Deion Sanders is sticking with his starting quarterback as the Colorado Buffaloes prepare for one of their biggest challenges of the season.
And for Isaac Wilson, the opportunity comes against a familiar opponent.
Sanders confirmed Tuesday that Wilson will start Saturday against No. 11 Utah, giving the former Utes quarterback an opportunity to face the program where he began his college career.
The decision comes after Colorado's 29-7 loss to Texas Tech on Oct. 3, a game in which Wilson struggled with turnovers in his first start for the Buffaloes. Despite those difficulties, Sanders is giving the sophomore another opportunity to lead an offense that has struggled to find consistency through the opening weeks of the season.
Wilson completed 26 of 44 passes for 290 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions against Texas Tech. He also led Colorado with 42 rushing yards.
The Buffaloes showed promise early, opening the game with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that ended with Wilson connecting with wide receiver Joseph Williams for an eight-yard score.
However, Colorado struggled to maintain that momentum.
The Buffaloes held a 7-3 lead at halftime and remained within striking distance entering the fourth quarter. But costly turnovers helped Texas Tech pull away, including an interception returned for a touchdown that extended the Red Raiders' lead.
For Wilson, the performance represented a difficult first start after initially providing a spark to Colorado's offense.
The Utah transfer took over for Julian Lewis during the Buffaloes' Sept. 26 matchup against Baylor, completing 12 of 25 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Although Colorado ultimately suffered a 23-13 defeat, Wilson helped the Buffaloes overcome a double-digit deficit and briefly tie the game in the fourth quarter.
That performance earned Wilson the starting job against Texas Tech, replacing Julian Lewis, who had opened the season as Colorado's starting quarterback.
Despite Wilson's struggles in that matchup, Sanders has decided to stick with the sophomore as the Buffaloes prepare for their next challenge. And for Wilson, the opportunity carries additional significance. He'll be facing Utah, the program where his college football career began.
A former four-star recruit out of Corner Canyon High School in Utah, Wilson joined the Utes in 2024 and quickly found himself taking on significant responsibilities.
As a true freshman, he appeared in nine games and made seven starts, throwing for 1,510 yards and 10 touchdowns.
His freshman season included a victory over then-No. 14 Oklahoma State, making him the first true freshman quarterback in Utah's recorded program history to defeat an Associated Press-ranked opponent.
However, Wilson's time with the Utes was also marked by inconsistency.
He finished the 2024 season with 11 interceptions, highlighting some of the challenges that came with being asked to lead a Power Four offense so early in his college career. After spending the 2025 season primarily in a backup role, Wilson transferred to Colorado, hoping to find a better opportunity to compete for playing time.
Now, he has the chance to face his former teammates while trying to help the Buffaloes reverse their recent struggles.
Colorado enters Saturday's matchup with a 2-3 record, including an 0-2 start in Big 12 play.
The Buffaloes have lost three consecutive games, increasing the pressure on Sanders and his coaching staff to find answers offensively. Turning things around won't be easy against No. 11 Utah, which presents another difficult challenge for a Colorado offense that has struggled with consistency and costly turnovers.
For Wilson, taking care of the football will be especially important after throwing three interceptions in his previous start against Texas Tech. His three interceptions against Texas Tech contributed to a difficult second half in which Colorado failed to score after its opening possession.
Still, Sanders' decision to keep Wilson in the starting lineup suggests the coaching staff believes he gives the Buffaloes an opportunity to improve.
The matchup also creates an intriguing storyline beyond Colorado's quarterback situation.
Wilson spent two seasons in Utah's program before transferring to Boulder, giving him familiarity with the players and environment he will now face from the opposite sideline.
But familiarity alone will not guarantee success.
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Colorado needs more consistent offensive production, fewer turnovers and better execution if it hopes to compete with one of the Big 12's top programs. Saturday's game represents an opportunity for Wilson to show that his difficult outing against Texas Tech does not define his ability to lead the Buffaloes.
It also gives Sanders another chance to evaluate whether the quarterback change can provide the offensive improvement Colorado has been searching for.
And with Wilson preparing to face his former team, the stakes extend beyond another conference matchup.
The Buffaloes need a victory to get their season back on track, and their quarterback will have a significant role in determining whether they can deliver one.