Colorado vs. Texas Tech score predictions for Week 5 matchup

Colorado hosts No. 10 Texas Tech for its Big 12 home opener, with the Buffaloes hoping to right the ship after back-to-back Power Four losses.

The key for the Buffs remains the same: stop the self-inflicted wounds. Penalties, turnovers and other mental mistakes have stalled otherwise positive offensive drives. Not to mention, the quarterback play has been less than stellar, leading to Deion Sanders reportedly making a change at the position heading into Saturday's game.

In the last two weeks, only four of 27 offensive drives have resulted in points, and 10 have ended in a turnover, including several on failed fourth-down conversions. The Buffs are the lowest-scoring offense in the Big 12 (21.5 points per game) despite averaging 400 yards per game and ranking in the middle of the conference in total yardage.

Colorado is close to a two-touchdown home underdog against Texas Tech, suggesting a win will be hard to come by. The Buffaloes have the talent to pull off a top-10 upset, but they need to put it all together, especially on offense.

With just a couple of days until kickoff, here are our Buffaloes Wire staff predictions for Colorado's Week 5 matchup vs. Texas Tech.

Ariana's Prediction

While I don't expect Texas Tech to put up many points, the Red Raiders will still win dominantly. Texas Tech does not have the most impressive offense, but their defense is on another level. Especially with how Colorado has struggled offensively against every Power Four team this season, they will not be able to get much going against this defense. Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond will probably turn the ball over once, since he has five interceptions in the first four games, and the short field could give the Buffaloes a chance to get in the end zone. Still, this game won't be competitive. Texas Tech's defense will win the game and force a turnover or two.

Score: Texas Tech 30, Colorado 14

James' Prediction

Colorado can give Texas Tech problems if it gets back to the running game and executes a few deep shots for Isaac Wilson. The Buffaloes need Micah Welch, JaQuail Smith and the offensive line to avoid putting Wilson in constant long-yardage situations. Texas Tech has allowed passing yardage this season, and Colorado needs a big game from Joseph Williams, Quanell Farrakhan Jr. and Kam Perry to have a chance. The Buffaloes should play better at Folsom Field, but Texas Tech, with running backs J'Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey, will control the game.

Score: Texas Tech 41, Colorado 21

Charlie's Prediction

Last week, I thought Texas Tech looked very beatable against Sam Houston, and the Red Raiders are definitely worse than they were a year ago. However, Colorado hasn't shown anything offensively that suggests they can score enough to pull off an upset. Isaac Wilson should help get the Go-Go offense going, but beating Texas Tech requires controlling the clock with the ground game and taking advantage of a quarterback in Will Hammond, who has shown he will turn the ball over. As Colorado knows well, short fields lead to scoring opportunities, and if the Buffs' defense can manufacture a few, CU's offense won't have to do much. Ultimately, I still think Texas Tech is too big of a challenge for this version of Colorado, but it won't be a blowout.

Score: Texas Tech 28, Colorado 17

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado vs. Texas Tech score predictions for Week 5 matchup