What seemed like the easiest game on the Colorado schedule is here and it looks more daunting than expected.

As the Buffaloes (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) have crumbled in their last two games, losing by a combined score of 105-24, West Virginia (3-6, 1-5) is riding high off its first Big 12 win of the season — a 45-35 road victory against a ranked Houston team.

The only hope for Deion Sanders and company to salvage the 2025 season is to win the final three games and reach a bowl game in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 20 years.

But that streak must start against a Mountaineers squad starting to playits best football of the season under coach Rich Rodriguez, who is in his first year in his second stint in charge of the program.

Here’s what to expect when the Buffs head to Morgantown, W.Va.:

Last time out

As nearly two-touchdown underdogs on the road, the Mountaineers pulled off one of the more stunning upsets in the Big 12 this season and threw a major wrench in the conference title race.

Against a Houston team that had only lost to Texas Tech, West Virginia scored 24 points in the second half to pull away for a 10-point win.

The Mountaineers had lost their first five conference games by an average of over 23 points. 

How they pulled off the win at Houston feels repeatable, though, at least when the Buffs visit. WVU ran for just under 250 yards as a team against one of the Big 12’s best rushing defenses and now gets to face the worst in CU.

The Mountaineers also limited the Cougars’ rushing attack and forced four turnovers, which bodes well against a Buffs offense that has given the ball away plenty this season.

On offense

The only team in the Big 12 that has had more inconsistent quarterback play than the Buffs is the Mountaineers.

Four players at the position have played in at least four games with all four attempting 18 or more passes. 

Making his second straight start, freshman Scotty Fox was impressive again, accounting for over 200 yards of offense and three touchdowns a week after he threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns in a close loss to TCU.

But this West Virginia offense is built on its rushing attack.

Even though starter Jahiem White has been out since Week 2, the Mountaineers still rank in the top half of the conference in rushing with an average of over 180 yards per game as a team.

Freshman Diore Hubbard had the best game of his young career, rushing for over 100 yards and a touchdown at Houston.

In the passing game, wide receiver Cam Vaughn leads the way in receptions, yards and touchdowns, but his only 100-yard game this season came in the season opener against FCS Robert Morris.

On defense

We could be in for a shootout in Morgantown.

There are only two defenses in the Big 12 allowing more points per game than CU. WVU has one of them.

The Mountaineers have allowed 30 or more points in five of six conference games, including three games with over 40 points allowed.

If there’s one area WVU does better than others, though, it’s stopping the run, where it ranks ninth in the conference in rushing yards allowed per game.

Senior safety Fred Perry leads the team in both total tackles and tackles for loss, while veteran linebacker Chase Wilson (who played at Colorado State for multiple seasons) is tied for the team lead in sacks with three.

Senior linebacker Reid Carrico is another potential playmaker to watch on the Mountaineer defense. 

The West Virginia Mountaineers file

Record: 3-6 (1-5 Big 12)

Head coach: Rich Rodriguez (8th season overall, 1st season of second stint, 63-32 total record)

Senior offensive assistant: Travis Trickett (4th season overall, 1st season of second stint)

Defensive coordinator: Zac Alley (1st season)

Key returners: QB Scotty Fox Jr., RB Diore Hubbard, WR Cam Vaughn, TE Grayson Barnes, OL Landen Livingston, LB Reid Carrico, LB Chase Wilson, S Fred Perry, S Darrian Lewis