A Surprising Signal-Caller Emerges
As the Colorado Buffaloes (1-1) prepare for their first road test and Big 12 conference opener, a significant question looms over the team: who is leading the offense? In a surprising turn of events, third-year sophomore Ryan Staub is expected to start at quarterback against the undefeated Houston Cougars (2-0). Staub, who began the season as the third-string option, seized his opportunity in last week’s 31-7 victory over Delaware, coming off the bench to throw for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
His performance has seemingly vaulted him ahead of the two quarterbacks who entered the season with higher profiles: senior transfer Kaidon Salter and highly-touted five-star freshman Julian Lewis. Staub’s emergence as the “hot hand” has created a complex but compelling dynamic for head coach Deion Sanders as the team heads into a crucial conference matchup.
The High-Stakes Quarterback Room
While Staub may have earned the starting nod for now, Coach Sanders is navigating a delicate balancing act. The modern era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has added a new layer of pressure, particularly concerning freshman Julian Lewis. Heralded as a future star, Lewis has seen minimal action, completing just two of four passes for eight yards through the first two games.
There is mounting pressure to keep the young quarterback involved, with concerns that a lack of playing time could prompt him to enter the transfer portal. According to one report, this pressure is largely financial, as high-profile recruits like Lewis are essentially on one-year contracts in the NIL landscape. Managing the expectations of Lewis and Salter, who have a combined $1.8 million in NIL valuations, while rewarding Staub’s performance, presents a significant challenge for the coaching staff.
Embracing the Underdog Role
The rise of Ryan Staub is emblematic of a larger theme for this year’s Buffaloes squad: the emergence of the underdog. Coach Sanders, a Hall of Famer known for his star power, has openly expressed his affinity for players who have had to fight for their opportunities. “I cried when I saw the movie Rudy,” Sanders admitted. “I love and I will invest in an underdog every day that ends with a Y.”
This year’s team is leaning on several such players who are making unexpected impacts:
- Simeon Price: After sitting in the transfer portal for six months without an offer, the running back is now the team’s leading rusher.
- Ben Finneseth: A former walk-on, the fifth-year safety earned a scholarship in the spring and has started both games this season.
- Jeremiah Brown: After playing just two defensive snaps in the season opener, the linebacker started against Delaware and led the team with 10 tackles.
These unheralded players are proving that grit and determination are just as valuable as five-star ratings, a reality becoming more apparent across the college football landscape, as reported by sources like digitaltrendstoday.com.
Friday Night Lights in Texas
The Buffaloes will need that underdog spirit when they travel to Houston. The game is scheduled for Friday, September 12, with kickoff at 5:30 p.m. MT at TDECU Stadium. The matchup will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Oddsmakers have positioned the Cougars as 4.5-point favorites, reinforcing Colorado’s underdog status for their conference debut. After a season-opening 27-20 loss to Georgia Tech, the Buffs are looking to build on the momentum from their win over Delaware and prove they can compete on the road. Their success may very well depend on the arm of an unexpected quarterback and the continued rise of a roster full of players determined to make their mark.
