It was the game of the week in the Big 12 as two teams who were in contention for a Big 12 title berth, Texas Tech and Colorado, met in Lubbock for a Week 11 showdown.
Colorado was fresh off a bye week, while the Red Raiders had pulled off an upset in Ames against the Iowa State Cyclones in Week 11. The winner would stay right in the thick of the Big 12 title race, while the loser would feel like their chances had taken a huge hit.
And while it was Texas Tech jumping out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, the Buffaloes came roaring back to win the game 41-27. Here are the three biggest takeaways on the game.
Colorado’s Defensive Line Stands Up
This unit continues to blossom for the Buffaloes. On Saturday, they racked up six sacks and ten tackles for loss against Texas Tech. Colorado leads the Big 12 in sacks in conference play. And as the game went on and CU built its lead, Tech was forced into more throwing situations, which set up Colorado’s pass rush for a big afternoon.
This gives the Buffaloes defense has 24 sacks over six Big 12 games this season. Last season, Colorado struggled mightily in the the trenches, but they’re gradually progressed this season and the defensive line is now playing the best in the conference. This team will be a force to be reckon with down the final three weeks of the season.
Related: Tim Tebow Believes Shedeur Sanders Can Lead Colorado to Big 12 Title
Texas Tech Squanders One at Home
This was the biggest November home game in Lubbock in over a decade and the Red Raiders found themselves with a 13-0 lead after the first quarter. Everything was going perfectly, until it wasn’t. Colorado got on the board halfway through the second quarter when Shedeur Sanders found LaJohntay Wester for a 35-yard touchdown. On the next CU drive, they marched 74 yards down the field for a field goal. And then before halftime, TTU missed a 53-yarder.
Colorado got the ball to start the second half and scored touchdowns on its first three drives to find itself up 31-20. There was another classic Texas Tech offensive decision, going for it on 4th and 5 from their own 31-yard line. While the analytics may suggest going for it here, the Red Raiders were down 24-20, and the defense had just given up two-straight touchdowns. Tech did not complete the first down and four plays later, Sanders found Travis Hunter for a 24-yard score to take a 31-20 lead late in the third quarter.
Texas Tech did score a touchdown with just over two minutes left to make it a 34-27 game, forced a three-and-out, but then with the ball pinned back deep in their own territory, Behren Morton got stripped, which was picked up for a scoop and score by the Buffaloes to seal the 41-27 win.
Colorado’s Big 12 Hopes are Great
The Buffaloes are now three wins away from reaching the Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington. After Iowa State lost to Kansas on Saturday, they now control their own destiny to make the Big 12 Championship and, with a win, reach the College Football Playoff.
It’s an incredible Year 2 from Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes, who got off to a hot start in 2023, but then struggled during the back half of the season to finish 4-8. Colorado finishes the season with Utah, Kansas and Oklahoma State.
Back in August this three-game stretch looked much more difficult than it does today. In fact, the most dangerous of the bunch is Kansas, who is finally getting the offense humming under Jalon Daniels. But it’s entirely reasonable for the Buffaloes to start dreaming of a berth in the College Football Playoff.
