CU Buffs could have a quarterback controversy

The latest: As of Thursday afternoon, Sanders was staying mum on a starter for Friday's game in Houston.

• Yes, but: ESPN indicated Staub would start, and multiple other outlets reported the redshirt sophomore got the majority of snaps in practice this week.

Flashback: Staub entered the season as the third-string quarterback behind senior Liberty University transfer Kaidon Salter and highly touted freshman Julian "JuJu" Lewis.

Driving the news: But when all three quarterbacks took the field last week against Delaware, Staub emerged as the unexpected star, going 7-10 with two touchdowns.

• He has quickly become a fan and media darling, drawing comparisons to "Rudy" Ruettiger, the famous walk-on at Notre Dame who inspired the popular movie.
• Caveat: Staub's sample size is small, and Delaware is not a football powerhouse by any means.

Threat level: CU has already put in all three of its quarterbacks in just two games, and if Staub struggles against Houston, Sanders could end up playing quarterback musical chairs.

• But Staub's success causes a different problem: He is only a sophomore and has eligibility remaining after this year. If Lewis feels like he doesn't have a clear route to the starting job, he could enter the transfer portal.

The bottom line: Sanders will have to carefully balance chasing wins this weekend with not shaking the confidence or commitment of Lewis, who is ostensibly the future of the program.