Colorado's run defense hits rock bottom
- Leo Rivera IV
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Run the football. A saying as old as the sport itself, but one that coaches have been committed to against Deion Sanders’ team.
The Colorado Buffaloes (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) can’t stop the run, and haven’t been able to all season. In their 53-7 humiliation by the Utah Utes (6-2, 3-2 Big 12), every crack in the defense's armor was exploited by the Utah rushing attack.
It was no secret that Colorado’s weakness has been in the trenches, giving up an average of over 200 yards per game before their trip to Salt Lake City. The accumulation of these failures reached its peak when the Utes hung 43 points on the defense in one half.
“422 yards rushing (for Utah). You ain't winning. You are not winning,” Sanders said. “At 300 yards, you are not winning. 250, you are not winning. It is not capable.”
Sanders and the staff have been well aware of the problem this season, yet nothing’s changed. Now, after their recent defeat, the average is up to 217 given up per game. The five losses tell a story that maybe the issue can’t be fixed for the 2025 team.
Week one against Georgia Tech, the Yellowjackets hit 320 yards rushing, and Colorado lost. At Houston, the Cougars went for 209, and against the Brigham Young Cougars, they gave up 208, all in losing efforts. Even in wins against the Wyoming Cowboys and the Iowa State Cyclones, the Buffs gave up 150+ on the ground.
On the road against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs was the only loss where the Buffs kept their opponent under 100 yards rushing; however, Kaidon Salter’s three interceptions provided short field for the TCU offense to work with. The win against the Delaware Blue Hens was a season high for Colorado, limiting them to 84 yards, yet the difference in skill was evident.
Even in the successful efforts, the defense hasn’t had much to hang their hats on. Colorado’s lineman with the most tackles has been defensive end Arden Walker, who has 32 total and just 1.5 sacks. The inconsistency from the interior and edge has been a factor in the losses, while the depth mentioned in the preseason has been nowhere to be found.
"It starts with me. It starts with the coaching staff,” Sanders said postgame in Utah. “Let's forget the guys for a minute. Let's start at the top."
On the defensive line coaching staff, two notable former players have been responsible for helping prepare the unit. Hall of Famer Warren Sapp and 15-year veteran Domata Peko dominated their positions during their respective times, yet their coaching has not resonated with the players as of yet.
Colorado’s experience on the staff has been a calling card for their recruitment, yet Sanders admits they are still getting outcoached. Getting run over repeatedly is demoralizing and has contributed to the team's frustration after losses.
Although there have been numerous reasons for Colorado’s struggles, and they can’t all be put in one place, it’s clear that until the Buffs solve the issue, they will struggle to win games.
Whether it's coaching or player execution, nobody seems to have an answer. For Colorado, that may mean finding different recruits or transfers this offseason who could fill the role, or changing the coaches' responsibilities.
Colorado has four games to find a fix, if one exists, and return home against the Arizona Wildcats, Saturday at 5:00 p.m. on Fox.