The Colorado Buffaloes are fresh off their biggest win of the season, a shocking upset over then-No. 21 Iowa State, and riding the most confidence they’ve had all season into a game against the Utah Utes.
The moment is a pivotal one in Colorado’s season that could either see them rebound to 4-4 with their bowl game hopes still very alive or end up with those hopes on the brink at 3-6. The Buffaloes have a lot going right, with the surging Kaidon Salter leading a talented offense and a defense that might be turning a corner thanks to a powerful pass rush.
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Despite this, there are several reasons why Colorado will fall short against its Rocky Mountain rival, Utah.
The stadium pulse bar is shaking
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; The Utah Utes celebrate a moment of loudness between the third and fourth quarter of the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The Big 12 is home to numerous challenging home environments, but few match up to Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Buffaloes’ struggles on the road are well-documented, and they would need a miracle turnaround to be competitive if they let the crowd get into it. One big play or key mistake at any point in the game could be Colorado’s undoing if they allow themselves to get overwhelmed by the crowd noise.
Dampier strikes back
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
While Ute’s starting quarterback, Devon Dampier, was listed on the injury report all week, he is expected to play and is the Buffaloes’ worst nightmare heading into this game. A true dual-threat and maybe one of the only quarterbacks in the nation who is better at running the ball than Salter. I’m sure Colorado’s defensive staff still has nightmares about what Haynes King did to them in Week 1, and if they let Dampier get going, it could be even worse.
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Oops, I did it again
Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Micah Welch (29) fumbles the football in the third quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Colorado cleaned up their act against Iowa State, not turning the ball over once, and that proved to be the difference when all was said and done. In this environment, the Buffaloes have to keep playing clean football against one of the nation’s most formidable defenses. Not only is it asking a lot of Salter, but it’s asking a boatload of a depleted offensive line to give him time to make plays.
Hello, old friend
Sep 6, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs for a touchdown against the Cal Poly Mustangs during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Even in their biggest win of the season, the Buffaloes’ defense was gashed by running back Abu Sama III for huge gains that kept the Cyclones’ hopes alive. Unluckily for the Buffaloes, it’s not just Dampier who can run the ball well on the Utes’ offense; it’s nearly every player in the backfield. Utah runs for the sixth most rushing yards per game in the nation, sitting at 240 on average, an insane mark to ask a struggling Colorado run defense to limit.
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Utah’s suffocating defense
Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) celebrates a touchdown reception in second quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Outside of the Texas Tech game, Utah’s pass defense has been absolutely lights out, only allowing 155 passing yards per game through its seven games so far. That’s the seventh-best mark in the nation, and the Buffaloes have struggled to get their deep passing game going all season. Colorado will need to lean on its big playmakers to keep them in it, but nothing will come easy on Saturday.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado vs. Utah: Reasons the Buffaloes will lose
