Despite traveling cross-country and through a hurricane, the Colorado Buffaloes found the perfect storm of their own against the Central Florida Knights.
Entering the game as 15-point underdogs, CU left Orlando as 27-point victors after a dominant performance against UCF that showcased what many fans hoped the team would look like when head coach Deion Sanders took over: complete.
The Buffs did what was expected of them, as quarterback Shedeur Sanders led an efficient passing attack with 290 yards and three touchdowns, while four different receivers combined for 263 yards. Two-way superstar Travis Hunter impacted both sides of the ball including a receiving touchdown and an interception, and the defense as a whole had another patented second half, allowing just seven points after the break.
However, the Buffs did a lot of what they weren’t expected to do as well. The offensive line won the day in pass protection and on the ground with the highest rushing output of the season. The Knights’ rushing attack which led the nation coming into the game, was kept in check and the offense as a whole had their lowest production yet this season.
The Buffs flexed their muscles and cleaned up their worst habits. This was the best win of the Deion Sanders era as far as playing a complete football game against a legitimate opponent. They now enter their bye week 4-1 and 2-0 against conference opponents, matching their win total from last year with seven games remaining.
The miracle win against Baylor and dominant victory over UCF has Colorado’s football stock at the highest its been since the Bill McCartney era of the 80s and 90s. Last year’s fast start was fun, but in hindsight it seems getting to 18th ranked nationally may have been a product of hype and an easy schedule. While a ranking may be slightly out of reach at the moment (CU received a single vote on the latest poll), the upcoming battle against No. 20 Kansas State may be the turning point between relevance and respect.
Heisman hopeful Hunter has already earned that respect by playing high-level football on both sides, a true unicorn that is earning comparisons to baseball’s Shohei Ohtani. The last time Colorado boasted a Heisman candidate was in 1994 when running back Rashaan Salaam won the honor but now Hunter is making a serious case to be the next Buff to do so.
Colorado has plenty left to prove, but thus far it has shown tangible improvement in areas of weakness and continued elite play out of its best players. CU is now on pace to have its most successful season in the last 20 years outside of a 10-4 year in 2016. Otherwise, the Buffs are competing for their first conference title and bowl win since 2004 when they won the Big 12 and the Houston Bowl behind head coach Gary Barnett, quarterback Joel Klatt and kicker Mason Crosby.
Cover photo by Remi Krupinski/Sko Buffs Sports
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