Oct 184 min read

Desert Duel: Colorado Meets Arizona in Big 12 Showdown

Shedeur Sanders scrambles out of the pocket — © Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

In a tightly contested Big 12 Conference race, the Colorado Buffaloes (4-2, 2-1) and Arizona Wildcats (3-3, 1-2) are eager for a much-needed victory at 4 p.m. EST on Oct. 19. This matchup marks the first meeting between the two programs as Big 12 members after spending 13 seasons together in the Pac-12 Conference.

Series History

Colorado and Arizona have faced off on the gridiron a total of 26 times since 1931. While the Buffaloes lead the all-time series 16-10, the Wildcats have had the upper hand lately, winning nine of the last 13 matchups since 2011. Currently, Arizona has claimed victory in the last two contests against Colorado.

Last year, CU held a lead for most of the game in Boulder, Colo., but Arizona rallied, outscoring the Buffaloes 10-0 in the fourth quarter and sealing the win with a field goal as time expired. With nearly a year gone by, this matchup is shaping up to be another instant classic.

T-Mac vs. Hunter

With a wealth of NFL talent set to take the field this weekend, rumors suggest that numerous pro scouts will be in attendance at Arizona Stadium. One of the most anticipated head-to-head matchups of the college football season features Arizona superstar wideout Tetairoa McMillan squaring off against Colorado's two-way standout Travis Hunter.

Both players are projected to be bonafide first-round selections during the 2025 NFL Draft, and it's easy to see why. Last season, McMillan was targeted 5 times while being covered by Hunter, catching only 3 passes for 15 yards. However, the 6-foot-5 pass-catcher did happen to haul in a pair of acrobatic receptions including a highlight-reel one-handed snag for a touchdown in the Wildcats win. Clearly, the second act of this matchup will surely have NFL scouts drooling.

Keys to Victory: Colorado

Despite finishing the night with a troubling minus-29 rushing yards in their loss to the No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats (5-1, 2-1), Colorado had several chances to secure a win in the final moments. While the defeat was tough, there were still plenty of positives to take away. Notably, QB Shedeur Sanders has made a strong case for being the top signal caller in the nation. Even with four of his top wideouts sidelined due to injury against K-State, Sanders sliced through the Wildcats' defense for 388 yards and 3 passing touchdowns.

According to head coach Deion Sanders, both Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. are expected to play this weekend after leaving the game in the first half due to injury. If they’re cleared to go against Arizona, don’t be surprised if this potent passing attack gives a banged-up Wildcats secondary some serious trouble.

An improved Buffaloes pass rush will also be eager to wreak havoc in the Arizona backfield. After recording just 5 sacks in their first four games, the Buffs have surged with a total of 9 sacks over the last two weeks. With 10 different CU rushers having notched at least one sack, this showcases the enhanced depth of this squad compared to last year's team. Get to the quarterback, and Colorado will be celebrating all afternoon long.

Keys to Victory: Arizona

Replacing nearly the entire coaching staff was always going to be a challenge, but few anticipated the Wildcats would struggle this much under the new regime. Shockingly, they find themselves with more questions than answers at the halfway point of the regular season. While the talent is evident on paper, something just isn’t clicking.

While injuries continue to mount, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, the offensive execution has also been puzzling. So far, QB Noah Fifita has thrown more interceptions (9) than he did all of last season (6). It seems he’s often staring down his receivers instead of going through his progressions. Although the play calling on offense hasn’t helped his situation, Arizona needs their star quarterback to recapture flashes of his former self. If he can do that, the Wildcats' chances of winning will significantly increase.

The Wildcats average a respectable 141 rushing yards per game, which could significantly aid Fifita and the offense. Colorado has generally been solid against the run this season, but they did allow 185 rushing yards at an average of 4.3 yards per carry last weekend. Run the ball effectively, and it will also keep Colorado's potent offense off the field.

Final Thoughts

Even though both sides enter this contest unranked, this pivotal showdown couldn’t be more important. A win could thrust one of these teams back into contention, while a loss may send the other spiraling out of control. The stakes are incredibly high. Colorado has shown significant improvement compared to the team that fell short against Arizona last year, and they are also healthier than the Wildcats. Unless McMillan has an electrifying performance, the Buffs may have too much firepower for Arizona to contain.