The Colorado Buffaloes came up short in Week 1, falling to Georgia Tech 27-20. With stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter now in the NFL, Coach Prime and his new-look squad will look to bounce back in Week 2 against Delaware on Saturday, Sept. 6. The Blue Hens, meanwhile, opened their FBS era with a win over in-state rival Delaware State.
Saturday’s matchup is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with Colorado listed as a 23.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 50.5 total points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.
Two Key Players to Watch
Julian Lewis (Colorado, QB)
Julian Lewis is set to make his college debut Saturday after Coach Prime confirmed the five-star freshman will play against Delaware. Lewis was one of the top recruits in the country and threw for over 11,000 yards in high school. Against an outmatched Delaware defense, Lewis could flash the talent that made him one of the highest-rated quarterbacks in the 2025 class. It’s a low-pressure opportunity that could provide an early glimpse of Colorado’s future at quarterback, even with Kaidon Salter still holding the starting role.
Nick Minicucci (Delaware, QB)
Nick Minicucci threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns while adding 44 rushing yards in a 35-17 win over Delaware State. His efficiency, completing 28 of 36 passes with no interceptions, showed poise and control in the opening game. Minicucci’s dual-threat ability will be key against a Colorado defense that allowed Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King to rush for 156 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. If he can extend plays and take advantage of breakdowns, he could give the Buffaloes more trouble than expected.
Two Key Storylines
Colorado’s Rushing Defense Needs a Response
Colorado’s rushing defense was exposed in Week 1, giving up 320 yards on the ground to Georgia Tech. With Delaware coming off a strong performance of its own, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, the Buffaloes need to show improvement quickly. Opponents averaged 6.8 yards per rush against Colorado last week, a number that must drop significantly if the Buffaloes hope to dominate on their home turf. Strengthening the front seven will be critical if the Buffs want to set the tone before heading into the grind of Big 12 play.
A Historic First FBS Season
This year marks Delaware’s first season at the FBS level, and a road trip to Colorado provides an early chance to showcase the program on a big stage. A competitive showing would go a long way in the future of the program and for head coach Ryan Carty, it’s also an opportunity to measure his roster against Power Four talent. More importantly, a strong performance could give Delaware momentum and confidence as it settles into its new era.
Prediction: Colorado 48, Delaware 10
Colorado should bounce back this week after a tough opener, as the Buffaloes have the talent advantage across the board. Lewis making his debut adds excitement, but Salter and the starters should be able to handle business early. Delaware showed promise in its FBS debut with Minicucci leading a balanced attack, but the jump in competition will be significant. Expect the Blue Hens to land a few punches, especially on the ground, but Colorado’s speed and playmaking ability should help the program get back in the win column comfortably.
