Who is Colorado playing today? Previewing major prove-it game for Buffs' title chances

Colorado needs a win to keep their Big 12 title hopes alive
Colorado needs a win to keep their Big 12 title hopes alive / Dustin Bradford/GettyImages
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The Colorado Buffaloes are returning to action in Week 11 for a pivotal game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

After claiming victory during the bye week due to their primary Big 12 rivals at the top of the standing losing (ironically in part, thanks to Texas Tech), the Buffs' expectations are at the highest in the Coach Prime era.

CU is ranked No. 20 in the first installment of the 12-team playoff format's College Football Playoff Rankings. They need to run the table to be considered for the Big-12 conference game in December and, at least, a walk-in berth for the FCS playoffs.

Latest Big-12 Conference title scenario

The Colorado Buffaloes are currently tied for second with a conference record of 4-1, one game back of the undefeated BYU Cougars. Previously undefeated Iowa State holds an identical 4-1 record but holds the tiebreaker based on one the greater overall win-loss record with a 7-1 record, compared to the Buffs' 6-2.

BYU faces rival Utah this week, while Iowa State plays the Kansas Jayhawks.

Travis Hunter is officially an award finalist

Travis Hunter has been named the finalist for the Paul Hornung Award of the Year.

The award is for the most versatile football player in the country. Joining Hunter will be Louisville's Issac Brown and Tyler Warren of Penn State. The award winner will be named during the Paul Hornung Award dinner in Louisville in March 2025.

You can read the information here.

Scouting Texas Tech

The Red Raiders are coming off an upset win over the Iowa State Cyclones last week. Their overall record is 6-3, and their conference record is 4-2. 

Texas Tech's offense is prolific. They are among the top three in the Big-12 Conference major offensive categories in points per game (1st—36.4), yards per game (2nd—446.9), and passing offense (3rd—282.4). 

A key player for the Red Raiders is RB Tahj Brooks. Brooks has a career year with a 130.9 yards-per-game average, 1,047 yards, and ten rushing touchdowns through eight games. His 4,099 career rushing yards are second most among active rushing leaders.

Another key player is QB Behren Morton. With Morton under center, the Red Raiders have won 12 out of their 15 games. Morton is having a career year, throwing 19 touchdowns and 2,300 yards, with a rating of over 136.

Defensively, the Red Raiders are at their most vulnerable. Their unit is ranked next to last in total defense (462.1) and worst in pass defense (307.2).