CU Football 2023 – Victory in Defeat

“One thing that I can say, honestly and candidly: You better get me right now.
This is the worst we’re going to be. So you better get me right now.” – Coach Prime.

Buff Nation –

The assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28, 1914, not only served as the catalyst for the start of WWI, but also indirectly served as the catalyst for the United States’s rise as a global superpower.  Pre-existing political and social tensions, along with a complex web of alliances, provided as the necessary fodder for WWI, which then led to the WWII (Treaty of Versailles), which in turn led to the rebuilding of Europe (Marshall Plan), which ushered in the golden age of the United State as the world’s first modern day superpower.  The USA continues to be a global leader over 100 years later, all because some low-level dignitary in a far-off land took a bullet to the head. Right?

In a similar one thing leads to another series of events, history will show that the Colorado Buffaloes defeat in Oregon this past Saturday will serve as CU’s greatest victory of the season, and will set off a series of events, that will ultimately lead to Colorado winning their second national championship soon.  The sequence of events is below.  Believe. 

1. Shedeur Sanders returns to Colorado for the 2024 season.  The defeat in OR dropped Shedeur’s draft capital enough to where it now makes more sense to return to Colorado for another season of college football and growth.  The hot start Shedeur had in the first three weeks of the season had some projecting him as a top five draft pick.  That is no longer the case.  Coach Prime said that Shedeur takes a back seat to no one.  Playing another year of college ball increases the probability of that happening.
2. Coach Prime returns to Colorado for the 2024 season.  While it was highly doubtful Coach Prime would leave Travis Hunter and the rest of the transfers, after a single season, the return of Shedeur (and hopefully Shilo) leave zero doubt Coach Prime will return for his second season as Colorado’s head coach.
3. CU closes the talent gap.  The OR blow out shined a light on the talent gap that still exists between CO and the top tier schools.  Shedeur and Coach Prime’s return to Colorado in 2024 will facilitate another top transfer class and recruiting class.  The 6-8 dawgs CP continues to mention will sign with CO, and in ‘24 CU will be on par with the top ten teams in the country.
4. Coach Prime receives a long-term market changing contract.  It wasn’t raining when Noah began to build his Ark.  Coach Prime returning to Colorado in ’24 provides a bit of a clear skies forecast, but the storms will be gathering, teams will be calling, and CU will want to make sure it has it’s Ark build before the first drops hit the ground.  No one wants to be around the day Coach Prime leaves town for another program. 
5. CU Goes Bowling in ’23 and Coach Prime wins Coach of the Year – while winning six games in 2023 is not a stretch, and probably not helped by a loss in OR, the repercussions of the defeat in Eugene has exposed some truths about the program that this team can grow from and increase the probability of winning the games they should win (e.g. ASU, AZ, Stanford).  Getting to a bowl is the goal.  That extends CU’s season and exposure to future recruits.  It extends CP’s platform time.  At six (or seven) wins, Coach Prime also earns Coach of the Year.  That, in turn, helps with point #3 above and gives more credence to #4 above.  It’s all related. There is indeed Victory in Defeat.  Thank you, Oregon.

This coming Saturday CU will host #8 USC.  CU will once again have its hands full but will be more competitive and prepared than they were against Oregon.  USC has Caleb Williams leading their team in his final college season before he takes over the reigns for the Denver Broncos as the #1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.  CU has NEVER beaten USC.  This is their last chance before the two teams part ways.  I’m still debating on whether to take the points or not.  CU’s defense makes me queasy.  CU’s offensive line is upsetting.  Travis Hunter out is disappointing.  So many head winds. 

Go Buffs!

Doug