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A look at Colorado’s offense and their playcaller
The Buffaloes are in the midst of a strong season. They’re 6-2 and 4-1 in conference play heading into their next matchup against Texas Tech, and the offense’s ability to put points on the board is a big reason why. Fans will remember that midway through last season, Colorado shifted from their former offensive coordinator to Pat Shurmur, and they haven’t looked back since. This season, Colorado has scored at least 28 points in seven of their first eight games. Today, we’re diving into why they’ve found such remarkable success. To understand this offense, you have to understand Pat Shurmur—so here’s a look at his career and why his name may sound familiar.
Pat’s Background:
Shurmur was a coach in the National Football League for 21 seasons and spent four years as the head coach for both the Giants and Browns. His most recent NFL role was with the hometown Broncos as offensive coordinator, though he only held that position for two seasons before being let go.
Shurmur’s skills in the NFL were better suited to the offensive coordinator role rather than head coach. His head coaching record of 19-46 isn’t one that keeps you in the job for long. Despite his lack of success as a head coach, his 21-year career in the pros underscores his ability to thrive as a coordinator and play-caller.
Deion Sanders originally brought Pat in as an offensive analyst, with his exact role undefined. As last season progressed and we saw some disarray in the building, and Shurmur stepped into the coordinator role with noticeable success. His scheme had evolved to fit the college game and that showed in some growing pains between last season and now. Here’s what has impressed me so far this season in both phases.
The Scheme:
The Run Game:
This Colorado offense resembles some of the zone-run, shotgun-centric offenses we see in the NFL today, like the Eagles. Shurmur keeps Shedeur in the shotgun almost 100% of the time, which is common in today’s game, but it’s understood that everything starts with the run. Running out of shotgun formations can be challenging, and early in the season, fans noticed the play calling was conservative and a bit generic.
As the season progressed and trust was built, Colorado’s run game gradually became more dynamic, largely thanks to Shurmur’s zone/gap scheme run concepts. These concepts rely on running backs to be patient as holes develop, and for linemen to be both agile and powerful when needed. This coaching staff realized over time that Isaiah Augustave is the best fit for this scheme. His patience and ability to keep his legs moving have been game-changers in sustaining drives. When the run game is working well, the goal is to keep defenses honest and open up opportunities for the passing game.
The Passing Game:
Colorado’s passing attack has been nothing short of special, and many consider it the best in the Big 12. It all starts with the personnel, as Shurmur was fortunate to inherit two of the best players in college football: Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Like most modern offenses, Shurmur’s system relies heavily on the quarterback’s arm and decision-making, but the real intrigue is in the receiver usage.
With perhaps the best receiving corps in the nation, it’s no surprise this is where Colorado’s offense shines. The foundation of their passing game is Travis Hunter’s ability to win one-on-one routes, find soft spots in zone coverage, and draw double teams at the second level. Shurmur uses a combination of duo and trio receiver stacks on the perimeter and uses the other receivers to exploit mismatches after Travis has drawn the double team. Pat also almost always works the strong side of the field, which is typical with college football’s wider hash marks, but some teams still prefer boundary play, especially with power runs.
If Hunter can get open, he’s usually the first read, and the ball comes out fast. But if he’s covered, Colorado’s supporting cast, Will Sheppard and LaJohntay Wester, have the tools to get open, and Shurmur does a great job of putting receivers in positions to succeed. Sheppard is the go-to deep threat, often working toward the boundary, while Wester is the smaller, quicker receiver who opens up the quick passing game with motions and short routes to exploit mismatches across the middle.
Another notable name is Jimmy Horn. Jr., the slot receiver, but after struggling the last few games of the season he just hasn’t had as big of an impact as many expected. Expect Jimmy Horn Jr. to still make some big plays out the slot, and teams begin to better diagnose this offense and cover Sheppard and Wester. Defenses can try to contain this teams top players, but this offense may still be too dynamic.
Performance This Season:
As noted earlier, Colorado’s offense has scored 28 points or more in all but one game this season. The play calling adapts as the game goes on, and Shurmur puts receivers in positions to exploit mismatches he identifies. The Buffaloes have four receivers with over 390 yards and two receivers with at least seven touchdowns through just seven games. This dynamic offensive attack starts with smart play calling and the threat of Travis Hunter, allowing the offense to utilize every player.
I believe Shurmur has a deep understanding of the game and excels in both play design and play calling. Not only does he know when to dial up the right play, but the design and execution are often equally impressive. With Shurmur’s star players receiving first-round draft consideration, it’s likely he’ll have job offers at any level of football. However, his ideal role may remain as a coordinator, rather than a head coach, at the pro level.
Outlook:
Who knows what the future holds for Pat Shurmur. Depending on how strong Colorado finishes the season, Shurmur may once again receive professional offers. I’m not sure if he has aspirations to return to the pros or if he prefers the college level, but his recent success in play calling makes him valuable at either level. Don’t expect Shurmur to stay in Boulder if Deion leaves, but as long as Deion stays, Shurmur should be the play caller. Personally, I’d love to see him take on a head coaching role in college, but only time will tell.
by Jacob.Thompson
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