Deion Sanders Reportedly Set to Make Kaidon Salter Colorado QB1 over Staub vs. Wyoming

Colorado is pivoting back to Kaidon Salter as its starting quarterback ahead of Saturday's game against Wyoming, according to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz.

Salter started the Buffaloes' first two games before Ryan Staub got the nod in what proved to be a 36-20 loss to Houston in Week 3.

Staub made a strong impression when he entered midway through Colorado's 31-7 win over Delaware. He went 7-of-10 for 158 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

The third-stringer rising from relative obscurity made for a great story.

"He's just been waiting for his opportunity," head coach Deion Sanders said after the game. "He never jumped in the portal. He had every right to think that way. He's just been a great human being and a great young man. He's like a leader amongst that room, all he needed was that opportunity. I thought it was time."

Staub fell back to earth against Houston. He threw for 204 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 35 attempts.

Sanders told reporters Tuesday he had decided on a quarterback for Saturday but didn't name a starter. Asked about what he needs to see from Salter, he cited "leadership and consistency," which applies broadly to whoever is under center.

The optics are never good when a team plays musical chairs at quarterback.

Salter has more experience than Staub after spending the previous four years at Liberty, and his arrival in Boulder was generally considered a big deal. He was a ready-made replacement for Shedeur Sanders.

The bloom might already be off the rose when Salter was benched and then demoted within three games.

Maybe the senior will begin to thrive after receiving a wakeup call. Should he struggle out of the gate against Wyoming, some fans may start to wonder whether another QB change is in store.