Initial observations from the CU Buffs’ 41-27 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Big 12 play at Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday.
It’s the defense: The biggest difference between 4-8 and this year’s Big 12 title contender (other than the schedule)? Robert Livingston’s defense, hands down. A year ago, an offensive start like the Buffs had on Saturday would’ve doomed them to chasing the score the rest of the day. Instead, Livingston’s crew gave Shedeur Sanders and Co. time to figure things out, bottling up TTU’s run game and keeping the Red Raiders out of the end zone for six straight possessions after their opening drive. The shallow crossing routes that hurt CU early got taken away (adjustments!), the sacks began to pile up (six, capped by a strip-sack to clinch it), and soon enough, the CU offense found its footing.
Running on empty: It generally takes two possessions to know whether or not the opposing Big 12 defense has a chance against the Buffs. The big tell: Can they stop the CU run game? If the Buffs are ripping off 4-5 yards a pop, the opponent is cooked. If it’s 2-3 yards on the first few carries, however, CU is in for a dogfight. The latter was the case in the first quarter Saturday, when CU’s running backs had 6 yards on three carries and playcaller Pat Shurmur immediately leaned into a pass-heavy attack. Even with an NFL QB like Shedeur Sanders, some semblance of balance is critical. When the Buffs stray from that, they become mortal.
So … many … weapons: Of course, being mortal doesn’t mean being easy to stop. The Buffs simply have too many weapons for that sort of nonsense. Take Will Sheppard, a receiver who would be the top option on a majority of FBS teams … and is No. 3 or 4 for CU’s stacked wide receiver corps. The 6-foot-3 Vanderbilt transfer was bear-hugged on a jump ball in the end zone, and still reeled it in with one hand while getting two feet down (for funzies). He was one of three pass catchers to grab a TD pass from Shedeur Sanders (Travis Hunter was, of course, one of them). That’s how the Buffs can sputter for a quarter, spot the home team a 13-0 lead and still cruise to a “W”.
Tortilla take: Nobody is here to bash tradition. If someone was unfamiliar with CU football and you told them a live buffalo runs onto the field before the start of every home game, they’d think you’re crazy. So, in that sense, we understand Deion Sanders’ initial reaction when asked about the tortilla throwing in Lubbock (“Is that legal?“). Then we got a glimpse of it Saturday … and we sorta agree with Coach Prime. Especially since it essentially gives the fans free license to throw ANYTHING at ANY TIME. Which predictably became an issue when the Buffs began to pull away in the second half. One more beef: It’s really easy to …read more
Source:: The Denver Post – Sports
