This season, the Buffs are heralded due to the entertaining figure of Coach Deion Sanders. But let’s not fool ourselves; while there has been a lot of confetti thrown around, there’s a wake-up call waiting down the line. Colorado Buffaloes have opened their 2024 season on an iffy note, and many things need to be corrected if this team wants to make it to the playoffs. What fans have come to know is that this team has some significant issues, primarily up front on both sides of the game.

Sports analyst Paul Finebaum left no stone unturned on ESPN’s Get Up show. “Their offensive line cannot protect Sanders, and that’s the problem. And that’s what will be their undoing before the season is over.” Those words are something, especially when it comes to the growing talent on this particular roster.

In the middle of the season, the Colorado Buffaloes have been seen to have a problem with the list for the offensive line. Although Shedeur Sanders began the season brightly with 445 passing yards against North Dakota State, the O-line has come under pressure since then. Again, in their game against Nebraska, he was under a lot of pressure and managed only 244 yards. In the overtime win against Baylor, where he threw for 341 yards, the inefficiency of the O-line was evident as Sanders was pressured on 37% of his dropbacks. Finebaum’s criticism underscores a harsh reality: on the one hand, if the team does not protect their star QB better than this, the Buffaloes will find life very difficult moving forward.

The pragmatic wisdom of this puffed-up strategy is beginning to dawn on people – the fact that the glitz and glam of Coach Prime has no substance if the offensive line can’t deliver. Finebaum’s words reflect a painful feeling that is typical for Colorado fans. “Everyone loved what we saw. It was arguably the play of the year; it wasn’t even arguable. But they’re still not there.” In other words, disregarding untold great performances and cheap displays, the Buffaloes are a work in progress. “The truth is, Colorado’s offensive line has been a sieve. If they can’t provide even a modicum of protection for Sanders, it’s going to be a long season.” Finebaum added.

It’s not just that they have a difficult schedule, but rather, they are up against their capabilities. The next game is due against UCF, and that will be a defining moment for Colorado as a team this season.

Colorado’s path ahead: the protection and the protector

For the remaining games, the Buffaloes have a lot of improvement to make if they want to be viable the next time they are to face their subsequent foes, much less UCF. One major area of improvement is special teams, which faltered in the last game against Baylor, allowing too many yards on returns and missing key tackles.

On defense, they also gave up some easy plays, particularly in the second half, allowing Baylor to force overtime. With stronger and more successful teams on their schedule, if Colorado intends to pull out wins, those are spots to shore up – and reduce the number of allowed big plays, while giving the possession back to Sanders and the offense more often.

Will the team be able to pull through with the work, step up, and triumph? That is why every team must make every attempt at development. In this respect, the more they can come together as a unit, the better will be their performance. It’s about cooperation, and should the Buffaloes be able to tap into that aspect, then they are bound to shock a few people here and there.