Deion Sanders and Colorado are preparing to open the 2024 football season with the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field. Last year's event marked the introduction of Coach Prime to Boulder, who was hired as the Buffaloes' head coach three months ago. The Hall of Famer put on a great show in front of a sold-out crowd and his ESPN broadcast to the world for the first time.
A year later, the Buffs hype is still going strong. However, there will not be a build-up like last April. In the second second of the prime, the same celebrity vibe will be on the sidelines, which will attract even more attention. We have a standard set and will get even bigger in 2024.
Colorado's offense runs through Shedur Sanders. Sanders is looking to build on his record-setting year in 2023 with 3,230 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. The Buffs' “improved” QB could have done more damage, but he was held out for the final six quarters. The season I broke my hip. This may be largely due to the fact that CU's offense allowed 56 sacks, the most in the Power Five. However, Sanders and his staff prioritized rebuilding the O-line with new talent, including five-star IMG Academy player Jordan Seaton. This will be the beginning of Sanders' final season in Boulder. He has committed to the 2025 NFL Draft and is projected to be Colorado's highest pick in school history.
Travis Hunter was the most impressive player in college football last year. He played the most snaps in the nation, averaging 116 per game on both sides of the ball. Despite missing three games due to a liver laceration, Hunter was second on the team with 57 receptions, 721 yards, and five touchdowns. He also tied for the team lead with three interceptions, recorded 31 tackles, led the team with five pass deflections, and had two tackles for loss. The 2023 Paul Hornung Award recipient will be in his final year with the Buffs.
Last year, Colorado's defense struggled down the stretch, allowing an average of 453.3 yards and 34.8 points per game, both of which ranked in the bottom 10 nationally. Hunter was one of the most effective cover corners in college football last year. He takes on a senior leadership role as the Buffs add several standout transfers, including a trio of four-star defensive linemen in Pitt's Samuel Okunlola, ASU's BJ Green and LSU's Quency Wiggins. I will be in charge.
Colorado enters 2024 looking to silence the opposition on the back of the hype from Coach Prime's Power Five debut season. Sanders will once again rely on mass transfers to shoulder the burden, but the usual standouts will shine on their way to the league next year. The four wins were a great accomplishment after what was probably the worst season in program history in 2022. Anything short of a postseason appearance would be a disappointment for the Buffs.
2024 Colorado Football Black and Gold Spring Game
Saturday, April 27th
Game time: 3pm ET
TV: Pac-12 Network (Available on Fubo))
Radio: 850 KOA (Mark Johnson, Gary Barnett)
