Kansas State Wildcats at Colorado Buffaloes

Injuries noted

Kansas State Wildcats: Avery Johnson (out) — QB #2 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Jacob Knuth (out) — QB #7 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report

Colorado Buffaloes: Ernest Campbell (questionable) — WR #4 listed Questionable on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Danny Scudero (out) — WR #18 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Braylon Edwards (out) — DB #26 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Micah Welch (out) — RB #29 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Vili Taufatofua (out) — DL #45 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Sam Gadie (out) — DE #92 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report

QUARTERBACK

• Isaac Wilson is COLO's projected starter

  7.66 Y/A

  Isaac Wilson is COLO's projected starting quarterback. On Oct. 30 SI's Colorado site reported that Wilson has been the starter since Julian Lewis was benched at halftime of the Baylor game. It did not name a starter for this game. Buffaloes Wire (Oct. 30) calls Wilson Colorado's quarterback for the Kansas State game. It says he has 979 passing yards and 6 TDs this season and notes three Colorado turnovers in last week's loss to Oklahoma State. I found no Colorado announcement or depth chart naming him the starter for this game, so he is projected, not confirmed. None of the sources I opened reported an injury or limited practice for Wilson from last game or this week. That is unknown, not a sign he is healthy. 2026 line: 981 passing yards, 60.2% completions, 7.66 yards per attempt, 6-7 TD-INT over 5 games.

TRENCHES

• KSU: 218.4 rushing yards per game to COLO's 128

  90.4 YPG

  Kansas State runs for 218.4 a game, well above Colorado's 128. The Wildcats jumped from 171.3 last season, so this is a stronger ground team than a year ago, while Colorado sits near its 125.6. Seven games is a decent sample, though a soft early schedule can inflate rushing numbers. Expect K-State to lean on the run in Boulder and try to shorten the game around it.

PACE & SCRIPT

• KSU: 32.9 points per game to COLO's 20.1

  12.7 PPG

  Kansas State scores 32.9 points a game, a bit up from 29.4 last season, while Colorado is at 20.1, close to its 20.9. Both teams are close to last year's levels, so this gap looks stable. Kansas State should drive the game on the road. A steady, repeatable edge like this supports the Wildcats' team total more than a one-off spike would.

• KSU: 32:18 time of possession per game to COLO's 25:37

  6:41 TOP

  KSU is at 32:18 time of possession per game over 7 games; COLO is at 25:37 over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 30. Last season KSU was at 29:01 over 12 games and COLO at 28:50 over 12 games.

• KSU: 21.1 points allowed per game to COLO's 30.1

  9 PPG

  KSU is at 21.1 points allowed per game over 7 games; COLO is at 30.1 over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 30. Last season KSU was at 26.7 over 12 games and COLO at 30.5 over 12 games.

TURNOVERS

• KSU: 0.86 turnovers committed per game to COLO's 2.29

  1.43 TO

  Kansas State gives the ball away 0.86 times a game, better than its 1.25 last season, while Colorado is at 2.29 after sitting at 1.42 last year. Colorado's spike over 7 games is the number most likely to come down, since turnovers swing a lot. If it doesn't, Kansas State gets short fields on the road. Weigh Colorado's giveaways as partly bad luck when sizing up the spread.

MISMATCH

• KSU: 218.4 rush yards a game to COLO's 128

  218.4 VS 128

  Kansas State is running for 218.4 yards a game this season, up from 171.3 last season, while Colorado sits at 128, close to its 125.6 from a year ago. Colorado's number looks like who it is, and Kansas State's jump has held for seven games. Kansas State can grind out drives on the road and keep Colorado's offense off the field. That points to a game where Kansas State dictates pace and Colorado needs efficient possessions to keep up.

COVERAGE

• KSU: 147.1 passing yards allowed per game to COLO's 252.3

  105.1 YPG

  Kansas State allows 147.1 passing yards a game over 7 games, while Colorado gives up 252.3. Low pass numbers sometimes come from opponents running the ball while trailing, and the sheet does not say who K-State faced. Colorado's defense has been easy to throw on, so Kansas State's passing game has a soft target. If Colorado falls behind and throws a lot, K-State's number gets a real test against volume.

REPLACEMENT

• Avery Johnson (QB) is out for KSU

  OUT

  QB #2 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-30 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-30)

• Jacob Knuth (QB) is out for KSU

  OUT

  QB #7 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-30 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-30)

• Danny Scudero (WR) is out for COLO

  OUT

  WR #18 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-30 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-30)

• Braylon Edwards (DB) is out for COLO

  OUT

  DB #26 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-30 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-30)

• Micah Welch (RB) is out for COLO

  OUT

  RB #29 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-30 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-30)

• Vili Taufatofua (DL) is out for COLO

  OUT

  DL #45 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-30 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-30)

• Sam Gadie (DE) is out for COLO

  OUT

  DE #92 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-30 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-30)

SITUATIONAL

• KSU: 37.3 penalty yards per game to COLO's 84.3

  47 YDS

  KSU is at 37.3 penalty yards per game over 7 games; COLO is at 84.3 over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 30. Last season KSU was at 38.3 over 12 games and COLO at 54.5 over 12 games.

• KSU: 54.5% third-down conversion rate to COLO's 36.5%

  18.1 PP

  KSU is at 54.5% third-down conversion rate over 7 games; COLO is at 36.5% over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 30. Last season KSU was at 37.2% over 12 games and COLO at 38.4% over 12 games.

TEAM RECORD

• Big 12 game: KSU 1-3, COLO 0-4 in conference

  CONFERENCE

  These two share the Big 12. KSU is 1-3 against it, COLO is 0-4. 2026 standings through 2026-10-31.