Summer in Durango is beautiful, but it can be tough for football fans as the season approaches and the need for the pigskin to be flying on TV screens increases. Now, the wait is over as college football is back.
Division I college football games have already been played as the Week Zero games occurred last weekend. However, that week is more of a soft launch into the season as there was only five games and one game between two top-25 teams.
Week 1 games started on Thursday and will be played until Monday night. Three top-25 matchups will take place during this time. While none of the Division I Colorado schools are involved in those matchups, the Colorado schools have some intriguing games to begin their seasons.
Here’s a look at what matchups Colorado Division I college football teams have this weekend:
Where: Folsom Field, Boulder
How to watch: ESPN
Last year’s records: Georgia Tech finished last season 7-6 overall and 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Yellow Jackets lost to Vanderbilt in the Birmingham Bowl, 35-27.
Colorado finished last season 9-4 overall and 7-2 in the Big 12 Conference. The Buffaloes lost to BYU, 36-14, in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Line: Georgia Tech is either a four or 4.5-point favorite depending on the sportsbook.
Notes: The Buffaloes are entering into a new chapter of the program’s recent history after losing quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter to the NFL draft.
Head coach Deion Sanders returns after facing some health issues in the offseason. He named transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter as the starter after Salter played four seasons for Liberty University. Salter led the Flames to an 8-3 record as a starter and finished with 15 passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns and six interceptions.
Georgia Tech returns its starting quarterback from last season. Redshirt senior Hayes King finished with 2,114 yards passing, 14 passing touchdown and two interceptions. He also was second on the team in rush yards with 587 and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns.
Where: Falcon Stadium, USAF Academy
How to watch: CBSSN
Last year’s records: Bucknell finished 6-6 overall and 4-2 in the Patriot League while competing in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision level.
Air Force finished 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the Mountain West Conference.
Line: No line
Notes: Bucknell returns its starting quarterback from last season. Ralph Rucker IV threw for 2,800 yards, 25 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Bison also return their top running back in Tariq Thomas.
Air Force had three quarterbacks complete at least six passes last season. Quentin Hayes led the Falcons with 455 passing yards and finished with three passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Hayes also was second on thew team with 466 rushing yards and led the team with seven rushing touchdowns.
Hayes transferred to The Citadel, leaving junior Josh Johnson and sophomore Liam Szarka to battle for the starting job. Johnson was third on the team last year with 126 passing yards.
Where: Husky Stadium, Seattle
How to watch: Big Ten Network
Last year’s records: Colorado State finished last season 8-5 overall and 6-1 in the Mountain West Conference. The Rams lost 43-17 to Miami of Ohio in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. Washington finished last season 6-7 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten Conference. The Huskies to Louisville, 35-34, in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.
Line: Washington is favored by between 21.5 and 22.5 points depending on the sportsbook.
Notes: Redshirt junior Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi returns after finishing last season with 2,796 yards passing, 14 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Rams look to return to a bowl games after making a bowl last season for the first time since 2017.
Washington enters its second year in the Big Ten with quarterback Demond Williams Jr. taking over for Will Rodgers. Williams Jr. finished last season with 944 passing yards, eight touchdowns and an interception in limited time. He did start for the Huskies in their bowl loss to Louisville.
Former Durango High School star Carver Willis is expected to start at left tackle for Washington. Willis spent his first five seasons of college football at Kansas State University.
Where: Nottingham Field, Greeley
How to Watch: ESPN+
Last year’s records: Northern Colorado finished 1-11 overall and 1-7 in the Big Sky Conference while competing in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision level.
Chadron State finished 3-8 overall and 2-7 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference while competing in Division II.
Line: No line
Notes: Graduate student quarterback Kia'i Keone returns for the Bears after leading the Bears with 796 passing yards. He also finished with one passing touchdown and seven interceptions. Fellow Northern Colorado quarterback redshirt junior Peter Costelli also returns after throwing for 586 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions last season.
Graduate student quarterback DJ Ralph returns for Chadron State after leading the Eagles with 1,085 passing yards and eight touchdowns in only six games played.
Local fans can see Chadron State when the Eagles come to Durango to face Fort Lewis College on Oct. 18 at noon.
