Big 12 Football: Colorado has TCU on upset alert in first half

Week 1 of Big 12 football is underway, with some big games around the conference. The biggest of the early slate of games around the Big 12 in Week 1 on Sep. 2 featured head coach Sonny Dykes and the No. 17 ranked TCU Horned Frogs against new head coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes out of the PAC-12.

The matchup between TCU and Colorado is a future look at two Big 12 foes when Sanders and the Buffs leave the PAC-12 in 2024.

Both Colorado and TCU have a lot of new faces for their respective squads. Sanders brought in over 60 transfers to fill out the roster this year. Meanwhile, TCU replaced some of its top producers on offense from last season’s squad, including Heisman runner-up quarterback Max Duggan and first-round NFL Draft pick receiver Quentin Johnston.

TCU also had to replace the reigning Broyles Award winner, offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who left for the Clemson OC job during the offseason.

The reigning National Champion runner-up Horned Frogs were heavy favorites over the Buffaloes in this highly anticipated Week 1 matchup at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Sep. 2. TCU was three-score favorites pre-game over Colorado.

Deion Sanders and Colorado have a top 25 Big 12 football foe, TCU, on upset alert in Week 1

But that didn’t deter Sanders and the Buffs. Colorado came out hot on both sides of the ball, taking a surprising early 7-0 lead in the first quarter against the Horned Frogs. TCU and Colorado traded blows throughout the rest of the first half, eventually leading to a three-point lead for Sanders’ squad heading into the locker room at halftime.

Colorado commanded the time-of-possession battle in the first half, possessing the ball for nearly 20 minutes. Junior quarterback Shedeur Sanders balled out in the first half, putting up 182 of Colorado’s 220 total yards of offense.

Sanders and the Buffs were also helped by nearly 60 penalty yards for the Horned Frogs in the first half and a red zone interception thrown by TCU starting quarterback Chandler Morris.

TCU outpaced Colorado in rushing in the first 30 minutes, with 72 yards on the ground compared to 38 for the Buffs.

Dykes and the Horned Frogs will look to get back on track in the second half in what’s turning out to be a big early-season test against the Buffs.