Two straight opponents have said Colorado’s offense looks the same no matter the QB

It’s one thing when we hear fans vent after a loss. It’s another when opposing head coaches start saying the same thing.

That’s the reality for Colorado football right now. After last week’s 36–20 loss at Houston, Cougars coach Willie Fritz noted that CU’s offense looked pretty much the same regardless of who lined up at quarterback.

This week, Wyoming coach Jay Sawvel doubled down.

“I don’t know that they alter their offense dramatically,” Sawvel said when asked about preparing for Ryan Staub, Kaidon Salter, or freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis.

So to them, no matter who’s under center, Pat Shurmur’s offense looks predictable. That's a major problem.

The numbers don’t lie

Against Houston, the Buffs punted six times, turned it over twice, and barely crossed 300 yards of total offense. Staub threw for 204 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, but the rhythm was never there.

The week before, Salter started against Georgia Tech and looked sharper — 159 yards passing, 43 rushing, two total touchdowns — but the offense still leaned on the same inside runs and bubble screens that defenses are already sitting on.

Now the Cowboys come to Boulder, and their head coach just confirmed what we have been writing about all along: Shurmur’s system doesn’t change. It doesn’t stretch defenses, and it obviously doesn’t keep anyone guessing.

Fans have seen this movie before

If you are a Broncos fan, like me, you knew this would happen. Shurmur’s reputation in Denver was built on the same “run-run-pass” formula that drained the life out of Drew Lock’s career. Back then, the complaint was a lack of creativity and no willingness to adjust.

Now in Boulder, we are experiencing it again firsthand. Social media has been brutal since the Houston loss. We’re all tired of watching this offense sputter, no matter who’s playing quarterback.

And when even opposing coaches point out the lack of variation, it sucks even more.

Wyoming preview: defense won’t be fooled

Wyoming comes in 2–1, fresh off a 31-6 loss to Utah. They only beat Akron 10-0 in Week 1, who might just be the worst team in FBS, but they don’t give up many big plays. With Colorado not being able to push the ball downfield, the Cowboys have every reason to feel confident in this game

We still have our weapons—Omarion Miller, Simeon Price, and tight end Zach Atkins are capable of breaking open a game. But will they even get the chance? That’s the frustrating part. Fans see the potential, but Shurmur’s offense feels like it’s holding everyone back.

If CU can’t find a spark against Wyoming, it's a definite sign that the rest of Big 12 play is going to make for a long season.

The QB question

This all circles back to Coach Prime. Deion Sanders admitted after the Houston game that he wasn’t sure who would start at quarterback this week. That uncertainty should usually be an advantage.

Instead, it feels irrelevant because defenses already know what’s coming.

Coach Prime has never been afraid to make bold decisions. If there was ever a time to shake things up — like giving Byron Leftwich play-calling duties — it’s now.

Because right now, we are restless.

If opponents are calling out the offense, and Wyoming smells blood, losing this game will be the lowest of the low in the Coach Prime era.

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