Micah Welch, Damian Henderson II, JaQuail Smith and DeKalon Taylor all carried the ball at Georgia Tech, with each gaining at least 22 yards. Colorado finished with 183 net rushing yards on 49 attempts, spreading the production instead of asking one back to sustain the offense. That work helped the Buffaloes escape Atlanta with a 14-13 win after Julian Lewis threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Williams with 37 seconds left and Boo Carter blocked Georgia Tech’s ensuing field-goal attempt.
The comeback was a thrill. The more repeatable development was Colorado moving people and running the ball with multiple backs. Saturday’s home opener against Weber State should show whether that was the beginning of an offensive identity or simply one encouraging night.
Let the four-back rotation control the game
Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense uses tempo and backfield spacing while asking the line to play vertically and north-to-south. That approach now meets a defense with an obvious vulnerability. Weber State allowed 368 rushing yards in a 47-42 loss at Southern Utah.
Colorado therefore should not need Lewis to rescue another game in its final minute. Welch, Henderson, Smith and Taylor can make the afternoon easier by keeping the offense ahead of the chains, giving Marion his full menu and forcing Weber State to keep tackling fresh runners. Sustained production from all four would matter more than one spectacular rushing total because it would suggest the depth and line play can survive substitutions and an entire game plan.
That is especially useful for Lewis. He finished the opener 14-of-27 for 124 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, but he was only 10-of-21 for 64 yards before Colorado’s last possession. On the decisive 75-yard series, he completed 4 of 6 passes for 60 yards. The finish showed composure; the preceding three quarters left the larger question intact.
Against Weber State, watch whether Lewis can operate efficiently before urgency simplifies the task. A productive running game should give him manageable downs and repeated chances to execute Marion’s offense on schedule. Colorado does not need inflated passing numbers. It needs Lewis to turn one excellent drive into steadier decisions across four quarters.
Keep the disruption out of special teams
Fan Watch gives Colorado a 97.8% chance to win. The game kicks off Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Mountain on ESPN+, and the real question is how quickly and firmly Colorado takes control.
Weber State does have one credible way to make the afternoon uncomfortable. The Wildcats lead the FCS with three blocked kicks through two games, two extra points against Northern Colorado and a punt against Southern Utah. Colorado just benefited from Carter’s game-ending block in Atlanta; it should understand better than most favorites how one special-teams snap can overturn the broader flow of a game.
Colorado’s defense should also keep Weber State from creating extra pressure on special teams. Colorado held Georgia Tech to 51 rushing yards on 30 carries, although the Yellow Jackets still reached field-goal range on their final possession. The individual production was encouraging too. Liona Lefau and Gideon Lampron made seven tackles apiece, while Lamont Lester Jr. supplied all three Colorado sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Another controlled performance would strengthen the case that the reconstructed front can dictate games rather than merely survive them.
Use the rare home window
The Atlanta result deserves some perspective. Colorado entered as a 6.5-point underdog after being picked 15th in the 16-team Big 12 and receiving no votes in either major preseason poll. Winning on the road beat those expectations, but one point and one game cannot establish a durable rebound.
Weber State is Colorado’s only home opponent in its first four games; trips to Northwestern and Baylor follow. That makes Saturday Colorado’s best chance to settle its new offense before two more road games, not a reason to chase style points. Colorado should establish the run early, let Lewis command ordinary game situations and keep special teams uneventful.
There is no outside game worth borrowing attention from this week. The full set of Colorado probabilities is available in the interactive guide, with an explanation of the simulation in the methodology. The reason to watch is all in Boulder. Can four backs turn last week’s breakthrough into sustained control, and can Lewis command an entire afternoon without needing one final drive to rescue it?