Colorado (4-8 in 2021) vs. Texas Christian (5-7); 8 p.m. Friday, Folsom Field

TV/Radio: ESPN/630 AM, 94.1 FM

Line: TCU -13.5, 57.5 over/under

Weather: 77 degrees, partly cloudy

What to know

Quarterback shuffle. It’s the sort of storyline only college football could produce: Two teams enter their season opener without either signaling a clear-cut QB1. While the Buffs are expected to split snaps between incumbent starter Brendon Lewis and recovered-from-an-ACL-tear sophomore J.T. Shrout, new TCU coach Sonny Dykes indicated he may trot out as many as three quarterbacks: Max Duggan (29 starts), Chandler Morris (two starts) and Sam Jackson (zero starts). How much of that is early season gamesmanship will become clear once we get to the second half.

Rare air. CU had one of the worst passing games in FBS last year (126th out of 130 teams) — a major reason former offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini was replaced by Mike Sanford (himself let go by Minnesota) last winter. Tight end Brady Russell, last year’s leading pass catcher, is back, as is rangy WR Daniel Arias, and Baylor transfer R.J. Sneed (46 receptions, 573 yards in ’21) has joined the fray. A matchup against TCU and preseason All-American CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson will offer a barometer for how much progress has been made.

Perry’s return. The Buffs’ losses in the transfer portal this offseason were well documented. One of those departures, safety Mark Perry, makes his return to Boulder Friday night. Except this time he’ll be wearing purple. Did Perry, who had a team-best three interceptions for CU last season, pass along any state secrets to his new teammates? Time will tell.

First time’s a charm? The start of a two-game home-and-away series — the return trip to Fort Worth is Sept. 2, 2023 — will mark the first meeting between the Buffs and Horned Frogs. TCU has won seven in a row vs. Pac-12 teams, including a 34-32 win over Cal last year. Dykes is 0-1 in visits to Folsom Field, however, having lost once as Cal’s leading man. And his inaugural seasons at previous stops — Louisiana Tech (5-7), Cal (1-11) , SMU (5-7) — came with more than a few hiccups, especially in the openers (1-2).

Key matchups

Air Raid vs. Buffs DBs. If there’s one thing Dykes’ teams are known for, it’s letting it rip with the passing game. TCU junior wide receiver Quentin Johnston (five 100-yard games in last 10 starts) is a handful for even the most experienced defensive backs. How will the Buffs’ relatively inexperienced secondary respond?

Buffs OL vs. TCU D-line. If there’s another thing Dykes’ teams are known for, it’s leaky defenses. That should make for an interesting Week 1 given TCU long made its bones on that side of the ball under previous coach Gary Patterson. Can a retooled Buffs offensive front push around the Horned Frogs?

Predictions

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CU 33, TCU 30 (OT)

If you like your quarterback rotations and playbooks shrouded in mystery until kickoff, this is the game for you. In a coin-flip tilt on a warm night, the Buffs hang on for dear life and shock the world. Because if they don’t, it’s not too early to worry as to when the next win is coming.

Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: TCU 27, CU 24

The Horned Frogs bring a new coach, a new scheme and a wild quarterback competition to Boulder, which is just enough for the Buffs to hang around all the way to the final whistle.