While Colorado spent the past week resting and getting healthy with a much-needed bye, Utah didn't have the same luxury. The Utes played a physical and emotional rivalry game against BYU, and days later, they are still feeling the aftereffects.
Utah star QB Devon Dampier got dinged up in last week's loss to BYU, and his status is up in the air for this weekend's game against Colorado. If Dampier is unable to go, Utah would turn to freshman Byrd Ficklin to make his first career start:
Whittingham said "it's a distinct possibility" that Byrd Ficklin will get the start this week based on Devon Dampier's health. But he didn't provide any information other than everyone will see on the availability report this week.
— Josh Furlong (@JFurKSL) October 20, 2025
Dampier missing the game would be a significant development for both teams. The New Mexico transfer is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. He has given opposing defenses fits with his dual-threat ability this year. He ranks 10th in the country in QBR, throwing for 1375 yards with 13 touchdowns to four interceptions. He's added 442 yards and four more touchdowns on the ground.
Ficklin is a good player, but he's a true freshman and not nearly as far along in his development as Dampier. It's telling that the former 3-star quickly became Dampier's top backup, but in a game the Buffaloes really need to win, going up against a freshman QB making his first collegiate start would be a huge break.
Devon Dampier's injury could be the break Colorado needs to pull the road upset
The oddsmakers don't have much faith that Deion Sanders can lead Colorado to a road win in Salt Lake City on Saturday night. As of Tuesday morning, even with Dampier's status up in the air, Utah is listed as a 13.5-point favorite on FanDuel.
Utah's physicality will be a big test for Colorado up front on both sides of the ball, but the Buffaloes gained some much-needed momentum ahead of the bye week by knocking off then-No. 22 Iowa State in Boulder.
Coach Prime had said for weeks that Colorado was "close" to a breakthrough. They got that against the Cyclones, but still sit at just 3-4 with most still expecting them to fall short of bowl eligibility. An upset road win over Utah would dramatically shift those expectations by the national media and put Colorado in a strong spot to get to six wins for postseason eligibility.
Along with holding serve at home against Arizona and Arizona State, the Buffs need to steal a road game against Utah, West Virginia, or Kansas State to get to six wins. Getting that out of the way this week would be huge.