CU hosts BYU on Saturday night with a question hanging over Folsom Field like an anvil: When will the Buffs become the boxing glove instead of the speed bag?
In his third season in Boulder, coach Deion Sanders continues to lament an issue that ruined his first season and stained his second.
Physicality.
The Buffs rebounded against Wyoming last week to even their record, but can they level up against an opponent that plans to punch them in the face?
Other than an inspired effort at Central Florida in a monsoon last season, the Buffs have shown an indifference to bloody knuckles and flexing muscles. The losses where they were trounced on the ground and unable to run are well documented, including against Georgia Tech this season and at Kansas in 2024.
Nine times in 28 games under Sanders, the Buffs have been gashed for 200 yards rushing. CU has only sniffed that total twice.
BYU is not a crossroads game. It is a dirt road game. Can the Buffs win ugly, choosing mud flaps over Maseratis?
While many of the faces have changed since their Alamo Bowl meeting last December, the numbers were sobering. BYU rushed for 180 yards. CU rushed for 2.
Sanders became one of the highest-paid coaches in the country this offseason because of how he revived CU’s program. But even with all the eyeballs he draws, it becomes hard to justify his raise if the Buffs cannot even make a bowl game. There is a narrow path to six wins, but only if CU can slow the run and establish a functional ground attack to help quarterback du jour Kaidon Salter.
BYU is a measuring stick of CU’s toughness. Fail to respond to this challenge, and it is impossible to see a postseason berth for the Buffs.
Hunter’s role: The Jacksonville Jaguars have made Travis Hunter average. They are playing the CU Heisman Trophy winner both ways, but it has shown his versatility and little else. He has 10 catches for 76 yards in 121 offensive snaps. He has allowed five catches on eight targets with nine tackles in 92 defensive snaps. A top-five pick demands greatness, not to be OK on offense and defense. It is time to focus on one side of the ball — preferably receiver — and sprinkle the other side in.
Tom, Tom, Tom: Tom Brady insisting his role as Raiders’ minority owner and FOX broadcaster is not a conflict of interest is laughable. He stated this week in his newsletter that it is his ethical duty “to grow, evolve and improve the game.” Stop with the “Trust Me, bro,” stuff. Existing in both worlds is not fair. But if the other owners don’t care, fine. Just enough with the sanctimonious explanations.
Yes to ABS: MLB will implement the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system in the 2026 season. Each team gets two challenges and keeps them if successful. This is long overdue. Last week alone, a plate umpire missed 25 calls in a single game, per Umpire Auditor. The ABS allows for the human element to remain, but provides an avenue to correct egregious errors. Logic intervenes at last.
Engram, hello: According to Fantasy Points Data, the Broncos have faced more zone coverage than any NFL team at a whopping 83.2%. You know what would exploit a zone defense? A pass-catching tight end. Evan Engram has been ineffective and injured. But Monday night offers an opportunity for the veteran to sit in soft spots and finally give Bo Nix a reliable target in the middle of the field. If Engram cannot steal snaps from Adam Trautman, what is Sean Payton doing?
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