Texas Tech Facing Unique Scouting Process for Colorado Quarterbacks
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LUBBOCK — The Colorado Buffaloes are similar to the No. 12-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders in that they have used two quarterbacks to some degree through the first stretch of the 2026 season.
Tech head coach Joey McGuire will be the first to tell you, though, that the Red Raiders do not face a "quarterback controversy." Will Hammond is "the guy," and Thomas Castellanos presents unique experience and athleticism that have gotten him opportunities to contribute each week in particular situations.
Colorado, however, has more of the makings of a position competition.
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While former 5-star prospect Julian Lewis has started the first four games for head coach Deion Sanders, multiple reports say Colorado is expecting to switch to junior Isaac Wilson behind center.
Wilson took over last week in Colorado's loss at Baylor to throw for 156 yards on just 12-of-25 completions with a touchdown. Lewis was benched as Colorado faced a 10-3 halftime deficit after he went 11-of-16 for 75 yards and was sacked three times.
"It's a decision that I made because I was trying to get us going," Sanders said Saturday. "That's it. Just based on let's go, we gotta go, we gotta score some points."
The Buffaloes eventually lost 23-13.
Lewis is 61 of 95 through the air for 733 yards this season with six touchdowns and two interceptions. The Buffs are 2-2 and 0-2 in Big 12 play.
"We're expecting and preparing for both quarterbacks," McGuire said in scouting the opposing quarterbacks ahead of Saturday night's game in Boulder. "But the offense doesn't really change that much. The one thing about their [offensive coordinator] that he's consistently done is find a way to run the football."
Colorado is averaging 156.6 rush yards per game, the 13th-most out of 16 Big 12 teams this season.
"The key for us is to come out and stop the run," McGuire said this week.
The Red Raiders, far from their defensive dominance a year ago, have still posted notable efforts along the defensive line. Texas Tech has recorded 10 sacks through the first four games, which matches the pace of the 2025 team.
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Run defense, however, has seen this year's squad allow an average of 94.8 yards per game after only giving up 68.1 yards on the ground last season – far and away the best run defense in the conference, and one of the very best in college football.
For Wilson, the opportunity to start for Colorado this week is something Coach Prime is optimistic about.
"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."
The Buffaloes host the Red Raiders at 6:30 p.m. on FOX this Saturday, Oct. 3.
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