The Buffaloes are roaming.
No. 17 Colorado (8-2, 6-1 in Big 12) drilled Utah (4-6, 1-6 in Big 12) in an emphatic 49-24 Week 12 win to keep its hope of earning an automatic CFP bid alive.
Heisman front-runner Travis Hunter may have sealed the 2024 award with another unreal two-way performance.
At cornerback, he recorded his third interception of the season on a first-quarter pass deflected by Buffaloes cornerback Colton Hood.
Hunter added 55 yards on five receptions and a rushing touchdown at wide receiver, including an incredible leaping catch between two defenders on a fourth-and-eight in the second quarter.
Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who rebounded from a first-play interception by going 30-of-41 for 340 yards the rest of the game, led the way, much like the duo did in 2023 when Colorado finished the season 4-8.
The talent surrounding Hunter and Sanders has made Colorado a contender in the Big 12.
Freshman wide receiver Drelon Murphy had one of the best plays of the game, catching a seam pass from Sanders at Utah’s 26-yard line, breaking a tackle attempt at the 15-yard line and dragging a defender toward the end zone before coming free near the goal line for a 47-yard touchdown.
The defense, a weak point last season, created multiple havoc plays. Colorado had nine tackles for loss, five pass breakups, four sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Special teams even got involved, with wide receiver LaJohntay Wester returning a punt 76 yards in the first quarter.
While Utah has been one of college football’s biggest disappointments after entering the season as the favorite to win the Big 12, Colorado’s sizable win over the Utes is still eye-opening.
The 25-point margin of defeat is Utah’s largest since a 35-6 loss to Oregon in October 2023.
In Week 11, the Utes lost by one, 22-21, to No. 6 BYU (9-0, 6-0 in Big 12).
The Cougars and Buffaloes are trending toward meeting in the Big 12 championship game.
However, with four teams at 4-2 in conference play, Colorado, in particular, can’t afford a letdown over the final two weeks of the regular season.
Fortunately for head coach Deion Sanders, the Buffaloes are peaking at the right time. They have won four in a row by an average of 19.3 points per game.
Their final two opponents, Kansas and Oklahoma State, are a combined 6-13, including 2-11 against Big 12 competition.
The way Colorado has played recently, winning the Big 12 is certainly possible.
