Colorado will start a third quarterback in four weeks Saturday when it hosts UCLA.

According to BuffZone’s Brian Howell, Colorado is expected to start true freshman Owen McCown against the Bruins to open Pac-12 play. McCown will take the reins from JT Shrout, who has started the last two games after taking over for Brendon Lewis, the Buffs’ starter in Week 1.

McCown was not expected to play for CU this season. The Buffs went into the year with a battle between Lewis and Shrout. Week 1, a 38-13 loss to TCU, made it clear that Lewis wasn’t the guy. He completed 13 of his 18 pass attempts for just 78 yards; the offense looked lethargic.

Shrout took over and then handled the entire game against Air Force. He completed five of his 21 pass attempts for just 51 yards and an interception as the Buffs lost 41-10 to the Falcons. Colorado had just 162 yards of total offense at 3.1 yards a play, again looking rather lifeless.

Last week, CU managed a better day moving the ball — 3.9 yards a play and 227 yards total — but scored only seven points in a 49-7 loss to Minnesota. Shrout completed four of his 11 passes for 21 yards and a score. Lewis got into the game, going 2-of-6 for 14 yards. McCown threw his first passes of the season, going 4-for-7 for 52 yards.

With the Buffs sitting at 0-3 and welcoming in the 3-0 Bruins, coach Karl Dorrell is hoping to find a spark on offense to stave off all the hot seat talk that has popped up in recent weeks.