FACTS & STATS: Site: Folsom Stadium (51,748) -- Boulder, Colorado. Television:FSN. Home Record: KSU 3-1, Colorado 2-1. Away Record: KSU 1-1, Colorado 0-1. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, Colorado 1-1. Conference Record: KSU 1-1, Colorado 0-2. Series Record: Colorado leads, 43-19-1.

GAME NOTES: The Colorado Buffaloes will try to put the breaks on their current skid this weekend, as they entertain the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 matchup at Folsom Stadium. After opening the season with three straight wins, the Buffs have fallen on hard times, dropping each of their past three outings. Last weekend, Colorado faced its second straight nationally-ranked opponent in Kansas, which came out on top in a 30-14 decision. With the loss, the Buffs remained winless in league play at 0-2 and are now in jeopardy of falling below .500 overall for the first time this season. As for KSU, it used a big effort from its offense to defeat Texas A&M, 44-30, on the road last weekend. It was the second victory in the past three games by the Wildcats, who improved to 4-2 overall and a level 1-1 within the conference. The program will now try to win two straight conference road games for the first time since 2003. Accomplishing that feat could be possible, as KSU has won the last two meetings with Colorado. The Buffs however, still own a 43-19-1 advantage in the head-to-head series and that includes a commanding 26-5 lead when playing in Boulder.

The Wildcats were impressive on offense this past weekend, as they used a balanced attack of 215 rushing yards and 234 passing to defeat Texas A&M 44-30. The offense put together three scoring drives of 80 or more yards, while converting 9-of-12 third down chances. Making good on third downs is nothing new for KSU, which is converting 49 percent of its chances for the year. Quarterback Josh Freeman, once again, was sensational in the win, as he ran for 95 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to completing 21-of-26 pass attempts for 234 yards. One of the most versatile signal callers in a conference loaded with great quarterbacks, Freeman has rushed for 12 touchdowns and thrown the same amount against just two picks this season. He is completing 65.7 percent of his tosses for 251.5 ypg and is just one passing touchdown shy of tying the school career record. Brandon Banks has certainly benefited from Freeman's success, as he leads the team with 29 catches, 573 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Aubrey Quarles is another dangerous threat in the passing game and he ranks second on the squad with 28 catches and 322 yards. Last weekend, Quarles had nine receptions for 102 yards, while Banks finished with four catches for 59 yards.

While the offense is clicking on all cylinders, the same can't be said about the KSU defense, which is being abused for 442.0 total ypg this season. The unit has struggled against the run (181.2 ypg) and pass (260.8 ypg) and hasn't fared well in the turnover department either, forcing only six miscues thus far. Despite coming out on top and making some key stops last weekend, the Wildcats' defense appeared vulnerable once again, giving up 544 total yards to Texas A&M. The program yielded 419 of those yards through the air, while forcing just one turnover. On a positive note, KSU did do a good job of getting into the backfield, as it recorded four sacks. Joshua Moore had eight stops to lead the Wildcats and his 35 tackles for the year are good enough to top the roster as well.

After scoring over 30 points in each of their first two games, the Buffs have failed to post over 21 points any of their last four outings. That includes last weekend, when Colorado was limited to just a pair of touchdowns in a loss to Kansas. The Buffs managed just 233 total yards in the game and that is below their modest season average of 310.2 ypg. Quarterback Cody Hawkins ran for a score and threw for another, but completed just 8-of-22 pass attempts for only 90 yards and two interceptions. He was replaced late in the game by Matt Ballenger, who passed for 57 yards on 5-of-8 tosses. On the year however, Hawkins has fared better and has completed 56.5 percent of his pass attempts, with 11 touchdowns against six interceptions. Scotty McKnight has been his first look with a team-high 21 catches to his name, while Josh Smith has also been a factor with a club-best 259 receiving yards. Rodney Stewart paces the team's ground attack, which is averaging 114.8 ypg, with 453 yards and that includes a 77-yard performance last weekend.

The Buffs had some trouble slowing down Kansas and its potent offense last weekend, giving up 407 total yards, including 151 on the ground. It was a disappointing effort by Colorado, which is holding opponents to 363.0 total ypg for the year. The Buffs also failed to record a single turnover after forcing 10 through the first five games. Getting to the quarterback also proved difficult for Colorado, as it managed only one sack in the loss. Ryan Walters paced the team in defeat with 12 stops, including six of the solo variety. He now has 57 stops for the year and that ranks seconds to Jeff Smart, who leads the way with 59 tackles.

The Wildcats are clearly the more explosive team here and that should help them outlast Colorado in what could end up being a shootout due to KSU's suspect defense.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kansas State 35, Colorado 31

Saturday, October 18th, 7:00 p.m. (et)