The Colorado Buffaloes have a fascinating backfield heading into the 2025 season, one that has to be the key for this new offense to prosper.
The idea of establishing a hard-nosed, physical rushing identity is great in theory, but will the Buffs truly commit to it? With a new quarterback set to take over and questions about how this offense will function, the running game will need to step up in a major way.
Mentality shift
It’s easy for a team to say they want to establish the run, but following through with it is an entirely different challenge. We hear plenty of coaches preach about hitting teams in the mouth, only for them to abandon the ground game at the first sign of adversity. That can't be the case this year. Colorado needs to emphasize the run, not just as a complement to the passing game, but as a legitimate weapon.
And please, no more up-the-middle 4th and 1 runs with Charlie Offerdahl.
Talent is there
There’s no shortage of talent in this running back room. Isaiah Augustave led the Buffaloes with 384 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2024. Former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden was second on the team with 196 yards, and he also returns. True freshman Micah Welch had four touchdowns last season and is someone else who could step into a more prominent role.
Welch stands out as a player who could emerge as a star. Last spring, he dominated practices and showed flashes during the season, but an injury limited his production. If fully healthy, he has the explosiveness and vision to take over as the primary back.
Augustave, on the other hand, proved to be a steady presence, averaging an impressive 4.5 yards per carry despite struggling with blocking upfront.
Is there a true No. 1?
A true star running back typically takes full control of the workload, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark and becoming the offense’s focal point. Can that happen in this offense? That’s the big question. Coach Prime has typically approached the running back room as more of a committee, splitting touches between multiple backs. If three different guys are each getting around 100 carries, that makes it difficult for anyone to put up dominant numbers.
However, if the Buffs are serious about building a strong running game in 2025, they might need to lean on one guy a bit more. Welch has the potential, Augustave has the production, and Hayden has the play-making pedigree. The offense, with all of its losses, will need someone to emerge as the clear-cut leader.
X-Factor: Coaching
Pat Shurmur will be tasked with making sure this unit is utilized properly, but there’s another key figure who could make a difference—Marshall Faulk.
The Hall of Famer's presence on this staff cannot be overstated. His knowledge of the game and ability to develop running backs is exactly what this position group needs to take the next step.
For Colorado to succeed in 2025, they can’t just talk about running the ball—they have to commit to it.
The pieces are in place for this running back room to thrive, but it all comes down to execution. If the Buffs get it right, this group could go from a question mark to one of the team’s biggest strengths. Keep an eye on Welch, Augustave, and Hayden. One of them could emerge as the next great Colorado running back.