Deion Sanders faces an unprecedented challenge as Lake Michigan’s relentless storms and potential lightning delays threaten to neutralize the Buffaloes' high-powered offense in a road battle.
The Colorado Buffaloes are preparing for their first real test of the 2026 season on Saturday. Deion Sanders said earlier in the week he was keeping an eye on the weather with storms expected to be a factor around kickoff.
"Maybe inclement weather in Northwestern, but we are up for the challenge," Sanders said during his weekly press conference in Boulder.
The second road trip this season brings a much different environment. The Wildcats' makeshift 15,000-seat venue, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, sits right on the banks of Lake Michigan. There's nothing blocking the wind coming off Great Lake, and the primary seating is behind the end zones. Terrible weather could play a significant factor for both teams. However, Northwestern is used to the conditions.
If there are thunderstorms, that's a whole other issue with game delays. Games must be suspended for a minimum of 30 minutes if lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius of the stadium, according to the NCAA rules. If another lightning strike occurs within that radius during the delay, the half-hour countdown resets.
Weather forecast for Colorado-Northwestern
This is less than ideal for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff for Sanders and the Buffs. The hourly forecast in Evanston shows thunderstorms ramping up between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. ET on Saturday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch in the area from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET
There's no break throughout the day with the storm clearing around Sunday at Noon ET. If the game were to be postponed or canceled, there's no structure for when the game could be played. The game, school and conference officials would determine the best steps forward.
Colorado vs. Northwestern: Live weather radar
Sanders and his staff will have to prepare for full-on downpours in the second half with every possession becoming important. Colorado will have to depend on the run becoming the main part of the offense. On the other hand, Chris Marve and the Buffs' defense will have to stop Northwestern from doing the same.
Sanders sounded unshaped by nature's role in CU's non-conference finale, but the Buffs haven't dealt with a situation like this in the Coach Prime era. Freezing and the occasional snow flurries, but not a high-impact rain event.
The weather conditions could be the one thing to stop Northwestern offensive coordinator Chip Kelly from airing the ball out all night.
"Good team. And [the] hurry up offense [with] no huddle, [they're] just doing this thing like Chip Kelly's been known to do. It presents some dilemmas," Sanders said. "We've got to prepare and practice for that thoroughly."
Expect this game to be a defensive battle in the trenches. Both teams are physical and Northwestern is coming off a bye week with extra time to prepare for Colorado.
The Buffs travel to Evanston, Illinois for a rare non-conference matchup with Northwestern on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
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