Four Wildcats Quarterbacks Injured Before CU Match

Kansas State enters its matchup against Colorado with all four quarterbacks dealing with injuries. The Wildcats face the Buffs at noon Saturday at Folsom Field, a contest that serves as the home debut for head coach Colin Klein. The visiting team travels to Boulder after a 28-17 loss to Arizona State in Tempe last week. Colorado, currently 2-5 overall and 0-4 in conference play, looks to halt a season that has drawn sharp criticism.

Klein, a former Loveland standout and Big 12 title winner from 2012, described the injury situation at quarterback as crazy. Starting quarterback Avery Johnson is considered day-to-day after missing his first career start against Arizona State with an unspecified ailment. The coaching staff may turn to Blake Barnett, who played at the University of Erie, for potential snaps. Barnett attended a school that is a short drive from Boulder, adding a local dimension to the visitor's roster.

The betting market reflects the uncertainty. BetMGM lists Colorado as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 46.5 points. The weather is expected to be 63 degrees and cloudy, with a possibility of showers. Colorado leads the all-time series against Kansas State, 45-22-1. The Wildcats won the most recent meeting, 24-14, in Manhattan last year.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders addressed recent media attention during the week. He clarified that a comment by YouTuber Christopher Neely, who suggested Sanders would pay critics $50,000 to not mention his name for a year, was a joke. Sanders has not won a Big 12 game since September 12. The Buffs lead the conference in penalties, a statistic that has fueled criticism of their execution on the field.

Staff predictions for the contest are split. Kyle Newman picks Kansas State 20, Colorado 17, citing the Buffs' lack of discipline and special teams errors. Troy Renck also favors the Wildcats, 23-20, arguing that Kansas State is the most winnable game left on Colorado's schedule. Renck notes that Colorado must win out to qualify for a bowl game, a floor expectation for a coach earning $10 million.

Sean Keeler offers a contrarian take, predicting Colorado 23, Kansas State 21. He points to the emotional state of Sanders and the potential for a Blake Barnett start to make the game unpredictable. Keeler believes the Buffs are due for a breakout performance, similar to their play against Iowa State in 2025, provided they protect the ball.

Nate Peterson sides with Kansas State, 28-24. He acknowledges the injury issues on the visiting side but emphasizes Colorado's inability to avoid self-inflicted wounds. Peterson notes that fans are tired of off-field headlines involving lawsuits and media disputes, demanding tangible results from the Big 12's highest-paid coach.

The series history shows Colorado dominating this rivalry historically, but the current momentum favors the visitors. Kansas State has gained traction in the Big 12 despite its personnel challenges. Colorado must overcome its penalty issues and offensive inconsistencies to secure a win. The outcome will determine if the Buffs can end their winless stretch in conference play.

Both teams have distinct paths to victory. Kansas State relies on defensive pressure and capitalizing on Colorado turnovers. Colorado must execute in the passing game and manage the clock effectively. The game airs on TNT and is available on 850 AM and 94.1 FM. The stakes involve more than just the scoreboard, as it tests the resilience of both programs in the middle of a volatile season.