BYU (3-0, 0-0) at Colorado (2-2, 0-1)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 8:15 p.m. MDT
- Venue: Folsom Field (capacity: 50,183)
- TV: ESPN
- Livestream: ESPN.com/watch
- Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM/BYU Radio Sirius XM 143.
- Series: Colorado leads, 7-4-1
The trends
For BYU: The Cougars passed their first major test of the season by defeating East Carolina on the road last week, with their defense proving its elite status and the offense appearing rather encouraging as well.
After a shaky start, Bear Bachmeier rallied back to finish on a tear against the Pirates, ultimately throwing for 246 yards on 18-of-25 passing. The true freshman’s high ceiling has flashed at times — especially in the second half against ECU — and he still has yet to cough up a turnover.
Though BYU’s defense gave up its first touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter against the Pirates, Jay Hill’s unit is still tied for first nationally by allowing just 5.33 points per game and has racked up seven sacks, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
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Additionally, the Cougars are second in rushing defense, limiting opponents to 1.6 yards per carry.
BYU entered the AP rankings for the first time earlier this week, currently sitting at No. 25 as the fourth Big 12 team in the poll.
After winning in Greenville, the Cougars are now 35-4 in games that kicked off at 6 p.m. or later since 2019.
For Colorado: The Buffaloes seemingly have taken a step back following the departures of superstars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, currently appearing unlikely to factor into the Big 12 championship picture.
Colorado is 2-2, with wins over Delaware State and Wyoming and losses to Georgia Tech and Houston.
The Buffaloes have had a bit of turbulence at quarterback, having already benched starter Kaidon Salter this year but now are turning to the fifth-year senior once again.
Colorado’s rushing offense ranks No. 89 nationally, but the Buffaloes will be without running backs Simeon Price and Dekalon Taylor, who have combined for 342 yards in 2025.
Wideout Sincere Brown headlines Colorado’s offensive weapons, as the Campbell/USF transfer is averaging 29.0 yards per catch to go with two touchdowns.
Defensively, Colorado has allowed 22.5 points per game, but in Power Four showdowns with Georgia Tech and Houston, the Buffaloes surrendered 27 and 36 points.
Should Coach Prime and company fall to the Cougars, they would be 0-2 already in the Big 12, with games against two ranked teams in TCU and Iowa State next on their schedule. How Colorado fares against BYU may very well make or break its season.
What to watch for
Bear Bachmeier will get his first taste of Big 12 action on Saturday, having been sharp in the second half against East Carolina. Colorado’s secondary has been questionable — the Buffaloes hold a 57.3 overall team coverage grade from Pro Football Focus — so look for Bachmeier to try testing that matchup.
The Cougars’ defensive ends have yet to record a sack in 2025, while Colorado QBs have been sacked nine times in the past three games (including taking five sacks against FCS Delaware). This could be the week a BYU edge finally brings down the quarterback.
Colorado struggles to stop the run, while BYU excels at running the football. Look for last year’s Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP LJ Martin to have a big night against the Buffaloes.
Key player
LJ Martin, junior, running back, BYU: Martin has been the crown jewel of the Cougar offense thus far in 2025 — and arguably the best running back in the Big 12 as well.
The junior bruiser has rushed for 342 yards at an average of 8.6 yards per carry, eclipsing 100 yards in each of BYU’s first three games.
Against Colorado, Martin should feast once again. The Buffaloes rank No. 121 in run defense, surrendering 194.5 yards per game on the ground.
In last year’s Alamo Bowl against Colorado, Martin ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Don’t be surprised if he has another strong outing Saturday in Boulder, especially as he’ll shoulder more of the rushing load with BYU’s running back depth a bit thin at the moment.
Quotable
“This is a really talented team, so it’s not gonna be an easy game to go in there and play. I’m sure they remember the bowl game. I am sure they want some payback. But it’s a different year, different mindset, and I’m happy with the way we’re playing.
“We just got to go in and make sure that we do our part. I can’t control what they do, but we can control what we do, and we can control all the things that we’ve made mistakes on from the last weekend and even the two games before that.” — BYU coach Kalani Sitake
“Coach Sitake, I consider him a friend, I consider him a dear, dear, dear friend and a God-fearing man which I adore, a man of standard and a man of principle, a darn good coach and a good dude. He’s going to have his team ready. They’ve been playing superbly this season even with a young quarterback. Defensively, they’ve been shutting things down and doing the doggone thing, offensively they’ve been physical and tough.
“We’ve got to win these type of games. We’ve got to be dominant in these type of games. … We want to come out there and give you the best that we possibly can give you on every phase of the game. And these young men, they want to do the same. They know the whole world is watching. It’s nationally televised game, a night game. It is what it is. We’ve got to play and we want to come out victorious, and we will if we execute the things that we’re capable of doing.” — Colorado coach Deion Sanders
Next up
- BYU: vs. West Virginia on Oct. 3
- Colorado: at TCU on Oct. 4
BYU schedule
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