Texas Tech Red Raiders at Colorado Buffaloes

Injuries noted

Texas Tech Red Raiders: Thomas Castellanos (out) — Backup QB. Ruled ineligible after the Kentucky Court of Appeals dissolved the temporary restraining order that had let him play. A Texas Tech spokesman said he will not play at Colorado. He is not injured.; Terrance Carter Jr. (questionable) — Tight end and starter. Listed questionable on the initial availability report; has missed two of four games. The Oct. 2 A-J preview says he is expected to return.; Howard Sampson (questionable) — Starting left tackle; questionable on the initial availability report.; Cash Cleveland (questionable) — Starting left guard; questionable on the initial availability report.; Mikal Harrison-Pilot (questionable) — Safety; questionable on the initial availability report.; Oliver Miles III (questionable) — Safety; questionable on the initial availability report.; Amier Boyd (questionable) — Cornerback; questionable on the initial availability report.; Brice Pollock (probable) — No. 1 cornerback; probable.; Austin Romaine (probable) — Linebacker; probable. Buffaloes Wire says he is likely to play.; Adam Trick (probable) — Linebacker/OLB; probable. Buffaloes Wire says he is likely to play.; Ashton Hampton (out) — Cornerback; ruled out on the initial availability report.; Adam Hill (out) — Linebacker; ruled out on the initial availability report.; Elias Gillen (out) — Offensive lineman; ruled out on the initial availability report.

Colorado Buffaloes: Danny Scudero (out) — Wide receiver; ruled out. The Denver Gazette says he won't return until after the bye week.; Preston Ashley (out) — Cornerback; ruled out.; Demetrius Hunter (out) — Offensive lineman; ruled out.; Lamont Lester Jr. (doubtful) — Defensive lineman/end; the team's sack leader and one of the Big 12 sack leaders.; Jason Stokes Jr. (doubtful) — Defensive back and former starter.; Makari Vickers (doubtful) — Defensive back and former starter.; Zach Atkins (doubtful) — Tight end.; Charlie Williams (doubtful) — Tight end.

QUARTERBACK

• Will Hammond is TTU's projected starter

  8.34 Y/A

  Will Hammond is TTU's projected starting quarterback. On Oct. 3, 2026, Yahoo Sports/Roundtable said Hammond 'continues as the Red Raiders' starting quarterback' after leading Texas Tech to a 4-0 start while coming back from an ACL injury. On Sept. 30, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal called him the starter through four games, with 80-of-116 passing for 968 yards, 4 TD and 5 INT, including three interceptions against Sam Houston. Neither opened source quotes an official starter announcement for this game. Backup Thomas Castellanos is ruled out (see injuries). No opened current source discusses Kirk Francis, Lloyd Jones III, Holden Phillips or Stephen Cannon. 2026 line: 968 passing yards, 69.0% completions, 8.34 yards per attempt, 4-5 TD-INT over 4 games.

• Isaac Wilson is COLO's projected starter

  5.67 Y/A

  Isaac Wilson is COLO's projected starting quarterback. ESPN's Max Olson reported on Sept. 29, 2026, citing sources, that Wilson is expected to start after taking first-team reps. Deion Sanders said he had not announced the decision and that it would depend on practice. On Oct. 2, the Denver Gazette said Wilson is 'likely to make his first start as a Buff.' Julian Lewis was benched at halftime of the 23-13 loss at Baylor. No opened current source discusses Dominiq Ponder or Kaneal Sweetwyne. 2026 line: 153 passing yards, 51.9% completions, 5.67 yards per attempt, 1-0 TD-INT over 2 games.

PACE & SCRIPT

• TTU: 36.3 points per game to COLO's 21.5

  14.8 PPG

  Texas Tech is putting up 36.3 a game, close to the 39.4 it averaged over 14 games last season, and Colorado is at 21.5 after 20.9 last year. Both numbers line up with last season, so this gap looks like who these teams are. Colorado needs a slower, shorter game at home to stay close, and the more possessions there are, the more Texas Tech's scoring edge shows up.

MISMATCH

• TTU: 48.9% on third down to COLO's 35.1%

  48.9 VS 35.1

  Texas Tech has converted 48.9% of its third downs through four games, Colorado 35.1%. Tech was at 49.5% over 14 games last season, so this is who that offense is. Colorado is a bit below its 38.4% from last season. Tech's ability to stay on the field should hold up in Boulder, and long drives from them squeeze Colorado's chances to answer.

REPLACEMENT

• Thomas Castellanos (QB) is out for TTU

  OUT

  Backup QB. Ruled ineligible after the Kentucky Court of Appeals dissolved the temporary restraining order that had let him play. A Texas Tech spokesman said he will not play at Colorado. He is not injured. Texas Tech quarterback Thomas Castellanos ruled ineligible before facing Colorado (Yahoo Sports/Roundtable) (2026-10-03)

• Ashton Hampton (CB) is out for TTU

  OUT

  Cornerback; ruled out on the initial availability report. 6 starters listed on Texas Tech football injury report for Colorado game (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) (2026-10-01)

• Adam Hill (LB) is out for TTU

  OUT

  Linebacker; ruled out on the initial availability report. 6 starters listed on Texas Tech football injury report for Colorado game (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) (2026-10-01)

• Elias Gillen (OL) is out for TTU

  OUT

  Offensive lineman; ruled out on the initial availability report. 6 starters listed on Texas Tech football injury report for Colorado game (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) (2026-10-01)

• Danny Scudero (WR) is out for COLO

  OUT

  Wide receiver; ruled out. The Denver Gazette says he won't return until after the bye week. 6 starters listed on Texas Tech football injury report for Colorado game (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) (2026-10-01) 5 storylines to watch as CU Buffs host Big 12 champs Texas Tech (Denver Gazette) (2026-10-02)

• Preston Ashley (CB) is out for COLO

  OUT

  Cornerback; ruled out. 6 starters listed on Texas Tech football injury report for Colorado game (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) (2026-10-01) Colorado vs. Texas Tech injury report lists key Buffs' DL as doubtful (Buffaloes Wire) (2026-10-01)

• Demetrius Hunter (OL) is out for COLO

  OUT

  Offensive lineman; ruled out. 6 starters listed on Texas Tech football injury report for Colorado game (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) (2026-10-01) Colorado vs. Texas Tech injury report lists key Buffs' DL as doubtful (Buffaloes Wire) (2026-10-01)

SITUATIONAL

• TTU: 48.9% third-down conversion rate to COLO's 35.1%

  13.8 PP

  Texas Tech converts 48.9% of third downs, almost the same as its 49.5% last season, so that is a stable strength. Colorado is at 35.1%, down from 38.4%. Tech's rate should hold, and Colorado's has room to tick up. In this game, Tech keeping drives alive means more snaps and more chances to wear on Colorado at home.

TEAM RECORD

• Big 12 game: TTU 1-0, COLO 0-1 in conference

  CONFERENCE

  These two share the Big 12. TTU is 1-0 against it, COLO is 0-1. 2026 standings through 2026-10-03.