Five reasons Colorado football will fall short against TCU

Fresh off a heartbreaking loss to Arizona State, TCU hosts Colorado for the first time since the Buffaloes upset them to begin the 2023 season.

Now they have a chance to get revenge for a media cycle that saw their team's tough loss plastered around national media outlets everywhere. The Horned Frogs can't risk another loss in the Big 12, so here's what they need to go right to send the Buffaloes spiraling to 2-4.

Part-time quarterback, part-time surgeon

Colorado has yet to face a passing attack as good as TCU's, and the reason for the Horned Frogs' success lies solely on the shoulders of Hoover. The team throws as much as any Power 4 team in the country, averaging 35 attempts per game, and yet Hoover has only thrown four interceptions and completes 67% of his passes. He's diced up defenses across the country and makes great decisions most of the time, if that contiues the Buffaloes could be in for a world of hurt.

You gonna finish that?

I've documented the Buffaloes' second-half struggles well, but the fact of the matter is that this team has not played a full game in 2025. Colorado has struggled to adapt to defenses once they figure them out and has floundered late in games. TCU, which has been a team that's put up its fair share of lackluster second halves in 2025, needs to outlast Colorado. They've proved they can do it against SMU, while Colorado hasn't, it's as simple as that.

A falling grade

While TCU runs the air raid offense, that doesn't mean their run game is a weak point. Their two lead backs, Kevorian Barnes and Trent Battle, average over six yards per carry. Colorado has struggled to stop the run, giving up an average of 197 rushing yards per game, a mark that has them ranked as the No. 123 best run defense in the nation. TCU has the backs to take advantage of an injured and struggling Colorado front.

There's a Horned Frog down there somewhere

Another aspect that makes TCU's passing game so excellent is the weapons they have outside. After losing three of Hoover's best pass catchers to the NFL last season, the Horned Frogs wasted no time finding perfect replacements. Wideouts Eric McAlister and Jordan Dwyer are emerging stars in the conference and can take the top off of any defense in the blink of an eye. Colorado's secondary hasn't shown the ability to stop a true downfield passing game yet, and they won't have an easy time stopping the Horned Frogs' weapons.

A long way from home

Colorado has only played one road game this season, but they looked rattled by the Houston atmosphere, especially in critical moments. They were starting Ryan Staub, a backup quarterback that we have not seen since, but it applied everywhere from the offensive line to the secondary. TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium is one of the best atmospheres in the conference, and it'll be tough for a Colorado team to keep up with the ruckus crowd.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football vs. TCU: Reasons the Buffs could lose in Fort Worth