Initial observations from Colorado's 41-27 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Big 12 play at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday. — It’s the defense: The biggest difference between 4-8 and this year’s Big 12 title contender (other than the schedule)? Robert Livingston’s defense, hands down. A year ago, an offensive start like the Buffs had on Saturday would’ve doomed them to chasing the score the rest of the day.
Instead, Livingston’s crew gave Shedeur Sanders & Co. time to figure things out, bottling up Texas Tech's run game and keeping the Red Raiders out of the end zone for six straight possessions after their opening drive. The shallow crossing routes that hurt CU early got taken away (adjustments!), the sacks began to pile up (six, capped by a strip-sack to clinch it), and soon enough, the CU offense found its footing.
— Running on empty: It generally takes two possessions to know whether or not the opposing Big 12 defense has a chance against the Buffs. The big tell: Can they stop the CU run game? If the Buffs are ripping off 4-5 yards a pop, the opponent is cooked. If it’s 2-3 yards on the first few carries, however, CU is in for a dogfight.
The latter was the case in the first quarter Saturday when CU’s running backs had 6 yards on three carries and play-caller Pat Shurmur immediately leaned into a pass-heavy attack. Even with an NFL QB like Shedeur Sanders, some semblance of balance is critical. When the Buffs stray from that, they.