Colorado QB Isaac Wilson to start against Texas Tech

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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Isaac Wilson is expected to get his first start for the team against No. 12 Texas Tech on Saturday. The Utah transfer has practiced with the Buffs' No. 1 offense, sources confirmed to Roundtable.

Deion Sanders benched starter Julian Lewis, who was four games into his first year as a full-time starter. The 2025 five-star recruit didn't return after halftime of last Saturday's Big 12 opener against Baylor. Wilson gave Colorado a spark, but the Buffaloes still suffered a 23-13 road loss in Waco.

Sanders is in the midst of his fourth season in Boulder with the Buffs now 2-2 on the season. The .500 record matches Coach Prime's worst start at Colorado. He's also 3-10 dating back to last year. The next two games don't get any easier for Sanders and his staff with Texas Tech and No. 13 Utah coming to Folsom Field in the span of three weeks.

In his weekly news conference Tuesday, Sanders refused to name a starting quarterback, but there was a sign Wilson would be promoted this week. "I haven't talked to JuJu. I've talked to Isaac. The kid is excited about the possibilities," Sanders said. "He stood up in the meeting and really talked to the team about this and that and challenged them in many ways. So I'm proud of the young man, I really am."

Wilson started seven games for Utah in 2024. The chaotic year for then Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham led to several injuries and pushed him under center. Wilson threw for 156 yards and a touchdown on 12-of-25 passing and led the Buffaloes on two third-quarter scoring drives against Baylor.

Sanders took responsibility for the decision to bench Lewis. The one-time top high school QB has thrown for 733 yards with seven total touchdowns and three turnovers this season. Not optimal numbers coming out of the gate for the redshirt freshman. Sanders realized his progression wasn't on target and made the decision to throw him back into the rotation.

"It's a decision that I made because I was trying to get us going," Sanders said right after the Baylor loss "That's it. Just based on let's go, we gotta go."

Colorado has one of the worst scoring offenses in the country. After averaging just over 21.5 points per game, first-year offensive coordinator Brennan Marion's Go-Go scheme needs a reboot. They rank No. 114 in FBS with a 52-point game against FCS opponent Weber State boosting that effort.

Wilson has the possibility to face his former team in three weeks. The younger brother of New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson will try to turn up the offensive output for the Buffs.

Colorado hosts No. 12 Texas Tech on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX).