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The Buffaloes needs a reboot before Pac-12 play.
The Colorado Buffaloes dropped their second non-conference game of the season on Saturday with a brutal 41-10 loss at Air Force. We learned more about the identity of this year’s team and for better or worse, this feels like a big rebuilding process in the making.
Help wanted: The offense needs some badly
Colorado took a step forward by starting JT Shrout at quarterback, but took another two steps back with his performance on Saturday afternoon. We hoped that he would get the opportunity in Colorado Springs because Shrout played better late in the opening loss vs. TCU. However, it’s a bit strange that Lewis didn’t get a shot with Shrout’s struggles and the less than ideal weather.
Shrout finished going 5-of-21 for 51 yards with an interception.
We don’t know yet what kind of impact the cold, wet weather and wind had on Shrout’s grip and ability to throw the ball, but what we saw Saturday was not the answer.
1-11 could be a real possibility
If you look at the remaining games on CU’s schedule there is only one (maybe two) games where it’s reasonable the Buffs could pull off a victory with this level of play. Maybe not even that many. Outside of Oct. 15 vs. Cal, forget about having a legit shot for a ‘W’ barring a major injury or a turn around from the offense. It’s a rough Pac-12 schedule with Oregon, at No. 10 USC, at Washington, and No 13 Utah in November. Don’t be surprised if Colorado’s record this year is one of the worst in nearly a decade.
Nobody is safe
Karl Dorrell came into the season seeking improvements from the 4-8 record in 2021. A record number of players transferring out of Boulder was concerning and set the program back. Colorado is one of the youngest teams in FBS, but that was also the case in Mike MacIntyre’s first year.
What can CU do to overcome the experience gap?
It will take time. But loss after loss will take a toll on the program and in the transfer portal era, players don’t have to stick around and wait for it. They need to see improvement to hold on to any optimism for the future.
How much time can this administration give Karl Dorrell? Things are heading the wrong way currently and it will take quite the reversal of fortunes for that to change. Nebraska just paid $7M+ to get rid of Scott Frost because they saw the damage he was doing to the program. When does Colorado start to ask itself the same question?
With the loss to AFA, Colorado moved to 10-12 under Dorrell. Six of those wins came in the Covid-shortened 2020 season.
by Jeff Hauser
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