 12 team. He had 60 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks over the last three seasons in Tempe.
KANSAS STATE WINS IF…
Handles a third sneaky, tough road game out of the first six to start the season. Tulane, BYU, and Colorado should all be mediocre teams in 2024, but alternating trips on the road during the first half of the season will create some challenges.
If K-State stays true to their identity, they will exploit a bad defense and the experiment by Colorado to replace nearly their entire offensive line and running back group from last season.
K-STATE LOSES IF…
Shedeur Sanders elevates his talent to go along with a pretty good group of receivers behind an offensive line that finds cohesion despite multiple new pieces. Also, the defense improves to be at least average after giving up yards in bunches last season.
Fan’s Prediction: Kansas State 42, Colorado 24
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