ROUNDTABLE: Northwestern vs. Colorado predictions
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The 1-0 Northwestern Wildcats welcome coach Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes to Evanston for their final game in Martin Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Charlie Jacobs (16-10 Northwestern)
Blurb: While South Dakota State wasn’t an easy game and is one of the best FCS programs, watching what other Power Four schools have been doing to FCS schools has made me a bit weary. It is true that Michael Kilbane, Migo Jackson and Ezomo Oratokhai all didn’t play vs the Jackrabbits and are probably in line to start against Colorado, but the Buffaloes have been damn impressive. Their Week 1 win over Georgia Tech was an incredible defensive showing. Julian Lewis showed his youth in that game, but put together a masterful drive to take the lead. Alberto Mendoza was able to move the ball against the Buffaloes, but they didn’t allow a single touchdown in that game outside of a kick return TD. Georgia Tech may not be as good as expected or compared to the last two seasons, but the bend-not-break ability of that Colorado defense combined with the improved ground game seems like it could be a problem, especially considering the yardage given up by Northwestern. Yes, the Wildcats were good at preventing touchdowns, but South Dakota State got to the red zone fairly easily for most of that night. The NU offense looked more explosive than last year, especially after Jackson Carsello went down (which seems counterintuitive), but if the Buffaloes defense looks like it did in Atlanta, then it could be a long night for the Wildcats.
With all that being said, give me Northwestern. The weather forecast looks like it’ll be an ugly game, and the Wildcats know how to win those games.
Whitley Williams (21-17 Colorado)
Blurb: The Colorado Buffaloes’ identity is undeniably grit.
Coach Prime overhauled the roster this offseason, bringing in over 40 transfers. Many are overlooked players from smaller schools with a chip on their shoulder.
In week one, Colorado got revenge against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets with a resilient road win. Although 18-year old QB Julian Lewis struggled to find his rhythm through the first three quarters, he led a miraculous 75-yard touchdown drive with less than two minutes remaining. Then, a few plays later, NFL defensive back prospect Boo Carter flashed his elite athleticism, blocking a potential game-winning field goal attempt to seal the victory.
Colorado is a well-coached, physical football team. Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense is a violent, run-first attack built around misdirection. Neither Georgia Tech nor Weber State found an answer for their rushing attack, led by Micah Welch (better known as the bowling ball). Lewis opened up the passing game in week two against Weber State, finishing with a career high of 366 yards and five total TDs before clocking out early in the blowout win. Defensively, Chris Marve’s unit held Georgia Tech without an offensive touchdown and earned Big 12’s Defensive Line of the Week honors.
Now, two creative offensive minds will face off in Evanston. Chip Kelly’s pro style offense features jet motion, gadget plays, a three-headed backfield and quarterback Aidan Chiles’ ability to make plays on the ground.
Colorado is coming to town in style, with two wins and momentum. This game will be won in the trenches, and the Wildcats will face an awesome test.
Ascher Levin (24-14 Northwestern)
Blurb: After an early bye week, Northwestern returns home to host a 2-0 Colorado team. The Buffaloes narrowly beat Georgia Tech 14-13 in Week 1 before cruising past FCS opponent Weber State.
Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis struggled against Georgia Tech, throwing for just 124 yards, before posting 366 yards against Weber State. With the FCS matchup providing limited insight, I’m putting more weight on his Week 1 performance and expect Northwestern’s defense to have a strong showing. The ‘Cats will also have to deal with Colorado pass rusher Lamont Lester Jr., who recorded nine sacks at Monmouth last season and already has four this year. Northwestern tackles Grant Seagren and Deuce McGuire will have their hands full.
On the other side, there’s plenty to like about Northwestern’s offense with Aidan Chiles at quarterback and Chip Kelly calling the plays. NU has three talented running backs, a strong group of receivers led by Griffin Wilde and two strong tight ends.
I expect Northwestern to control the game with its run game, wear down Colorado and pull away for a 24-14 victory.
Calvin Kaplan (13-10 Northwestern)
Blurb: With rain looming in the Saturday evening forecast, Northwestern’s matchup against Colorado projects to be a run-first slog, with both teams relying on their numerous options out of the backfield. Wildcat fans have quickly gotten familiar with the group of Caleb Komolafe, Gavin Sawchuk and Joseph Himon II, but the Buffaloes have their own powerful backfield trio, led by Micah Welch, Damian Henderson II and JaQuail Smith.
I expect the Wildcats to eke this one out for a few reasons. First and foremost, the likely return of Ezomo Oratokhai should give a huge advantage to a battered o-line that was tested repeatedly against the Jackrabbits in Week 1. On defense, Michael Kilbane’s expected comeback could be a big boost to an inconsistent pass-rush and run-stuffing unit. Finally, the rushing upside offered by Aidan Chiles gives the Wildcats a superior dual-threat option to Colorado signal-caller Julian Lewis, who doesn’t have nearly as much explosiveness on the ground.
Chiles wasn’t completely consistent against SDSU, but he showed big-play ability and ran a well-designed offensive game plan, both of which the ‘Cats have largely lacked for many years. Northwestern is ready for Prime Time.
Deolu Akingbade (27-17 Northwestern)
Blurb: The game should be closer than our predictions suggest, but Northwestern remains the heavy favorite to take a Week 3 win over Colorado.
Part of it is that Colorado, despite the cocksure posturing of head coach Deion Sanders, wasn’t very convincing against their sole Power Four opponent, Georgia Tech. Against the Yellowjackets in Week 1, former five-star quarterback Julian Lewis managed just 14 completions on 27 attempts for 157 passing yards and a score. He’s surrounded by a receiving room led by Danny Scudero, who, despite leading the FBS in receiving yards in 2025, has managed just six receptions for 39 yards across two outings.
Colorado’s bruising, run-first offense is legit; Micah Welch has averaged 6.3 yards per carry for 164 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The offense also bounced from an unconvincing road win against Georgia Tech to a dominant victory over FCS team Weber State, and the defense, led by Gideon Lampron and Boo Carter, is a force to be reckoned with. However, Colorado looks a game away from being a game away: having the raw talent but none of the polish or proven results to stake its claim as a true dark horse in the Big 12.
It’ll take a lot of effort not to switch back and forth from this game to the return of Lane Kiffin at Oxford, M.S., but if you stick around, Northwestern should pull off a tense-but-solid win over Coach Prime and the Buffaloes.
Adam Sutro (27-20 Northwestern)
Blurb: The ‘Cats got off to a hot start in their 34-18 victory over South Dakota State, and I expect that momentum to continue into the ‘Cats’ final game at Martin Stadium.
NU looked great in its season opener, with a new-look, Chip Kelly-led offense that gained three yards of shy of 500 yards. Aidan Chiles had a strong presence in his Wildcat debut, throwing for 273 yards and a touchdown, while three different NU running backs carried the ball for over 45 yards.
Meanwhile, despite the big-name reputation of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, a.k.a. Prime Time, since Sanders took over the program in 2023, his Buffaloes have struggled against Power Four opponents like the Wildcats. Colorado is 12-21 against such opponents since 2023… that’s no great mark.
I think Northwestern has a big day on the ground and advances to 2-0, before heading to Bloomington for its first real test of the season.
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