NCAAF · 1 year ago

5 Things We Learned From Colorado’s Blowout Win Over CSU

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Recipe For Success
Colorado is now 2-1, and this 28-9 victory was a very positive performance. The Buffaloes were able to run the ball a bit to provide some semblance of balance, and the defense forced a pair of turnovers and kept the Colorado State Rams from hitting big plays in the passing game. The offensive line looked slightly better than in the first two weeks. Those things are a formula for success, and Colorado needs to find a bit of balance and continue giving players like Travis Hunter and LaJohntay Wester opportunities to make plays. They now host Baylor and should be able to beat them before they travel to Central Florida. That is an opportunity to reach four wins before a bye week.
1. Travis Hunter Continues Elite Play
The Colorado Buffaloes have a pair of elite talents. Opponents know that the duo of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders will be the focal point of Colorado’s plan, but knowing does not make it any easier to stop. Hunter went off again and continues to assert himself as one of the nation’s best wide receivers. Hunter had 13 receptions for 100 yards with two touchdowns. He consistently moved the chains and reached 100 yards despite a long catch of just 21 yards. It did not matter who Colorado State placed on him or what coverage they deployed; Hunter continued to make plays. The Buffaloes might not have the record to allow Hunter to be a Heisman Trophy finalist, but he is well on his way to an All-American campaign.

Travis Hunter Heisman Trophy Odds: +3000
2. Colorado OL Provides Clean Pockets
After losing to Nebraska, Shedeur Sanders not-so-subtly threw the Colorado offensive line under the bus when he intimated that Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola had a good game because he was rarely pressured. The Colorado offensive line will not be a strength for this team, but for at least one night, the Buffaloes could keep Sanders mostly clean and give him time to throw. Colorado State only had one sack in the game, and Sanders took advantage of the clean pocket, throwing for more than 300 yards with four touchdowns. It was a step forward for Colorado’s offensive line, and they’ll need to continue that in Big 12 play.
3. Offensive Balance
The success of the offensive line was not only apparent in a bit more time to throw for Shedeur Sanders. Colorado did not have much desire to run the ball, but they did need to find some balance, running the ball for 5.7 yards per carry. Micah Welch had nine carries or 65 yards (7.2 yards per rush), and Isaiah Augustave added 31 yards on the ground. Gaining 109 yards rushing might not seem like a big deal, particularly against Colorado State, but it was a step forward for the Buffaloes. It is challenging to win in a major conference with a one-dimensional offense, so finding at least a bit of success on the ground will be important in Big 12 play.

Week 4: Colorado (-1.5) vs. Baylor
4. Defense Steps Up
Colorado’s defense is better than in 2023, but this was perhaps the best performance on defense of the entire Deion Sanders era. Colorado State is struggling, but Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was limited to 209 yards, passing on just 5.4 yards per completion, and he had two interceptions with no touchdowns. The Rams ran the ball 31 times for an average of 4.2 yards per rush, but a lot of that was a run of 62 yards from Avery Morrow. Take that play away, and CSU only managed 30 rushes for less than 70 yards. This game may have more to do with Colorado State being bad than Colorado improving, but it was a step forward for the Buffaloes.
5. Recipe For Success
Colorado is now 2-1, and this 28-9 victory was a very positive performance. The Buffaloes were able to run the ball a bit to provide some semblance of balance, and the defense forced a pair of turnovers and kept the Colorado State Rams from hitting big plays in the passing game. The offensive line looked slightly better than in the first two weeks. Those things are a formula for success, and Colorado needs to find a bit of balance and continue giving players like Travis Hunter and LaJohntay Wester opportunities to make plays. They now host Baylor and should be able to beat them before they travel to Central Florida. That is an opportunity to reach four wins before a bye week.
1. Travis Hunter Continues Elite Play
The Colorado Buffaloes have a pair of elite talents. Opponents know that the duo of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders will be the focal point of Colorado’s plan, but knowing does not make it any easier to stop. Hunter went off again and continues to assert himself as one of the nation’s best wide receivers. Hunter had 13 receptions for 100 yards with two touchdowns. He consistently moved the chains and reached 100 yards despite a long catch of just 21 yards. It did not matter who Colorado State placed on him or what coverage they deployed; Hunter continued to make plays. The Buffaloes might not have the record to allow Hunter to be a Heisman Trophy finalist, but he is well on his way to an All-American campaign.

Travis Hunter Heisman Trophy Odds: +3000

5 Things We Learned From Colorado’s Blowout Win Over CSU

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