BYU and Colorado each completed in a four-way tie for first place within the Huge 12 standings, however neither crew had the tiebreaker benefit to succeed in the Huge 12 title sport. That, amongst different elements, led Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis to explain the Alamo Bowl matchup towards the Buffaloes as “the individuals’s” Huge 12 championship sport. And whereas BYU misplaced to Huge 12-champ Arizona State, followers can nonetheless have fun the Cougars as “the individuals’s champion” after a dominant efficiency towards Colorado on Saturday night time.
BYU’s 36-14 win strengthened the Cougars’ postmortem argument for a School Soccer Playoff bid. It additionally marked a sobering conclusion to Colorado’s season, particularly given the hype surrounding the crew main into the weekend.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders performed within the bowl sport and stayed on the sphere effectively into the second half. Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter additionally suited up, taking part in each broad receiver and cornerback for almost each snap whereas the sport was nonetheless aggressive. Whereas the Colorado stars have been praised for not opting out, neither Sanders nor Hunter shall be happy with how their school careers ended.
Sanders completed with 208 yards on 16-of-23 passing, throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions. Hunter added 106 receiving yards and a landing on 4 catches.
Regardless of the loss, there have been nonetheless highlights for Colorado. Hunter delivered a memorable 58-yard run after the catch within the first half and added a landing reception within the third quarter.
BYU appeared rather a lot just like the Cougars crew that roared to a 9-0 begin. They utilized relentless stress on protection, power errors and capitalized on good area place with well timed performs on offense. BYU rendered the high-octane Buffs offense ineffective and constructed a 20-0 halftime lead. If it weren’t for some self-inflicted wounds, the Cougars may need been in a position to draw back by a bigger margin.
“The blokes consider in one another, we have been engaged on this,” BYU coach Kilani Sitake informed ESPN within the moments after the sport went ultimate.
He credited the teaching employees and management on BYU’s roster for his or her preparation heading into the sport, which clearly contributed to the Cougars’ sturdy begin.
Extra issues to learn about BYU’s win towards Colorado and what it means transferring ahead:
BYU’s argument as a contender is bolstered
BYU not solely completed in a tie for first within the Huge 12, additionally they had a win towards a CFP crew (SMU) on their resume. Finally, back-to-back losses in November — together with one to eventual Huge 12 champion and CFP 4-seed Arizona State — undid the Cougars’ Huge 12 title and CFP hopes. All the way in which down at No. 17 within the choice ultimate CFP choice committee’s ultimate rankings, BYU was by no means actually thought of for an at-large spot.
Nonetheless, a dominant efficiency towards a top-25 crew and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is certain to go away Cougars followers wistful about what may need been — particularly given the small margins (9 mixed factors) of their solely two losses on the 12 months.
The post-Shedeur and Travis period at Colorado
Whereas Shedeur Sanders and Hunter have performed their final video games for Colorado, Deion Sanders and his employees have been working to safe the way forward for the Buffs offense during the last couple of weeks. That features signing blue chip quarterback Julian Lewis for the 2025 class and including a dedication from ex-Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter within the switch portal.
Salter shined main Liberty a Convention USA title in 2023 however he, and the Flames, took a step again in 2024. His addition provides an added potential for the quarterback run sport. That must be particularly useful given the way in which Colorado’s offensive line points re-emerged within the loss to BYU.
However Shedeur and Hunter usually are not the one stars that shall be transferring on from Colorado. Most of the Yr 1 switch portal additions have run out of eligibility. The teaching employees might have secured the way forward for the quarterback place, however there may be a number of work at different positions with anticipated participant motion within the coming months.
