College Football World Aghast As Colorado Goes Down 42–7 to Washington State at Half

How did the Buffaloes fall so far so fast?

This is not how Colorado’s story was supposed to end.

Go back to September of this season. The Buffaloes were the darling of the sports world. Coach Deion Sanders appeared to have orchestrated an overnight turnaround in Boulder, and Colorado jumped out to a 3–0 start.

The Buffaloes, however, came back to Earth slowly—and then quickly.

First came the losses to ranked teams—to Oregon in a blowout and USC in a nail-biter. Injuries major and minor piled up. One defeat became another became another.

Everything came to a head Friday night in the first half of Colorado’s game against Washington State. The Cougars detonated on the Buffaloes, jumping out to a 42–7 lead thanks to 14 first downs against Colorado’s five.

The college football universe responded by scratching its collective head.

Many pointed to the Buffaloes’ green offensive line, a weak point since the beginning of the season.

In fact, both fans and writers noted that Colorado had taken the long way to where most people thought they would go.

So Colorado ended up having the season most of us expected.

Get destroyed on the lines, Shedeur gets banged up, Buffs get everyone's best shot, won't be bowling in a tough P12.

Still a big improvement from last year, but the nature of the TCU game warped everything.

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 18, 2023

The September version of the Buffaloes became an object of nostalgia.

"The 2023 Colorado Buffaloes from Weeks 1-3"

pic.twitter.com/YwUQZiSb77

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 18, 2023

Fans of other Pac-12 teams howled at Colorado’s overexposure.

I will never forgive FOX and ESPN for shoving Colorado down our throats for 3 whole weeks in September.

— Digital DAM 🦫 (@TheDigitalDam) November 18, 2023

The Buffaloes’ shoddy defensive play was on display for all to see.

Colorado two 5 star DBs ain’t looking too hot right now.

- Travis Hunter pass interference
- Next play Cormani McClain gets torched and called with PI that got overturned somehow
- Cormani McClain getting torched pt.2
- Cormani McClain getting torched pt.3 pic.twitter.com/NGA8WSH7JL

— Jason Erhardt (@JasonErhardt30) November 18, 2023

Topical jokes flew.

"I spoke with Colorado head coach Deion Sanders at halftime, and he said everything is looking fine." pic.twitter.com/mQXh2dw4tX

— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) November 18, 2023

Colorado fans grew increasingly unmoored.

Me having to watch the Colorado offensive line every week pic.twitter.com/HYlFWEtHHu

— Tommy Gahan (@tommysgahan) November 18, 2023

Only a mercy rule seemed able to save the Buffaloes now.

Wazzu vs Colorado right now. pic.twitter.com/EhuPHgdBaQ

— Joe Hedberg (@JoeInOregon87) November 18, 2023

Washington State went on to beat Colorado, 56–14.