In what was the most highly anticipated contest of Week-1 this game on the campus of Texas Christian University in Amon G. Carter Stadium turned out to be the most watched telecast of the day on any network with FOX scoring a record audience. And it most certainly lived up to all the hype and anticipation. When you consider where the Colorado program has been for years it was one of the most exciting football games and dramatic turn-arounds I’ve ever watched. I mean yes, TCU is not the same team as last year, but it’s clear that neither is Colorado and the quality of talent that Deion Sanders, aka Coach “Prime”, has been able to attract to the program is more than impressive, none more-so than his son and starting QB for the Buffaloes, Shedeur, who was brilliant connecting on 80% of his passes for 510 yards—a Colorado record—4 TD’s and no interceptions in what was a shocking 45-42 victory against the Horned Frogs in their own backyard after being a three touchdown underdog going into the game.
Holding TCU to a three-and-out on their first possession Colorado took the ball and drove 73 yards in 13 plays culminating in a 4 yard TD pass from Sanders to Freshman Dylan Edwards to take a 7-0 lead, a connection that would repeat itself two more times during a game in which Edwards would be the recipient of 5 catches for 135 yards and 3 TD’s, a whopping 27 yard average per reception—the most dramatic being a 75 yard strike on the 2nd play from scrimmage to start the 2nd half to put Colorado up by 10, 24-14. And he wasn’t the only receiver with big numbers for Colorado as Travis Hunter, Xavier Weaver, and Jimmy Horn Jr. all accounted for well over 100 yards each. Edwards, who is actually listed as a running back, picked up a fourth TD with under a minute left in the 3rd Qtr to put Colorado—trailing at the time—back up 31-28. Although Colorado’s running game left a lot to be desired, only picking up 55 yards on 34 carries, it was clear that they were reacting to what the defense was allowing which led to Sanders throwing it up almost 50 times.
TCU QB Chandler Morris connected on slightly under 60% of his throws for 279 yards, 2 TD’s, and two interceptions. The Horned Frogs were highly effective on the ground and Colorado will need to shore up their run defense after giving up 262 yards and 4 TD’s on just 37 attempts, an average of 7.1 yards per carry. It’s an area where you would expect other teams to exploit as the Buffaloes secondary is outstanding, led by two-way player and 5-star recruit Travis Hunter who was jaw droppingly brilliant the entire game while participating in over 120 snaps in 100+ degree weather. He recorded 11 receptions for 119 yards and even more importantly, a huge interception right in front of the end zone on 3rd and 1 at the Colorado 4 yard line which prevented TCU from going ahead in the game at the time. It was a close game as the box score indicates with Colorado just edging out TCU in first downs, 30-27, and total yards, 565-541. On the defensive side of the ball TCU was actually more effective trying to stop Colorado, recording 78 total tackles, 4 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. Deion’s other son, Shilo, led the Colorado defense with 10 tackles, 9 solo.
Up next for Coach Prime is their home opener in Folsom Field on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder—a game that is already sold out with the average cost of tickets on the resell market up to an average of $400.00. With 50,000 people coming out to see their spring game on a snowy day in April it’s not a surprise that the whole town is coming out ago see their game against Nebraska, also making a fresh start with their new head coach, Matt Rhule—former head coach at Temple, Baylor and the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. Regarding the interest in this game and the Colorado turn-around there are more wagers on it than 14 of the 16 NFL games this week with 80% of the market on the Buffaloes to cover a -3 point spread. Interesting to note that before Week-1 Colorado opened as a +7.5 underdog to Nebraska.