For much of the Coach Prime era, the Colorado defense couldn’t stop a runny nose. Now, Buffs DC Chris Marve has this unit playing out of their minds. Their record is 2-4, with zero wins in the Big 12. Colorado has 53 tackles for loss through six games. That’s the most in the Big 12 and fourth in the entire country! They aren’t just doing it against the lower-level schools, either. They have shown up and shown out against the best talent in the country.
Photo Cred: CU Athletics
Against No. 8 Texas Tech, they had 12 TFLs. Against the 10th-ranked Utah Utes last week, they had nine, to go along with three sacks on Devon Dampier, one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Don’t just take my word for it. Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris deemed Colorado possibly the best two-win team in the country. After escaping Boulder Saturday night, Utah’s HC Morgan Scalley said, “You look at all metrics that matter, and I don’t know that we should’ve won this game.”
In that game, Colorado held Utah to its lowest point total of the year and snapped its 11-game streak of scoring 30+ points. Our guy @skobuffs on X put together some more insane stats that highlight CU’s defensive prowess so far:
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No opposing running back has rushed for over 100 yards.
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CU has only allowed 10 rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks.
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Four CU players are in the top 10 in total tackles in the Big 12.
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Lamont Lester Jr. is first in sacks in the Big 12, and Toby Anene is seventh.
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No opposing receiver in a Power 4 conference has gone over the 100-yard mark.
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Colorado has allowed three rushing touchdowns all season.
Colorado ranks 123rd in the country in points scored per game, with 19.5. The most points scored against a P4 opponent was the 24 points against Utah. Against P4 opponents in total, the team is averaging 13 a game. The turnovers are ugly as well. CU has a minus-six margin, which ranks 126th nationally. The penalties haven’t helped, either (136th in penalty yards in the nation). And then there’s special teams. Outside of the Utah game, it’s been a noticeably debilitating feature of Colorado football.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
Prior to Utah, it felt like CU was starting every other drive inside its own 10-yard line while also constantly providing short fields for opposing offenses to score points. I can appreciate that the offense — and special teams — took a major step in the right direction against a solid opponent in Utah last week. If this team wants any chance of going bowling, or at least to finish on a high note, they’ll need to play more complementary football and support their defense.
