Line: Kansas State by 4 1/2.
Series Record: Colorado leads 44-19-1.
Last Meeting: 2008, Colorado 14-13.
What’s at Stake
Amazingly, the Buffaloes and Wildcats are playing for first place in the Big 12 North. Kansas State is already there after routing Texas A&M 62-14, a 100-point turnaround from the week before against Texas. Colorado, currently second, can get at least a tie for the North lead after last week’s surprising win over then 17th-ranked Kansas.
Key Matchup
Colorado defense vs. Kansas State running game. The Buffaloes have been stifling against the run in the Big 12, allowing 38 yards combined in two games, including minus-8 to Kansas last week. Kansas State’s duo of Daniel Thomas and Keithen Valentine have combined for 995 yards and scored six TDs between them last week against the Aggies.
Players to Watch
Colorado: QB Tyler Hansen. The sophomore replaced Cody Hawkins, the coach’s son, as the starter last week and looked like he should have been there all along. Hansen finally got Colorado’s offense going last week against the Jayhawks, running for a touchdown and throwing for another.
Kansas State: WR/KR Brandon Banks. Kansas State’s diminutive speedster is a threat to score on every touch, particularly on kicks. The senior has returned a school-record three for touchdowns this season, including a 97-yarder to open the second half against Texas A&M last week.
