Coach Prime's temporary QB solution may have created a long-term problem for Colorado

Coach Prime said in the lead-up to Colorado's Week 2 matchup against Delaware that freshman QB Julian Lewis would play, no matter how the game was going. It seemed like an opportunity for the freshman phenom to continue his push to overtake Kaidon Salter in their two-man QB competition from fall camp.

Salter and the offense stalled too often in a Week 1 loss to Georgia Tech. What Deion Sanders failed to mention is that it was really a three-man QB competition, and the spark he was searching for offensively would come from redshirt sophomore Ryan Staub.

Staub was the third man up on Saturday. Salter started, playing the first two drives and leading the Buffs to 10 points. Lewis took over in series three and four, but couldn't provide the immediate spark the offense was looking for. It's important to remember with Lewis that he is a true freshman, and however talented he undeniably is, it's never a seamless transition. These things take time.

The experience and continuity factor should make it less surprising that Staub entered the game and immediately played well. Staub is now in his third season in the Colorado offense, sitting and learning behind Shedeur Sanders the last two seasons.

Staub came in on the fifth offensive series of the afternoon, quickly connecting with Joseph Williams for a 31-yard gain before throwing a touchdown pass to Dekalon Taylor to get the Buffs into the endzone right before halftime.

Staub picked up where he left off in the third quarter, hitting Brown for a 71-yard touchdown to give Colorado some serious breathing room.

Staub's final stat line was an impressive 7-of-10 passing for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The game opened with Colorado fans dreaming of Julian Lewis and the future. Staub just threw a monkey wrench into the present and the future.

Ryan Staub just made the QB outlook murky for Deion Sanders

It's clear that Coach Prime wanted more out of the QB position, particularly with the downfield passing game, than Colorado got out of Kaidon Salter a week ago. But what looked like a clear QB picture for the Buffaloes for this season and the future just got a whole lot murkier.

It seems obvious that Staub will get the start next week against Houston, though Sanders was non-committal on what they'll do moving forward.

“I know exactly how I’m gonna handle the Quarterback situation, I’m not gonna say it," Coach Prime said.

The outlook for the present and the future seemed well written heading into the season. But what you write down in football should always be with a pencil.

Salter, the senior, was going to be the guy this season while Lewis, the freshman, sat back, learned, and picked up snaps here and there to gain valuable game reps and experience. The job would be Lewis's in 2026 and beyond.

But with Staub's emergence, a lot has changed. Staub will still have two seasons of eligibility remaining after this season, meaning it's no longer a guarantee that the job will be handed to Lewis next season.

How patient will the blue-chipper be in Boulder? That might be the million-dollar question. For now, all Coach Prime can do is play the QB who gives his team the best chance to win football games. Right now, that guy looks to be Ryan Staub.