Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team head back on the road as underdogs this weekend.

After starting 2-0 for the first time since 2023, the Buffs visit Northwestern (1-0) on Saturday night looking to build off the momentum of their 31-point win in Week 2. The Wildcats have had two weeks to prepare for Colorado thanks to their Week 2 bye and head coach David Braun is impressed with what he’s seen from Coach Prime’s squad.

“Coach Sanders, since arriving in Boulder, has done an incredible job building that program,” Northwestern head coach David Braun said. “I think he and his staff did a really good with their roster construction this offseason. You can see it tangibly showing up on tape.

“I think where it really shows up is at the line of scrimmage for these guys. They certainly have our attention.”

This game could be a turning point for both programs. With that in mind, here are three keys and a prediction for the Colorado football team’s Week 3 game vs. Northwestern.

Run the ball to set up play-action pass

Colorado OC Brennan Marion has proved his worth so far through two weeks. The Buffs finally have a reliable running game and the first 100-yard rusher (Micah Welch) of the Coach Prime era.

After rushing for 180-plus yards in back-to-back games, each of the Colorado football team’s top three running backs (Welch, Damian Henderson, DeKalon Taylor) average at least 5.3 yards per carry.

“They’re effectively, efficiently and explosively running the football with some really good backs,” Braun said of the Colorado football team.

The success running the football has opened up a dynamic play-action passing game for QB Julian Lewis and his receivers. Through two games this season, Lewis is completing 69.7% of his passes for 422 yards and five TDs with zero INTs on play-action. It’s partly due to Lewis’ pinpoint accuracy and partly due to Brennan Marion’s commitment to running the football.

When defenses bring extra bodies into the box to stop the run, Marion dials up a play-action pass at the right time. Until then, Marion has no problem running the ball until the opponent shows it can stop it.

It’s a winning formula that must be on display again Saturday night in Evanston.

Force Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles into old habits

Aidan Chiles is talented. He’s also erratic.

The Northwestern QB is at his third school in four years and perhaps Wildcats OC Chip Kelly is the coach to break some of Chiles’ bad habits. In 20 starts across two seasons at Michigan State, Chiles threw 14 INTs. He completed just 38.2% of his passes and had six turnover-worthy when under pressure last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Pressure is something that Chiles could see plenty of from the Colorado football team. Northwestern’s starting center Jackson Carsello suffered a scary injury in the season opener that had him carted off the field and taken to the hospital. The Wildcats’ projected starting interior trio on the offensive line without Carsello combined to play just 51 snaps in 2025.

Their inexperience should allow the Colorado football team to generate pressure and force Chiles into at least one mistake.

Don’t let Griffin Wilde go wild

Northwestern has a pair of talented RBs (Gavin Sawchuk, Caleb Komolafe) but its best offensive weapon is Griffin Wilde.

The Wildcats’ leading receiver from last season (71/880/8) is back and caught a 71-yard TD from Chiles in the season opener. Wilde lines up in the slot and on the outside which means it’ll be a group effort to keep him in check.

Coach Prime confirmed that Boo Carter will play both cornerback and the slot this weekend. Carter has been targeted a team-high 13 times so far this season and has allowed just six catches for 53 yards. QBs are completing just 46% of their passes when throwing his way. Carter is a good candidate to shadow Wilde and follow him around all night.

Jason Stokes Jr. appeared to play his way into the rotation at cornerback after totaling three PBUs in Week 2. Whether it’s Stokes Jr., Carter or starting cornerback Cree Thomas, the Colorado football team must have a Plan A and Plan B for making sure Wilde doesn’t go wild.

Colorado football vs Northwestern prediction

Northwestern’s temporary football stadium gives this game a unique setting. Heavy lake-effect winds are expected along with some precipitation which could throw a wrinkle or two into this game, especially on special teams.

The weather could also make this a low-scoring, ground-and-pound game, something the Buffs have already experienced this season. Although the Wildcats had an extra week to prepare due to their early bye, the benefit of an extra game with live reps should work to the Colorado football team’s advantage.

The Buffs have already beaten a quality opponent on the road this season and if South Dakota State didn’t have to settle for five field goals in the red zone Week 1, Northwestern might’ve gotten upset by an FCS team.

Colorado wins 28-20.

Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.