The Basics

Teams: Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-0, 1-0) vs. Colorado Buffaloes (2-2, 0-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 @ 6:30 p.m.
Location: Folsom Field | Boulder, Colorado
TV & Streaming: FOX
Line: Texas Tech -13.5 Open at -15.5

Colorado and Prime Time enter the fold and I am significantly less confident than I was heading into the Sam Houston game. Significantly.

Colorado’s offensive coordinator is Brennan Marion who engineered the go-go offense, which is supposed to be very fast, lots of misdirection and does lean on the running game quite a bit. There’s going to be some triple-option things and the attempt is for big passing plays.

Defensive coordinator is Chris Marve and the more I do this the more I think that every defense is really running the same things, which is a multiple defense that’s basically a 4-2-5. We’ll get to this later in the week, but the Buffalo defensive line is the best position group for Colorado and it’s not close. They are not huge, but they are talented.

Yo had his first unofficial visit to SMU on Saturday night as the Ponies had to fight like heck to beat Missouri State. This was our first time to do something like this and everything is completely brand new to us. It started with an SMU staffer reaching out to Yo’s high school coach to ask us what games we would like to go to. Yo wanted to go to the Missouri State game because there is another receiver who is a freshman from Kaufman and Yo thought he might play (he did not because it was much closer than expected).

We found our way to their practice facility, which is on the south end zone of the stadium. I told Yo that the last time I was there, I had gone to see Michael Crabtree’s first game as a Red Raider. We had lanyard’s waiting for us and we were asked if we would like to buy the dinner. The game was at 8:00 p.m. so I said yes and it was $20 each.

We went into their team meeting room and it was crowded. Not a seat to be found. Yo and I actually sat on the steps. There was a video and then two assistant coaches came out and talked and gave us the inside scoop on what to expect from the game. We were then ushered to the field where we could watch warm-ups and we did that for an hour. Yo got to see the other kid from Kaufman and then we were moved to our seats. There’s basically a section where all of the recruits sit. It was a fine seat, in the northeast corner of the end zone. Because it was so late, Yo and I went to get our food, thinking it might be a meal, and it was literally a hot dog and a coke. We paid $40 for 2 hot dogs and 2 cokes. Through the entire game, SMU has staffers there who are there to hand out water. Apparently that is free.

We stayed for the entire game, it was much closer than expected, SMU was favored to win by 34. After the game we went into that football complex and Yo went into the SMU locker room, took a photo with Kevin Jennings and the receiver from Kaufman. Yo said that one of the coaches asked if he was that freshman from Kaufman, Yo said yes, and the coach said to keep on doing what he’s doing.

These are some of the things that stood out to me. These are not good or bad things, just interesting.

• SMU had all of these staffers there and not one of them actually talked to us Introduced himself or herself, or talked about the school. Not expecting any sort of treatment, but they did have time to mingle with families.
• Going on an unofficial visit is not necessarily a big thing. Maybe for a coach to reach out to a kid’s high school coach but anyone can go on an unofficial visit.
• There was a really nice kid next to us, he was same age as Yo and he didn’t have an offer or Yo wasn’t sure that he was really being recruited by SMU, but wanted to go to school there. He was on his freshman team, all totally normal things, but was also on an unofficial visit. Just sort of emphasizing the point that it doesn’t have to be a known prospect to take an unofficial visit.
• There were lots of families who were decked out in SMU gear and they had probably committed already or were thinking about committing.

Colorado benched Julian Lewis halfway through the game last week. Lewis went 11 of 16 for 75 yards, while his replacement, Isaac Wilson went 12 of 25 for 156 yards and 1 touchdown. The offense has yet to get going at all for the Buffaloes.

We’re not necessarily keeping up with Oregon State, but since they lost to Texas Tech, they’ve beaten Montana, 52-17, and UTEP, 33-7.

The News:

Texas Tech Football: & Game Notes

Daily Toreador’s Austin Jackson was the first to request and report per an open records request where it was alleged that former volleyball head coach Tony Graystone was accused of physical abuse, medical mistreatment and felony battery:

According to public records obtained by The Daily Toreador, a meeting request was sent to Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt to discuss physical abuse, medical mistreatment and felony battery allegedly committed by former volleyball head coach Tony Graystone, six days before his dismissal.

The meeting request was emailed to Hocutt on Sept. 7 with the subject line “Physical abuse.” Due to FERPA laws, the name and email address of the sender was redacted. The carbon copied email was also redacted.

Obviously, this is a terrible situation and I also realize that these are accusations. Kudos to Jackson for digging in on this story and if you ever wondered why journalism matters, this is it (and student journalism).

