Deion Sanders is hoping Isaac Wilson can save him from re-living his worst nightmare.
The Colorado football team played musical chairs at the quarterback position last season and appears to be on the verge of doing it again. Although Coach Prime said Tuesday that he doesn’t know yet who will start at QB for the Buffs this weekend, all signs point to it being Isaac Wilson.
“Isaac had a great spring so if he gets the nod, I feel all out that he’s going to do his thing,” Deion Sanders said Tuesday.
Julian Lewis was benched at halftime of Colorado’s Big 12 opener on Saturday and replaced by the Utah transfer QB. Isaac Wilson provided a bit of a spark, throwing for 156 yards and a TD in the 23-13 loss to Baylor. He led the Buffs on a 12-play, 95-yard TD drive (only TD drive of the day) to tie the game at 13 with 11 minutes left.
“Isaac came in and was a little shaky, nervous, then he calmed down a little bit, got us down the field, did his job,” Deion Sanders said postgame. “This is all we want. And one thing I told him is ‘you don’t have to be the man. Just get the ball to the men and we’re good.’
“That’s the one thing that we need to understand from that position. You don’t have to be the guy. Just get the ball, distribute to the guys and we’re fine. Because we got some guys. I think you saw it today. We got some guys.”
For perhaps the first time in its existence, Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense looks broken. The Colorado offensive coordinator has had success just about everywhere he’s been which is why a QB change had to be made.
Here’s a closer look at what’s plagued the Buffs’ offense and if Isaac Wilson can fix it:
Can’t convert, can’t sustain drives
Entering Week 5, Colorado has the lowest-scoring offense in the Big 12 (21.5 points per game).
It’s unacceptable when you consider the talent on that side of the ball, but it makes more sense when you dive into the numbers. The Buffs have converted just 22% (7/32) of their 3rd and 4th down attempts over the last two weeks.
The inability to extend drives is why Colorado has scored points on just four of its last 27 offensive possessions. A mind-blowing stat.
When asked about the 3rd-down inefficiencies, Coach Prime said that’s due to “decision-making.”
“That’s all it is, that’s decision-making,” Deion Sanders said Tuesday. “The young men out there have to make the decision to execute the play that’s called.
“No more excuses. We have to make those plays.”
Vertical passing game missing
Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense is a vertical-shot scheme. That was on display in Week 2 against FCS Weber State, but it’s been missing in action against quality teams this season.
Julian Lewis led Colorado to score just 24 points in 10 quarters vs. Power 4 opponents before being benched. One reason for that has been his inability (or unwillingness) to take downfield shots in the passing game.
The 19-year-old Julian Lewis ended the first half last week vs. Baylor completing just 11 of 16 pass attempts for 75 yards. Seven of those 11 completions came behind the line of scrimmage. Only one of Isaac Wilson’s passes were behind the line of scrimmage and he quadrupled Lewis’ deep (20-plus yards) attempts (four to one).
The Buffs’ WRs have too much speed and athleticism to not be given multiple downfield opportunities throughout a game. Isaac Wilson — perhaps simply due to experience — is more willing to take chances and create big plays in the passing game at this point, something Marion’s offense desperately needs.
“Isaac’s not scared,” Deion Sanders said of Isaac Wilson Wednesday on the Colorado Football Coaches Show. “I started out like that because I want you to know he’s gonna go out there and try it.”
Isaac Wilson is a better fit for the Go-Go
Brennan Marion’s offense is unique and it requires the right fit at QB.
Through four weeks, it’s clear that Julian Lewis isn’t the best fit. It’s not a lack of talent, but his unwillingness pull the trigger as a passer and use his legs as a runner has his OC frustrated.
This isn’t the first time Marion has made a QB change early in a season, though. It’s actually par for the course.
Doug Brumfield was Marion’s Week 1 starting QB at UNLV in 2023 before Jayden Maiava took over as the full-time starter in Week 4. The Rebels went on to average 34 points per game and Marion won Mountain West Wire Coordinator of the Year.
Matthew Sluka was Marion’s opening-day 1 at UNLV starter in 2024 before Hajj-Malik Williams (currently on Colorado’s coaching staff) took over in Week 5. The Rebels went on to average a school-record 36 points per game.
Just last year at Sac State, former blue-chip recruit Jaden Rashada was Marion’s starter until Cardell Williams took over as the starter in Week 3 and never looked back. The Hornets went on to average 33 points per game.
Needless to say, Brennan Marion is in familiar territory playing QB musical chairs. If recent history is any indication, Isaac Wilson could be exactly who the Colorado football team needs.
“It starts out great but we have to make the plays,” Deion Sanders said Tuesday. “The plays are there. If we just sat there with you all and turned on the film, you’d say ‘dang, for real?’
“So we have to take advantage of the plays that are there.”
Isaac Wilson and the Buffs are back in Boulder this week, welcoming Texas Tech to Folsom Field on Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. MT kickoff.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.
