Predicting the Colorado football season: Can Shedeur and improved defense do the trick?

After a year of progress and growing pains, the Colorado football program is looking to take a significant leap toward national contention in 2024. Deion Sanders enters his second year as head coach of the program that garnered notoriety across college football in no time.

Are the Buffs equipped on both sides of the ball to make that leap?

Shedeur Sanders-led offense is looking for more balance

In 2023, the Buffs' offense was their strength. The team was ranked eighth in the PAC-12 in total offense with over 363 yards per game, sixth in passing with 294.7 YPG, and dead last with 69.3 yards rushing per game. If the Buffs want to be in contention for the Big-12 conference championship, they must be more efficient and consistent in both categories. 

Longtime NFL coach Pat Shurmur takes over the offensive play-calling duties full-time after being hired last season following a late-season demotion of the previous OC, Sean Lewis.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders enters his final year of college football as one of the favorites to win the nation's top football honor, the Heisman Trophy, and an early candidate in the top ten of next year's NFL draft. Sanders had a strong 2023 season, passing for 3,230 yards (fifth in PAC-12), throwing 27 touchdowns (3rd in PAC-12), and only three interceptions with a rating of 151.7.

Despite the quality performances, Sanders took a lot of punishment, largely due to the offensive line's ongoing issues during the season, as they allowed 53 sacks, ranked the worst in the nation. Like most team positions, the transfer portal revamped the starting line.

The most notable players in the starting lineup are national top-ranked offensive lineman prospect Jordan Seaton, Payton Kirkland from Texas, Khalil Benson from Indiana, and Tyler Johnson from Houston.

With the transfer of 2023 team leading rusher Dylan Edwards to Kansas State, the running back contingent will look to provide a more balanced continuity to ease the load off the mileage Shadeur Sanders undertook last season. Charlie Offendaul is listed as the lead running back, but there are other options in Dallan Hayden (formerly Ohio State), former 1,000-yard rusher Rashad Amos (Miami-Ohio) and freshman Micah Welch.

The receiving core should be more potent, led by returnees Jimmy Horn Jr. (562 receiving yards, team-leading six touchdowns) and dual-position star Travis Hunter (721 receiving yards, five touchdowns). Veteran newcomers LeJohntay Wester (2nd in the country with 1,168 yards receiving for Florida Atlantic in 2023) and Will Sheppard (684 yards receiving and eight touchdowns for Vanderbilt) provide the much-needed firepower to the group.

Colorado football has a refreshed defense

Colorado's defense was consistently mediocre in 2023. The unit was ranked tenth worst in the FBS, allowing 34.8 points per game, and fourth worst in total defense, allowing 453.3 yards per contest. There were far too many occasions during the season when the opposing offense ran down the Buffs' defense, mainly due to missed tackles and committed penalties.

Colorado's defense has been revamped under the leadership of new coordinator Robert Livingston, former Cincinnati Bengals coach. The unit is anchored by two-way star Travis Hunter and the team's 2023 tackle leader, safety Shiloh Sanders. Furthermore, expect a more productive front seven featuring newcomers B.J. Green, Dayon Hayes, and Samuel Okunlola.

The Buffs also need enormous contributions from players like cornerback Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig (44 tackles, 3 INTs) and linebackers Travis Woods (56 tackles, 2 INTs) and LaVonta Bentley (68 tackles, five sacks).

Verdict for 2024 season

If the Buffs play to their capabilities and weather the outside noise and expectations, they can be a dark horse for the Big-12 conference crown.

Many college football prognosticators predict Colorado will win anything between four and six games, but the high ceiling would be eight wins, which should provide consideration for a bowl game come January.