Colorado Daily – Oklahoma State Week

November 30th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Coach Prime confirms stars will play in bowl game: “We’re not going to tap out, because that throws off the structure of next season”

From CUBuffs.com … After coaching his sons since they were youngsters, Colorado’s Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders marked the last time he will coach his sons at Folsom Field.

They went out in style, each playing a key role in the Buffaloes’ 52-0 win over Oklahoma State in the regular season finale. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw for 438 yards and five touchdowns. Safety Shilo Sanders notched his second fumble recovery of the season, leading to a CU touchdown.

Sanders and all three of his sons — Deion Jr., (who now heads a prominent social media company focused on his father’s team), Shilo and Shedeur — shared a moment together on the field.

“I didn’t really think about it until watching the last seconds tick off the clock like, ‘Dang, this is it,'” an emotional Coach Prime said. “You know how long this journey’s been with me and my kids. It’s been a lot of ups and downs and in and outs and things you guys don’t know about that we’ve overcome in a lot of adverse situations. A lot of highlights. It’s been unbelievable to think that that’s the conclusion of the matter. Just here, that’s tough. That’s tough.”

Of course, the Buffs’ season isn’t over. CU still has hopes of playing in next weekend’s Big 12 championship game — and even if they don’t earn that berth, they will still play in a bowl game.

Coach Prime made it clear he expects all his players, including Shedeur and Travis Hunter, to play in the bowl game. It has become more and more common in recent years for players expected to be taken high in the NFL Draft to skip bowl games.

“Our kids are going to play in our bowl game, because that’s what we signed up to do,” Coach Prime said. “We’re going to finish. We’re not going to tap out, because that throws off the structure of next season. It’s a couple teams, you take note, they laid an egg in the bowl game and they haven’t recovered. We don’t plan on doing that. We plan on going out there fighting just like we fought today, regardless of where we are.”

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Travis Hunter wins Buffalo Heart Award

From the Daily Camera … In two years at Colorado, Travis Hunter have proven to be one of the greatest players to ever suit up for the Buffaloes.

He also proved to be a tough, win-first player who endeared himself to the fans. And, on Friday, Hunter was honored with the Buffalo Heart Award, awarded by fans each year and created by CU fans Pat Grimes, Craig Augustin and Ashley and Thaddeus Cernac in 1998.

Perhaps two weeks away from becoming just the second Heisman Trophy winner in CU history, Hunter capped his time at Folsom Field with 10 catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns on offense, along with an interception and two pass breakups on defense in a 52-0 win against Oklahoma State on Friday.

“Just getting invited (to the Heisman ceremony on Dec. 14), that’s a win for sure because how many players go into the off season doing the same regimen, workout?” CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders said of Hunter as a Heisman candidate, as well as what he’s meant to the Buffs. “Everything is just what difference are you gonna make when the lights get on? And Travis proved that week after week, throughout injuries and throughout everything. He’s the life of our team.”

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November 28th

… CU in a few minutes …

Neill Woelk’s Keys to the Oklahoma State game

From CUBuffs.com … If there’s anything that’s been proven this year in the Big 12, it is that nothing is certain — and the Cowboys would like nothing better than to avoid becoming the only winless team in Big 12 conference play while also throwing a wrench in CU’s plans as a bonus.

OSU did provide a glimmer of hope last week by scoring 48 points against Texas Tech. The only problem was the Cowboys gave up 56.

In short, the situation appears to be a golden opportunity for CU’s offense to put up some big numbers, which leads us to our weekly Fast Five:

1. Attack the OSU secondary. The Cowboys are giving up more than 260 yards per game in the air and have yielded 21 passing touchdowns this season.

Those are the kinds of numbers that should have Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his wide receivers salivating. If the Buffs offensive line gives Sanders some time to throw, CU’s receivers will be running free in the OSU secondary and Colorado should put plenty of points on the board.

2. Start fast. This is an opportunity for the Buffs to deliver a knockout punch in a hurry.

The Cowboys had to travel on Thanksgiving. They have lost eight in a row and have almost nothing to gain — other than not becoming the only team in the Big 12 not to win a conference game this year.

