I want to be very clear that I think Shedeur is an amazing QB, and the best Colorado Buffs throwing QB of all time, with likely the most accurate throwing ability I have seen. His accuracy and completion percentage allows him to rack up good yardage. His skillset is perfect for any successful offense and team, when paired with a balanced offense. I always go back to John Elway, and even Peyton Manning and their relationship with the Running Games during their Super Bowl Victories. Championship teams RUN the ball, period, end of story. Rewriting the physics of football just does not work, no matter how good SS is. Is running the ball Personnel, Execution, Play Design, Commitment, ???
1997 Broncos / 3,500 Passing Yards / 2,400 Rushing Yards
1998 Broncos / 3,600 Passing Yards / 2,500 Rushing Yards
2006 Colts / 4,300 Passing Yards / 1,762 Rushing Yards
2015 Broncos / 3,900 Passing Yards / 1,700 Rushing Yards
2023 Chiefs / 4,100 Passing Yards / 1,800 Rushing Yards
2023 Michigan Wolverines / 3,200 Passing / 2,500 Rushing Yards
2023 Colorado Buffs / 3,500 Passing / 828 Rushing Yards (12 Games)
2024 Colorado Buffs (12 Games Projected) / 4,000 Passing / 744 Rushing Yards
I think SS is amazing as well. Easily, CU's the best throwing QB ever, best QB ever. He will be a top-5 QB taken in the draft. Blown away by his stat line Sat, but it was a loss. He set some impressive CU records. I don't think he plays for that, but there were places where he should have either got rid of the ball or threw it away. If winning is foremost, at any position there have to be sacrifices on some plays and even some drives, where they play slower ball control. The difference I saw in SS comparing UCF to KSU was he seemed much more relaxed v. UCF, as if he did not feel that he had to do it all every play. It looked like the game was slower v. UCF, and the running game probably helps that, as does healthy WRs.
The thing about Elway is the three losing Superbowls in the 80's. Only the Giants SB game was somewhat close. The Broncos had some receivers, decent backs (Winder) and Dan Reeves shackled Elway until he let him loose in the 4thQ. They relied on a bland game plan, ball control, defense with a few Elway highlights sprinkled in, then the 4thQ. It took a ton of discipline/tongue biting for Elway to play in Reeves' offense as long as he did. Reeves and Elway clashed but they had a great run, just could not get over the top. With Shanny's arrival it allowed Elway to be a more efficient QB once they added Terrell Davis and other pieces (Shannon Sharpe, Zimmerman, FB--Griffith, etc...) then he went out on top with 2 rings. I'd say Elway was better QB, however Elway was beat up that late in his career and did not have the physical tools that he once did. Much more seasoned.
Elway was in the same class as Marino, who set all the sick passing records of that era, however he only got to the SB only once either his rookie or 2nd year. Marino was the best pure passer of that 83' QB draft class. They were very pass heavy with a ton of ESPN highlights, just could not put together complete games.
IMO, championship teams find the right combo or runnning/passing the ball, play
great defense and above average special teams. Part of the O combo is being able to play some ball control to keep the D off the field when they need to.
I'm think the Buffs will win more games this season, maybe get to 8. We do need to get guys healthy (but that cannot be an excuse), find the O right mix (UCF was great with less pressure on SS to do everything), and move forward as a defense. BL is only 6 games into his D install, so I expect a few more wrinkles. The D had a horrific game pursuit and tackling, however KSU's rb, qb, and others were good/great. Arizona presents the defense both a challange and an opportunity, if the D steps up we will be back on track. Finally, we face a throwing QB and elite WR.
Last thing, the Buffs need to finding a way to ride the home crowd energy, and just crush teams at home. Cinci can be a game where we end it early, and get some guys needed rest.