Travis Hunter evades a tackle from an Oklahoma State University defender during the first half of the game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo., on Nov. 29, 2024. The Buffaloes hosted the Cowboys in a Big 12 conference matchup. (Michael Drapeau/CU Independent)
For the final time, the notorious 2024 Colorado Buffaloes will take the field Saturday. They will play Brigham Young University in San Antonio, Texas for the Valero Alamo Bowl. With both teams hoping to finish their seasons strong with a victory, expectations and tensions are high.
The game will be the swan song for Colorado’s second-ever Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and the projected top NFL draft pick, Shedeur Sanders. The Buffaloes’ offense has produced an impressive performance throughout the season with their versatile receiver group, which will pose a threat against BYU’s secondary.
True freshman receiver Drelon Miller spoke to reporters ahead of Saturday’s game with a clear plan of the team’s mindset.
“Our expectation is to dominate, that’s what we talk about in the [receiver] room … we know what we gotta do to win this game, and we’re gonna take it play by play,” Miller said.
Colorado’s defense struggled in the game against the University of Kansas, which ended their College Football Playoff hopes. The defense allowed more yards than they had all season, which may prove to be a determining factor against BYU’s balanced offense.
In the final game of the regular season, Colorado had a blowout win against Oklahoma State University, which was not enough to revive playoff hopes. But the Senior Day win left the team with the confidence necessary for a solid effort at the Alamo Bowl.
BYU’s preparation must include an answer to Colorado’s pass rush. The Buffs lead the Big 12 with a total of 37 sacks.
The Cougars enter the game with a record of 10-2. They were No.1 in the Big 12 for a majority of the regular season before an unexpected loss to Arizona State University. Their impressive rush game and top-twenty defense in the nation create a challenge for the Buffaloes.
“[They’re] a very sound team, a very technically sound team,” CU sophomore cornerback DJ McKinney said in a pregame press conference. “They’re gonna do their job, they’re gonna execute what their coaches are calling and everything. We just got to be more disciplined than them.”
In hopes of sending senior players like Will Sheppard, LaJohntay Wester, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig out with a win, Colorado’s preparation for the game has been long and extensive ahead of Saturday.
Both teams are bucking the new norm in College Football which sees most seniors planning to enter the NFL draft, skipping non-playoff bowl games. Colorado went as far as getting disability insurance for their seniors to ensure they would play.
This will be the first bowl game of the Coach Prime era for Colorado, and the roster is packed with talent ready to take on the challenge. After going 1-11 in the 2022 season, the Buffs go into San Antonio with a 9-3 record. If the Buffs win, it will be their first bowl game victory since 2004. The Alamo Bowl will take place Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MST in San Antonio, Texas, and will be streamed live on ABC.
Contact CU Independent football writer Julie Torten Rabinowitz at Julie.Torten-Rabinowitz@Colorado.edu
CU Independent managing editor Lincoln Roch contributed to this story