Colorado needs to erase any motivation OSU might have early. If the Buffs can put a couple of quick scores on the board, it could be the kind of haymaker that puts the Cowboys out of their misery and allows CU to celebrate Senior Day in style.

3. Play with an edge. Coach Prime didn’t mince words last week when he said too many Buffs might have become intoxicated with success.

Now it’s time for Colorado to return to playing with that chip on their shoulder. The Buffs are at their best when they play like they have something to prove.

They have plenty to prove against the Cowboys.

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November 27th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Coach Gary “Flea” Harrell talks about running back rotation for OSU

From YouTube, courtesy of BuffStampede.com

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November 26th

… CU in a few minutes … 

*Coach Prime’s Weekly Press Conference*

… “A tough week, of course, but we plan to respond accordingly … We plan to get our swagger back … Mike Gundy is real, honest, and hilarious … We know they will want to run the ball … Both teams still have a great deal to play for … Hope has been replaced by expectation, which is why our fans our frustrated, and I can appreciate that … Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders finalists for several awards … Travis not a finalist for the Thorpe Award (given to to the nation’s best defensive back) … You can have my Thorpe award. I’m going to give mine to Travis … How could he not be a finalist for the Thorpe Award? … We have to do a better job of getting these guys prepared … This week, we’re coming to win and to dominate … Will Shedeur and Travis play in a bowl? Yes … These seniors have done a great job of getting us to this point, and we’ll want to end this thing on the right note … Whatever bowl game we go to, you’re going to see everything you’ve seen throughout the season … We’re going back to the drawing board, and let’s get it on. We can’t harbor on the last game … I’m not going to wish for other teams to lose … I’m not going to watch the games on Saturday – we had our chance … Defensive lineman Shane Cokes will be back in the lineup Friday … Running back Isaiah Augustave will also be back this week … Defensive lineman Amari McNeill and right tackle Phillip Houston are out … An “outside shot” that Jimmy Horn will be able to play …

Also … Wide receiver Will Sheppard

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November 25th

… CU in a few minutes …

OSU game unlikely to sell out

Tweet from Brian Howell at the Daily Camera … As of this afternoon (Monday), Colorado has about 4,000 tickets available for Friday’s game against Oklahoma State. Most of those are unclaimed student tickets, with many students heading home for Thanksgiving break.

Coach Prime grateful for the short week: “You gotta flush it and get it on and let’s go to the next window”

From the Daily Camera … Following a humbling defeat on Saturday in Kansas City, Colorado doesn’t have much time to regroup, and that suits head coach Deion Sanders just fine.

Sanders and his 23rd-ranked Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2 Big 12) will face Oklahoma State (3-8, 0-8) in the regular season finale at Folsom Field on Friday (10 a.m., ABC). The Buffs will be looking to rebound from a 37-21 loss to Kansas that ended their four-game winning streak and dented their chances of reaching the Big 12 title game.

“We’re thankful that we have one less day, pretty much,” Sanders said after the game. “We’re thankful because now you just, you gotta flush it and get it on and let’s go to the next window.”

Although CU has been playing well most of the season, there’s a lot to fix going into Friday’s game.

Defensively, the Buffs had their worst performance of the season, giving up a season-high 520 yards in offense, including 331 rushing yards — the most allowed by a CU defense since the 2022 finale.

Continue reading story here

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November 24th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Big 12 Press release: Title game tie-breakers

… The math is simple for Colorado … The Buffs need to win, and have two of the other Big 12 6-2 teams lose (there is a few three-way ties in which the Buffs qualify – see the Big 12 release, below – but it would require a significant dominos to fall, starting with BYU having to lose to Houston).

