If you watched Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders play in 2023, you understand that he was essentially running for his life behind one of the nation’s worst offensive lines.
That shouldn’t be the case in 2024. When Sanders has time to throw, ESPN’s David Hale pointed out that he’s “borderline unstoppable” in his preseason rankings of FBS starting quarterback tiers. When Sanders wasn’t pressured in the pocket, he completed 76 percent of his passes to go with 16 touchdown passes, zero interceptions and 25 completions of 20 yards or longer.
Colorado started the season 3-1 but finished 4-8 — a vast improvement after going 1-10 in 2023 but still a disappointment. What’s worth pointing out is that the Buffaloes played six ranked teams and in those games Sanders completed 68 percent of his passes, had 14 touchdown passes and just 1 interception.
Also worth pointing out — Colorado went 1-5 in those games and Sanders was sacked 28 times. Sanders projects to be a first-round pick in 2025 and could make a case for the No. 1 overall pick.
The Buffaloes have a brutal schedule to open the season — at home against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State on Aug. 29 then road games against Nebraska and Colorado State before returning home to open Big 12 play against Baylor on Sept. 14.