Colorado appears set to make a significant change under center as the Buffaloes prepare for a huge Big 12 showdown against No. 12 Texas Tech this weekend. According to CBS Sports, Colorado is expected to start quarterback Isaac Wilson, replacing former five-star recruit Julian Lewis after four games.
Lewis entered the season with high expectations and showed flashes of why he was one of the nation’s most sought-after quarterback prospects. The freshman delivered his best performance in Week 2 vs. Weber State, when he threw for 366 yards, giving Colorado fans a glimpse of his long-term potential. However, consistency has been an issue for the Buffaloes offense, and head coach Deion Sanders appears ready to make a change as Colorado looks to get its season back on track.
And against non-FCS competition, the Buffaloes’ offense has been horrible, averaging 11.3 points per game vs. Georgia Tech, Northwestern and Baylor.
The move shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. During last week’s game against Baylor, Sanders pulled Lewis and turned to Wilson in an effort to spark the offense. While Colorado ultimately came up short, Wilson provided enough encouragement, going 12/25 for 156 yards and one touchdown, that the coaching staff is now expected to stick with him heading into one of the toughest games on the schedule.
Wilson arrived in Boulder with plenty of experience and pedigree of his own. The former Utah quarterback played plenty in 2024, before rarely seeing the field in 2025. But in 2024, when thrown into duty as the back-up quarterback, he threw 10 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, with 1,510 passing yards and a 56% completion percentage. Now, he’ll have an opportunity to seize control of the Buffaloes offense against a Texas Tech team that is trying to defend its Big 12 title, but has had issues vs. the pass, ranking 13th in the Big 12 in passing defense so far this season.
If Wilson can provide stability and limit mistakes, he could give Colorado the spark it desperately needs. But facing a ranked Texas Tech squad is no easy assignment, making this one of the most intriguing storylines to watch around the Big 12 in Week 5.
Texas Tech at Colorado kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT on FOX.