CU plays Oklahoma State (Friday, 10:00 a.m., MT, ABC). Other games involving Big 12 6-2 teams:

  • No. 14 Arizona State at Arizona … Saturday, 1:30 p.m., MT, Fox
  • Kansas State at No. 17 Iowa State … Saturday, 5:30 p.m., MT, Fox
  • Houston at No. 19 BYU … Saturday, 8:15 p.m., MT, ESPN

Standings: 

  • No. 14 Arizona State … 6-2; 9-2
  • No. 17 Iowa State … 6-2; 9-2
  • No. 19 BYU … 6-2; 9-2
  • No. 23 Colorado … 6-2; 8-3
  • Kansas State … 5-3; 8-3
  • Baylor … 5-3; 7-4
  • TCU … 5-3; 7-4
  • West Virginia … 5-3; 6-5
  • Kansas … 4-4; 5-6
  • Cincinnati … 3-5; 5-6
  • Houston … 3-5; 4-7
  • UCF … 2-6; 4-7
  • Arizona … 2-6; 4-7
  • Utah … 1-7; 4-7
  • Oklahoma State … 0-8; 3-8

Press release from the Big 12 … Entering Week 14, nine teams are still in contention for the Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship. The following details tiebreaking scenarios for ties among teams with 7-2 Big 12 records:

  • Two-team tie scenarios:
    • The two tied teams at 7-2 will be the Championship game participants.
  • Three-team tie scenarios:
    • Colorado loss: Arizona State vs. Iowa State
    • Arizona State loss: Iowa State vs. BYU
    • Iowa State loss: Arizona State vs. BYU
    • BYU loss:
      • If Texas Tech defeats West Virginia, then
        • If Baylor beats Kansas and Cincinnati beats TCU: Colorado vs. Iowa State
        • Otherwise: Colorado vs. Arizona State
      • If West Virginia defeats Texas Tech: Arizona State vs. Iowa State
  • Four-team tie scenario:
    • Arizona State vs. Iowa State
  • For teams who are 5-3 entering the week, they must win and see at least three of the four 6-2 teams take a loss

Coach Prime: “We controlled our own destiny, and we fumbled it”

From the Daily Camera … Shedeur Sanders (266 passing yards, three touchdowns) and Travis Hunter (eight catches for 125 yards, two touchdowns) put up some big numbers for the CU offense, but this was a costly defeat the Buffs, who could have taken over sole possession of first place in the Big 12 with one week to play.

Instead, the Buffs go into next week’s finale in a multi-team tie atop the standings and likely needing some help to get into the Big 12 title game. The Buffs’ goals are still in front of them, but the path isn’t so clear.

“I already did (relay that message to the team),” Coach Prime said. “Trust me, we just did. When you’re in control of your own destiny, it’s a phenomenal thing. I don’t just think about football, I think about life. So the message to these young men, if God were to grant you every darn thing you needed in life: all the ability, the thought process, the connections, the visuals, and you don’t do nothing with it, that’s on you, and that’s where we are. We controlled our own destiny, and we fumbled it.”

Why the Buffs fumbled goes back to the week leading up to the game, Coach Prime said. The recent four-game win streak and leap in the rankings had the nation heaping praise on the Buffs.

“We started smelling ourselves a little bit,” Coach Prime said. “That’s what I just told our team. We got intoxicated with success, we got intoxicated with the multitude of articles and the assumption that we’re this and assumption that we’re that, and we did not play CU football. Therefore we got our butts kicked. It is what it is.”

As he always does, Coach Prime brought plenty of confidence into the game, but he also tried guarding against this type of effort.

“Well, we tried to handle it in the meetings,” he said. “Some folks you can’t put behind microphones, and you can’t give them podcasts. You can’t do that because they get intoxicated with the success and you know who that is, so you try your best to eliminate that, but they can’t stop reading the stuff about who we are.

“That’s a little tough, so you try to humble everything around you, including yourself. You try your best to do such, because you know what you have in the locker room. I know my kids, man, I know all of them.”

The only other time CU got manhandled like this was in Week 2 at Nebraska. CU responded by routing Colorado State the next week to kickstart a three-game win streak.

Coach Prime and Shedeur hope the Buffs can do the same thing this time around as they prep to host Oklahoma State (3-8, 0-8) on Friday (10 a.m., ABC).

“It’s 24 hours, wins and losses, the same thing,” Shedeur said of getting past this loss. “You don’t change the recipe based off the result. Do the same thing week in and week out, and this week it didn’t go our way. So we just have to go 24 hours, look at it, see what went wrong, and head into next week and be ready for next game.”

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