"Won't bet against Shedeur Sanders": CFB Insider breaks down Texas Tech's drawbacks ahead of Coach Prime's arrival at AT&T Stadium

With Colorado's matchup with Texas Tech having CFP implications, plenty around the nation and world will have an eye on Coach Prime's Buffaloes squad. Some of those eyes belong to journalist Pete Thamel and ESPN personality Rece Davis. Thamel guested with Davis during the network's Saturday Preview and each delivered a review of Texas Tech's chances.

Personalities like Colorado over Texas Tech for several reasons

"I just think Texas Tech is going to have a hard time stopping Colorado. I believe the Texas Tech defense ranked No. 129 nationally... and one thing I've learned about Shedeur Sanders and Deion since they took over is they play wildly entertaining games and they tend to... win the shootouts. I think they go and figure out a way to do it. -- Pete Thamel

Meanwhile, Rece Davis carried along the same path with his thoughts.

"Maybe it's just the confidence I have in Shedeur to handle this, Travis Hunter to make plays and... although Texas Tech played well on defense in Ames on Saturday and held [Iowa State] to 22 points, I'm not betting against Shedeur Sanders against a defense that gives up a ton."-- Rece Davis

Texas Tech's issues

First, to Thamel's point. Tech is actually No. 130 nationally in defensive yardage allowed. The Red Raiders are also No. 119 nationally in scoring defense, but still allow 34.4 points per game. Texas Tech is 6-3 (4-2 Big 12) because their offense has been just a tick better (36.4 ppg), but this is a suspect group.

Tech gave up 51 points to FCS Abilene Christian in Week 1 and allowed 59 points to Baylor. In seven of Tech's nine games, the opponent has gained over 400 yards, and in three games, the opponent gained over 500 yards. That's a major red flag.

Colorado's situation

Meanwhile, the 6-2 (4-1) Buffaloes have an outside shot at the Big 12 title and the CFP. Colorado's team offensive statistics are middle of the pack, largely because of the lack of a consistent running game, but the Buffs haven't been shut down since Week 2 by Nebraska. In four of the six games since, Colorado gained 400 yards and in one of the other two, they gained 398 yards.

Shedeur Sanders is the architect behind the squad's success. The veteran passer has completed over 73.3% of his passes this year for 2,591 yards and 21 touchdowns. Nobody has corralled Sanders. Even in that ugly Nebraska performance, he still threw for 244 yards and a touchdown. That is both his worst passing game on the year and the only time he failed to throw multiple TDs.

Game information for Colorado-Texas Tech

Colorado and Texas Tech will battle at 4 PM Eastern. The game will be televised on Fox with Jason Benetti, Brock Huard and Allison Williams on the call. The series between the team is tied at 5, and Colorado is a 4.5-point favorite in a recent check of odds.