Colorado football’s toughest stretch of the season continues with a trip to Fort Worth to take on the TCU Horned Frogs, who are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Arizona State.
Both teams come off a three-point loss that, arguably, they should have won. Finding themselves with their backs now against the wall in Big 12 Conference play, these two teams are desperate for a win. For Colorado, it would mean getting a middling season back on track, while TCU has Big 12 title hopes it seeks to achieve.
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Colorado enters as fierce underdogs, so here’s what they need to do to come away with a win and get back to .500 against TCU.
Be your best self
Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Members of the Brigham Young Cougars against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
After last week’s close loss to BYU, it finally feels like Colorado has found an offense that works for them. Leaning on the run game, staying ahead of the chains, and utilizing playmakers in open space should be the identity for the Buffaloes moving forward. If they want to win, they have to stick with it; otherwise, the players will lose faith in what the coaching staff is working toward.
Find the explosive plays
Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) throws an interception in the fourth quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
When Wyoming came to Boulder, the Buffaloes were finding explosive plays nearly every time their offense touched the ball. Kaidon Salter completed four passes for over 25 yards against the Cowboys, but against BYU last week, he threw one. A 26-yard completion to Joseph Williams was the most the Buffaloes’ offense could muster in the passing game, and it won’t be enough against TCU’s air raid offense. If they can find Sincere Brown or Omarion Miller to open up the passing game, it’ll pay dividends for the offense.
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Stop the option? The option to do what
Oct 19, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) warms up before a game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Josh Hoover is not a running quarterback; in fact, the only time he’s ever finished a season with positive rushing yards was in 2023. However, he’s shown more willingness to run as of late, and Colorado has had no issues handing free rushing yards to non-scrambling quarterbacks. Against Houston, they allowed Conner Weigman to gain 83 yards, which is 20% of his career rushing yards.
Colorado has not looked good defending the quarterback run or option, and TCU is aware of this. They’ve got to key in on that issue and make Hoover beat them downfield.
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Nothing is ever free
Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Martavius French (37) reacts to a pass inference penalty called on him in the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Buffaloes caught a nasty case of the defensive penalty bug last week, with two defensive pass interference penalties and a defensive holding that allowed BYU to continue drives. There are hardly any teams in the nation that throw more than TCU, meaning that Colorado cannot hand anything to the Horned Frogs for free. If they can get their heads around, find the ball on contested catches that we know Hoover will try, they’ll save themselves a massive headache watching the film on Monday.
You make your own luck
Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes safety Carter Stoutmire (23) and safety Tawfiq Byard (7) defend an attempt at Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (4) in the first quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
After another turnover-less week against BYU, it’s now been three straight games without the defense coming up with a play to help their offense. Taking away a possession and giving the offense a short field to work with is precisely what the Buffaloes need to cure their ailing second-half woes. If this team wants to get back on the winning track, they’re going to have to make their own luck and steal something from the Horned Frogs.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football keys to a win over TCU
