K-State Turns to Dillon Duff for His First Snaps: Colorado Has No Excuse Not to Win at Folsom Today

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RF Sports Radio branded title card with Colorado Buffaloes logo: Today, Kansas State at Colorado, 1 p.m. CT at Folsom Field

By Cam Sutton, RF Sports Radio Colorado voice

Buffs fans, if you have been waiting for a break, here it is. Kansas State is coming to Boulder with a quarterback who has never taken a college snap. Colorado is 0-4 in the Big 12. If not today, when?

The facts

Kansas State (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) plays at Colorado (2-5, 0-4) at 1 p.m. Central at Folsom Field on TNT, per Yahoo Sports. The Wildcats will start sophomore Dillon Duff, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel as reported by Yahoo, and it will be his first action since arriving in Manhattan. Avery Johnson is out for a second straight game, Jacob Knuth is doubtful with an ankle injury, and Blake Barnett is also dealing with an injury.

Colorado lost 57-24 at Oklahoma State last week after leading 24-23 in the first half, per Sports Illustrated. Kansas State lost 28-17 to Arizona State. The Wildcats have won the last two meetings, including 24-14 last season, per SI.

Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson has thrown for 979 yards and six touchdowns, and receiver Joseph Williams leads the team with 46 catches for 643 yards and five touchdowns, including a career-best 135 yards against Oklahoma State, per SI. SI also notes Kansas State has averaged more than 200 rushing yards per game. Yahoo reports Colorado is the only Big 12 team without a conference win and that Deion Sanders is hearing it from the fan base in his fourth season.

Yahoo's forecast calls for 58 degrees, clouds and a 44 percent chance of rain.

RF Sports Radio's take (opinion)

My take: this is a must-win in every way a game can be. Not for the standings, that ship sailed. For the program's pride, for recruiting and for Coach Prime's credibility. Losing to a team whose quarterback is making his first college start would be a new low.

Here is the blueprint. K-State is going to run the ball, because what else can you do with a first-time starter? Colorado's defense fell apart in the second half last week in Stillwater. Load the box, make Duff beat you through the air, and see if a sophomore can handle Folsom on a cool, possibly rainy afternoon.

On offense, keep it simple. Wilson to Williams has been the one thing that works. Feed it early and avoid turnovers, which have killed this team all season, per SI.

I am not predicting a blowout. I am saying there are no more excuses. If Colorado can not beat this version of Kansas State at home, the conversation around this program gets very loud, very fast.

What to watch next

Watch Duff's first two series and Colorado's run defense in the third quarter. For our earlier look at K-State's quarterback mess, read our Oct. 30 K-State quarterback column, and follow the Buffs on our Colorado Football page.

Radio question: is today a must-win for Deion Sanders, or does the bigger picture matter more than one November result?

Sources: Yahoo Sports - Kansas State Wildcats have reportedly named starter against Colorado Buffaloes; Sports Illustrated - Colorado Buffaloes vs. Kansas State Wildcats: final preview and prediction.

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