Tunisia World Cup
As I sit down to analyze Colorado Football's 2023 season, I can't help but reflect on how much has changed since that deal expired and ran its course. You know, the one that had us all excited about the team's potential a couple years back. Well, that era is officially over, and what we witnessed this past season was something entirely new being built from the ground up. Let me walk you through my personal breakdown of key games and player performances that defined this transitional year for the Buffaloes.
First off, I want to emphasize that analyzing a football season isn't just about looking at win-loss records - it's about understanding the building blocks. My approach typically involves watching every single game twice, taking detailed notes on player movements, coaching decisions, and those crucial momentum shifts that don't always show up in the stat sheets. For Colorado's 2023 campaign, I focused particularly on how the team adapted after that previous deal structure dissolved. The team had to find its new identity, and honestly, it was fascinating to watch unfold. What worked for me was creating a spreadsheet tracking key metrics across different game situations - but more on that later.
The season opener against TCU was where I first noticed something special brewing. Colorado put up 45 points in that game, with Shedeur Sanders throwing for an incredible 510 yards. Now, I've been watching college football for over twenty years, and I can tell you that kind of debut performance is rare air. What impressed me most wasn't just the numbers though - it was how the offense adapted when their original game plan started crumbling in the second quarter. They switched to more quick passes and screen plays, which showed me this team had more flexibility than we'd seen in previous seasons. The downside was obvious too - the defense gave up 42 points, revealing vulnerabilities that would haunt them later in the season.
Here's my personal method for breaking down player performances - I focus on three key elements: consistency under pressure, adaptability to in-game adjustments, and leadership qualities that don't show up in stats. Take Travis Hunter for example - the kid played an average of 129 snaps per game on both offense and defense. That's absolutely insane workload management, and frankly, I've never seen anything like it at this level. But what the numbers don't show is how his energy seemed to lift the entire team during crucial moments. Against Colorado State, when the game went to double overtime, Hunter was the one rallying players on both sides of the ball. Those intangible elements are what separate good players from program-changers.
The Oregon game was where reality hit hard though - a 42-6 loss that exposed some serious gaps. From my perspective, the coaching staff made a critical error in sticking with their base defense too long against Oregon's versatile offense. When you're facing a team that can beat you in multiple ways, you need to have contingency plans ready by the second quarter at latest. I counted at least three drives where Colorado ran the exact same defensive alignment that had already been burned previously. That kind of stubbornness costs games at this level, and it's something I hope they address in the offseason.
What many fans might not realize is how much the expiration of that previous deal affected recruiting and depth charts. When that deal ran its course, it created both challenges and opportunities. The team lost several key veterans but gained fresh talent that brought new energy. My personal take is that this forced rebuild actually benefited the long-term outlook, even if it meant taking some lumps this season. The youth movement meant players like Cormani McClain got valuable experience that'll pay dividends down the road.
The USC game was another fascinating case study - a 48-41 shootout that showcased both the team's explosive potential and defensive concerns. Sanders threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns, but what stood out to me was his decision-making under pressure. On third downs with 7+ yards to go, he completed 72% of his passes - that's elite level execution. However, the defense allowed Caleb Williams to complete 85% of his passes in the second half. As much as I love offensive fireworks, you simply can't win big games with that kind of defensive performance.
Looking at the season holistically, I'd rate Colorado's performance as a B- overall. They exceeded my personal expectations in offensive development and player development, but defensive consistency and special teams need significant work. The team finished 4-8, which honestly feels about right given their schedule and transition period. My biggest takeaway from watching every snap is that the foundation is there for something special - the pieces just need more time to gel and the coaching staff needs to be more flexible with their in-game adjustments.
As we close this Colorado Football's 2023 Season Analysis, I'm reminded that rebuilding programs is always messier than it looks from the outside. The expiration of previous arrangements, both in personnel and systems, created growing pains but also cleared the path for genuine transformation. What I'll be watching for next season is how this team builds on the explosive offensive performances while addressing those defensive lapses. If they can find even modest improvement on the defensive side, I genuinely believe this could become a dangerous team in the Pac-12 landscape. The key games and player performances from 2023 have given us a compelling blueprint - now it's about execution and refinement.
