The collective angst of the fan bases of the teams squaring off in Waco, Texas, will be off the charts.
This was predictable before the season, too.
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When Colorado meets Baylor on Saturday (10 a.m. ESPN2) to begin Big 12 play, it is not hyperbole to say this game may determine how the rest of the fall looks for both programs.
The Buffaloes and Bears each enter at 2-1, a reasonable expectation for both after nonconference play.
In a 2026 season that will tell a lot about the future of the Deion Sanders era, CU is coming off an embarrassing 41-7 loss at Northwestern that removed any goodwill from a 2-0 start.
Similarly, coach Dave Aranda is in a make-or-break season with Baylor that started with a 17-16 loss against Auburn before back-to-back comfortable wins against lesser opponents Prairie View A&M and Louisiana Tech.
McLane Stadium is visible prior to an NCAA college football game between Baylor and Utah Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
All this to say: both the Buffs and Bears desperately need a win.
Here’s what you need to know about Baylor:
Last time out
It’s hard to know what to make of the Bears’ 36-19 win over Louisiana Tech last weekend at McLane Stadium.
Baylor was without starting quarterback DJ Lagway, who missed a second straight game with an ankle injury. Aranda said Monday that Lagway had “the green light” to return to practice and play Saturday vs. the Buffs.
Backup quarterback Nate Bennett was solid once again starting in place of Lagway, completing 21 of 24 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns, picking up a lackluster rushing attack that averaged under 4 yards per carry on more than 40 attempts.
Defensively, the Bears allowed Louisiana Tech to control the time of possession battle. The Bulldogs did well to gain over 360 yards in the game, but two turnovers and three failed fourth-down conversions killed any real chance to keep the game close. A pair of late touchdowns made the final score look closer than it felt.
On offense
All eyes will be on Lagway on the practice field in Waco this week.
While he appears set to return, it’s still difficult to assume the Florida transfer will be back to 100%.
The talented quarterback was solid in his debut, throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns. But he needed 54 attempts (27 completions for a 50% rate) to do so. Lagway also had a pair of turnovers, something that ultimately led him to leave the SEC. Both his fumble and interception came on the Auburn side of the field.
Baylor hoped to have a positive rushing attack to go with Lagway as veteran Dawson Pendergrass entered the season as the lead running back, but he’s only averaged 3.6 yards per carry (203 yards on 56 attempts) to go with just one touchdown through three weeks.
Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass (35) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Out wide is where the Bears may have an advantage. Gavin Freeman leads all Big 12 players with 29 receptions for 305 yards and one touchdown.
There is also a pair of familiar wide receivers as former Buff Dre’lon Miller and former Colorado State player Louis Brown IV could be featured.
On defense
The Baylor defense through three weeks is deceiving on the stat sheet.
The Bears are one of five Big 12 teams that have allowed fewer than 15 points per game, but they rank in the bottom half of the conference in both total yards and rushing yards allowed per game (ninth in each).
Not having veteran safety Jacob Redding, who is out for the season with a knee injury, definitely hurts. But Micah Gifford has played well in the secondary, and linebacker Travion Barnes leads the team with 18 tackles.
There will likely be plenty of opportunities for the CU offense, particularly the run game, to get a rhythm going against this Baylor defense.
The Baylor Bears file
Record: 2-1
Head coach: Dave Aranda (7th season, 38-38 record)
Offensive coordinator: Jake Spavital (3rd season)
Defensive coordinator: Joe Klanderman (1st season)
Names to know: QB DJ Lagway, RB Dawson Pendergrass, WR Gavin Freeman, WR Jayden McGowan, DE Garrick Ponder, LB Travion Barnes, DB Micah Gifford
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (ESPN2)
Betting line: Colorado +10 (BetMGM)