FORT WORTH, Texas — Deion Sanders appreciates every time he returns to Texas. It’s the place he’s called home for many years and the fitting site of his debut as the head coach at Colorado.

But after starting his tenure with consecutive wins in the Lone Star State, Coach Prime and the Buffaloes have lost back-to-back games here, including the Alamo Bowl last season.

When the Buffs face TCU on Saturday (5:30 p.m., FOX), Sanders and his team are hoping to get back to winning ways, not just down south but in the 2025 season, as well. A loss would drop CU to 2-4 overall, marking the worst first half of the season since Coach Prime took over.

Here are five storylines to watch:

Finding offensive consistency

Paging Pat Shurmur. Whatever worked in the first quarter against BYU, get back to that. The first 15 minutes of last Saturday’s game was the best the Buffs offense has looked and came against the best defense they’ve faced. CU allowed quarterback Kaidon Salter to make quick decisions with plenty of run-pass-option plays (RPOs). CU even incorporated “Wildcat” formations with wide receiver Dre’lon Miller taking direct snaps out of the backfield. That creativity and versatility is what the Buffs need to have at all times.

The toughest defensive test yet

Only Oklahoma State has a worse run defense than CU through the first month of the season. TCU presents a different challenge. With arguably the best passing attack in the Big 12, the Horned Frogs will look to attack a Buffs secondary that has struggled in coverage when called upon this season. 

Defensive line injuries

A group that goes seven deep when healthy, the CU defensive tackles will once again be limited to a short rotation due to injuries. The Buffs have already ruled out regulars Tawfiq Thomas and Tavian Coleman, while starter Anquin Barnes is doubtful. The only defensive tackle who regularly sees playing time not on the injury report is Taurean Carter. They’ll need Carter, Brandon Davis-Swain and Amari McNeill to give them everything they have or CU is going to have to get creative at that spot.

A vulnerable TCU defense

It might be time for Salter to show off his arm. The Horned Frogs have the second-worst passing defense in the conference, ahead of only OK-State, and the Buffs have playmakers out wide that should be able to create separation downfield. Like he did two weeks ago against Wyoming, Salter might be best served chucking it deep to give players like Omarion Miller, Joseph Williams and Sincere Brown chances to make game-changing plays.

The revenge factor

It can’t be ignored. Even though the TCU roster is completely different from 2023, coach Sonny Dykes will be quick to remind his group what happened the last time the team from Boulder was in their stadium. The fans certainly haven’t forgotten and they’ll be begging the Horned Frogs to put up as many points as possible to heal the wound from two years ago. 

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King’s Prediction

TCU 38, Colorado 21
Somehow, even the Buffs are only a two-touchdown underdog this time around (as opposed to three touchdowns in 2023), if Coach Prime’s team is able to storm into Amon G. Carter Stadium and take down TCU once again, this would feel like an even bigger upset. Yes, the Buffs are deeper than they were two years ago, but they’re lacking stars. The Horned Frogs have those, as well as depth, and they cruise to a win behind a prolific passing attack led by stud QB Josh Hoover.