Fresh off a bye, the Buffaloes are back in a gauntlet of a Big 12 schedule with the biggest question. Who will start at quarterback when they take on No. 11 Utah?
Colorado (2-3, 0-2 Big 12) opened their season with five-star Julian “JuJu” Lewis, who started 2-0. Since then, offensive disarray and just three touchdowns in three games have led to a quarterback change.
Yet after Isaac Wilson threw three interceptions in a loss to No. 10 Texas Tech, they may be back at the drawing board to find a starter for Saturday. With that being the primary question of the bye week, here’s how the room shakes out for offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.
Isaac Wilson
In his lone start this season, Wilson showed he wasn’t afraid to push the ball downfield.
As a self-described “gunslinger,” he will put the offense in position to score and try to get it to his receivers. Unfortunately, Wilson has had a live-by-the-gun, die-by-the-gun career, with turnovers being a recurring issue.
This season, he has thrown 40-for-71, 443 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Pros: Playing against his former team, the Utes, he will have an advantage in knowing the scheme he is going against. Wilson’s veteran presence and ability to command the offense stood out in his brief action this season.
Wilson plays with zero fear and does not get uncomfortable. He’s also shown the ability to create plays with his legs and is a capable but not flashy runner.
Cons: The turnover bug has been a constant issue with him going back to his time at Utah. Wilson himself has said sometimes he tries to create plays too much and forces things when he shouldn’t.
Carelessness with the football is the biggest reason his job was in question after the loss to the Red Raiders.
Julian Lewis
Entering the season, all of Buff Nation and the coaching staff were behind the young QB in his second season. While the offense fell stagnant under his watch at first, Lewis potentially has the highest upside of anyone in the room.
His timidness throwing downfield and struggles in big moments caused the change; however, Lewis is still more than capable of leading the Buffs again. After his benching, it’ll be interesting to see how the coaching staff would approach putting confidence back in their five-star.
This season he’s completed 61-for-95, 733 yards, six touchdowns, two interceptions and one rushing touchdown as the starter.
Pros: Outside of his two-interception performance against Northwestern, he has done a solid job of protecting the football. There’s no doubt Lewis is capable of lighting up the scoreboard (like against Weber State), and it makes sense to have a big money investment on the field.
Cons: Pulling an 18-year-old Lewis for a game and a half could have an effect on his confidence, as it would for any player in his situation. How he meshes and asserts himself as the leader is something to watch if he were to get a second chance.
Kaneal Sweetwyne
The big wildcard for the Buffs is true freshman Sweetwyne, who has shown flashes in practice and in limited action. This week, receiver Quanell Farrakhan Jr. showed a jersey change to No. 5 on his Instagram story, meaning his No. 14 will only be on Sweetwyne. That could mean the youngest of the trio is in action this weekend.
In two appearances during garbage time, he went 8-for-12, 42 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and a rushed one in.
Pros: If the coaching staff is out on both Wilson and Lewis, letting the young gun develop for seven games is always an option. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound QB can use his legs in the Go-Go offense and can fire a nice deep ball.
The Buffs also get the chance to see if they can rely on Sweetwyne for the future.
Cons: Playing the freshman could signal to an elite defense that the staff is out on the season. If Sweetwyne were to come in and exhibit the same struggles as his teammates, his confidence could take a dip in his early career.
The Buffs will kick off against Utah at 8:15 p.m. MT (ESPN) and will reveal their hand then.
Coaches Mentioned