Denver Gazette’s Tyler King: Big 12 favorite Texas Tech undefeated but flawed | Colorado lookahead

That was a real question just two weeks ago. But Deion Sanders’ team has dropped two straight, by a combined score of 72-20, and now has an uncertain quarterback question heading into four difficult games. The tough stretch starts Saturday (5:30 p.m. FOX) against the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech is undefeated, but it doesn’t look like a juggernaut that could run through the Big 12 unbeaten and ease into the College Football Playoff.

Texas Tech Football: Romaine recognized as part of Big 12 weekly awards

Red Raider Sports’ Lane Selph: Joey McGuire talks cleaning up Texas Tech’s mistakes, preparing for Colorado, injury updates, plus more

Red Raider Sports’ L. Jordan: Leftwich: Texas Tech’s Red Zone Has Taken a Major Step

The Non-Transcript

Head Coach Joey McGuire:

• Scout Team Players of the Week: DE Amarie Fleming, DT Krush Johnson, WR Imari Jehiel
• Thank the fans again, great atmosphere. About to announce a sellout for the Arizona State game. Excited to get back into Big 12 play. Cash Cleveland and Garrett McGuire have played in Colorado, Clay McGuire as well. Excited to coach in a great environment. Played well against Baylor, was 13-13 mid-way through the 4th quarter. Expecting a great game against Colorado and have a great week.
• A little bit different, a bit surprised, some of the fiery comments as far as what we didn’t do well. Asked Kenny, Shiel and Mack to give me plays of “what in the H happened”. We had 3 on special teams, had a 15-yard penalty, some throws, some day-1 installs that we missed on. Same thing on defense. Wanted to make sure that we burned 2 timeouts on operation of the game. Not going to criticize a player or coach and not take ownership on that. Our biggest thing is to take practice to the game. The touchdown we gave up we were in cover-3, and you are guaranteed a post-safety and should have been an interception rather than a touchdown. Let’s not get in a situation where we have to respond.
• Kickers have been elite, Stone and Karrol, have gone back-to-back special teams players of the week. we have had big returns and see J’Koby in more Big 12 play. Have guys who are pressing and trying to get a return. We are playing some young guys on special teams. That is going to be a big weapon on Saturday and will be aggressive.
• Everyone in the country wants to start fast and be the most excited team to play. Are you going to execute the plays you’ve repped. Just do what you do in practice. Not perfect. Don’t think you need to do more than what you are supposed to do. We thought that quarterback was going to throw a low arm angle with an RPO and we played it and he had done that previously. Austin was where he needed to be by zone. The message is do exactly what you are asked to do.
• We’re expecting and preparing for both quarterbacks. The offense doesn’t change that much. Their OC finds a way to run the football. He rushed for 262 yards a game last year as a head coach, does a great job of adding backs. Going to get hard play action passes. Being on top of routes will be big this week.
• I do feel that we have a good defense, like to defer and playing well in the 2nd half. In every game we’ve won the middle 8. We just have to execute at a higher level. It is simple to say, but need to catch the catchable balls.
• When I talk about aggression I talk about taking shots down the field, I think those interceptions were putting the ball in harm’s way, and taking a shot down the field and that’s what needs to be eliminated. Some of it comes with experience. Need to go out and perform. Need to get to him to understand to go through progression and where to go with the ball if the first read isn’t open.
• I usually don’t talk to anyone during the week, I really appreciate him and his friendship. got to see him and Bucky, Deion’s oldest son, at media days. Listening to his post-game, they feel like they are a better team and can understand that.
• We’ve played well on the road, and that’s the deal. We ought to be excited. The biggest thing is to play good defense and take hte ball away. When you create turnovers in bunches it carries over. Need to find a way to start better. Defensively we are giving up some yards, right now we are at the same marks last year, had 10 sacks last year, but it is turnovers, had 9 last year, and 6 this year.
• J’Koby is playing really well, wants to perform. A guy like that, just finding ways to get him the football. Going into Big 12 play, but these are the most important games. Need to put best returner out there.
• I don’t know how many guys who have played there. Shiel, Make and Kenny have never played there. Do get some more talk through’s and be ready game-wise.
• Our rookies are playing well, Lee Hunter had 4 tackles. First text was from Mahomes, and was said that at least one of ouwn guys. Have gotten some cool pictures from being at games. Listening to Jacob, he played his tail off and he’s talking about playing better to win. Proud of all of the guys, this only helps us and they understand what they are going to get out of our guys.
• Expecting Brice and Davin to start, expecting Amier to start. The head trainer does such a great job of following the protocol of the Big 12 injury report. I feel good about Miquel Dingle, Oliver Miles, Harrison-Pilot, Terrance Carter, Amier Boyd,
• Harrison-Pilot and Hampton, Brock almost blocked a punt, that would have been Oliver Miles. Getting those guys back, they are some of our best special teams players. Amier does as well.
• Howard Sampson, a couple of plays where he gets over his toes. The Houston game he was expecting help, maybe could have been more. I don’t know what he recorded. Howard has not been 100% because of the hit he took in Houston. Jacob Ponton has played better since Oregon State.
• Will Hammond, Sheridan had said that Will said it. The quarterbacks go with Mack, I really didn’t see him but, talking to Louis Vasquez, no one really cares, you are here to perform. Said this on tell the truth Sunday. If you want to play this level at a high level, you are here to perform. He is a mature guy and maturing on and off the field and is focusing on getting better.

