Boulder, CO–The Coach Prime era is officially upon us. The Buffaloes’ most recent victory has come at the expense of their most bitter rival: the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Such rivalry has stretched across three different centuries, but the bad blood between the two hasn’t aged a bit. The final score ended up being 36-14, a proper beatdown. However, Colorado still showed a couple flaws in their game that need to be sorted out before midseason, which is when they start battling heavy hitters like Oregon and USC.
The Positives:
1. Shedeur Sanders is the Truth
This has become no debate. His record breaking performance against TCU only showed a glimpse of what the Junior quarterback can do, but his performance against Nebraska gave the nation a picture that is clear as day. Sanders put on a show in his Folsom Field debut, following up his 510 yard performance with a 393 yard performance. He also threw for two touchdowns and ran for one. His most impressive attribute is his pocket presence and ability to shift through his reads. His offensive line is still inconsistent, but he doesn’t allow that to phase him. He’ll make sure he scans the entire field before jumping to a conclusion about a play, which could’ve ended up being a risky decision. Shedeur has trained with elite pro level talents at his position — like the greatest to play his position in Tom Brady — which has helped him mold the play style he shows off every Saturday. He truly is a student of the game.
2. The Defense Has Strong Potential
The Buffalo defense has taken several strides since last week. Against TCU, the defensive line generated little to no pressure towards their quarterback, leaving him with all day to find a receiver to throw to. After the game versus the Horned Frogs, Defensive Coordinator Charles Kelly explained to Uncle Neely how his unit needed to come into practice for the Nebraska game and get better, but a win was a win. They entered the home opener and did just that. The defense forced three turnovers in the first half alone, which helped their offensive counterparts enter halftime with a 13-0 lead. But one of the biggest defensive stories of the game was the isolation of Travis Hunter. He had a quiet stat line on the defensive side of the ball, but it was for a good reason. Nebraska avoided throwing to his side of the field at all costs. Every college football fan in the nation knows if you throw Travis Hunter’s way, you run the risk of ending your drive off earlier than anticipated. Matt Rhule and company wanted nothing to do with the top “dawg” no. 12 for Colorado.
Things Needing Improvement:
1. Offensive Line Woes
The Colorado Buffaloes’ offensive line has shown promise but needs significant improvement. Their ability to protect the quarterback and create running lanes has been inconsistent, but luckily it hasn’t led to any offensive slack. Improved pass protection and better run blocking will be essential in giving the team’s playmakers the time and space they need to make a greater impact on the field.
2. Consistent Play Throughout First Half
The Colorado Buffaloes have found themselves grappling with an all-too-familiar challenge this season – inconsistency in the first half then booming in the second. Historically, the Buffaloes have shown a penchant for strong second-half performances; it takes the offense a bit of time to warm up in the initial periods of games. Against TCU, Coach Prime virally addressed his team at halftime, and explained how the only reason the Horned Frogs were in the game at that point was because they allowed them to be. That seemed to be the case for Nebraska as well, as the team headed into the locker rooms after putting up only 13 points. The Buffaloes second-half surges are a major defining factor for this team at the moment, but if they continue down the winning trajectory they are on, there will be improvements made.