AI summary the two coordinators:

• Defensive Coordinator Shiel Wood [25:35]
  Impact Plays & Performance: Shiel Wood noted how remarkable linebackers’ performance was during the game, calling Austin’s two pick-sixes a “neat experience” and shocking moment [25:40]. He also praised pass rusher Leamian Gayton for earning two sacks by capitalizing on solid pass rushes [25:51].
• Areas for Improvement: Heading into Big 12 play, the defense aims to focus on assignment consistency, disciplined eyes, better ball leverage, cohesive unit pass rushing, and situational execution [26:12].
• Linebacker Depth & Safety Rotation: He praised Brock Gowlas’ progress since joining the program and emphasized the value of rotating four inside linebackers to keep players fresh [27:55]. He also expects to rotate all three safeties regularly, with BJ taking on significant snap volume across two roles [29:46].
• Breakdown Correction: Regarding a touchdown allowed on a 1st & 30 play, Wood reiterated Coach McGuire’s point that the defense should have ended up with an interception rather than giving up a touchdown [30:18].
• Preparing for Colorado: He highlighted that Colorado wants to run downhill straight at the defense while mixing in perimeter plays to skilled receivers [27:04].
• Offensive Coordinator Mack Leftwich [38:11]
  Red Zone Efficiency: Leftwich noted that red zone offense has been a major positive since Week 1 [38:41]. Aside from one turnover self-inflicted by a forced pass, the team has executed efficiently near the goal line [38:54].
• Quarterback Discussions & Decision Making: Addressing QB Will Hammond’s interceptions and near-picks, Leftwich explained that the mistakes were not due to inaccuracy, but rather being over-aggressive or “greedy” [41:03]. He works with Will by deconstructing what he sees on film to strike a balance between calculated aggression and checking down [39:37].
• Running Back Rotation & O-Line: Cam Dickey and Jacobe Williams have established themselves as the top two running backs [41:48]. Leftwich pointed out that Dickey has taken a larger workload recently simply by being the “hot hand” and running consistently well [46:47]. He also commended the offensive line’s performance, noting they surpassed 200 rushing yards at 6.3 yards per carry without allowing a sack [42:39].
• Tight End Replacements: With Terence Carter in and out of the lineup, Leftwich praised “Moose” Ludwig and Jed Carpenter for stepping up and making reliable plays [45:31].
• Scouting Colorado’s Defense: Leftwich noted Colorado’s speed and physical man-to-man defense on tape, mentioning that they create significant tackles for loss and sacks while blending in enough zone coverage to remain unpredictable [44:46].

The Ride:

This Week in the Big 12 & National Games of the Week

Big 12 Game of the Week: I’m writing this as of Sunday afternoon and West Virginia is favored by 1.5, BYU is favored by 6.5, Arizona State by 4, and Arizona by 7. The rest of the game spreads are by double-digits.

UCF @ Houston 10/3 @ 11:00 am on ESPN2
Middle Tennessee @ Kansas 10/3 @ 11:00 am on ESPNU
BYU @ TCU 10/3 @ 6:00 am on ESPN
Texas Tech @ Colorado 10/3 @ 6:30 pm on FOX
Baylor @ Arizona State 10/3 @ 9:30 pm on ESPN
Cincinnati @ Arizona 10/3 @ 10:00 pm on FOX

National Games of the Week: Kamario Taylor has been a ton of fun to watch and he seems like he’s dedicated to MIssissippi State. You love to see it. The rest of the national games are a bit “meh” for me. Fans may be cheering for Washington to absolutely level after USC’s Desman Stephens II egregious late hit on Dante Moore.

Alabama @ Mississippi State 10/3 @ 11:00 am on ABC
Ohio State @ Iowa 10/3 @ 2:30 pm on CBS
Florida @ Missouri 10/3 @ 2:30 pm on ABC
Washington @ USC 10/3 @ 6:30 pm on NBC

Education

Why The Run Game Is More Complex Than You Think