Colorado vs. 17th-ranked TCU: Three keys to the game

The Buffs come into the game as heavy underdogs

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

A new era begins on Saturday for CU as the Buffs hit the road to open the season against National Champion runner-up TCU down in the Lone Star state.

Kickoff is set for Saturday, Noon ET on FOX.

Both teams will be seeing plenty of new faces on the field as CU had the biggest turnover from last season to this, bringing in over 70 new players to Boulder. Meanwhile, for TCU, most of their losses came on the offensive side of the ball, losing Heisman finalist Max Duggan and first-round draft pick receiver Quinten Johnston. TCU lost eight players to the draft and also hit the transfer portal and brought in seven former SEC players.

QUARTERBACK PLAY

his comes down to experience favoring Shedeur Sanders, who comes in as a junior after transferring from Jackson State. In his time with the Tigers, Sanders started 26 games, throwing for 6,983 yards with 70 TD’s and 14 interceptions. He has been a good decision maker and can make the tough throws when need be.

 intelligent player that understands the game and where he needs to place the ball. Sanders is one of the clear leaders of this team, and his calmness and demeanor lead the way. This will be the first time Colorado fans will get to see the chemistry that he and Travis Hunter already established from their Jackson State days.

Add in University of South Florida transfers Jimmy Horn Jr. and Xavier Weaver as two other weapons with experience for Sanders. Weaver was second for Bulls with 716 yards and with six TDs. Horn Jr. had three touchdowns of his own.

On the other side, TCU loses Duggan and is replaced by Chandler Morris. The transfer began his career at Oklahoma before migrating to TCU prior to the 2021 season. He has played in 13 career games, including getting the start last year against the Buffs before leaving with an injury. Before the exit, Morris was 13-of-20 for 111 yards. A lot has been made about Morris being an accurate passer, and he has the ability to use his feet. The four-star recruit out from Highland Park, Texas, shares the same hometown as Matt Stafford.

D-LINE PRESSURE

The Horned Frogs see two new starters on their offensive line. This is where CU needs to cause problems being aggressive by attacking with various stunts and blitzes to find the gaps and get pressure on Morris. Shane Cokes and Leonard Payne look to bottle up the inside of TCU. Edge rushers Derrick McLendon II and Jordan Domenick will need to stay in their lanes. They can not allow Morris to step up and get outside of the pocket because they got to high up the field in their rush. Good angels and a compact pocket will make it difficult for the inexperienced Morris.

SECONDARY WILL BE HUGE

TCU was 13-0 last year when they won the turnover battle. CU will need to find a way to limit their mistakes on offense and force them on defense. The Horned Frogs are looking to replace their top players in Quinten Johnston, Derius Davis, and Taye Barber, who have all moved onto the NFL. They'll be relying on transfers John Paul Richardson from Oklahoma State and Jojo Ealre, who was with Alabama with Colorado defensive coordinator Charles Kelly.

This Colorado secondary is the best unit and most-hyped unit on this team. Travis Hunter proved at Jackson State that he can take away half the field. Now, we get to see what five-star recruit Cormani McClain can do as teams will look to go after him first since he is the unproven commodity at the moment. Shilo Sanders and holdover Trevor Woods will be tasked with laying the boom on TCU, but they will also have the opportunity to find some air-mailed throws land in their hands.

We get to see that work for the first time. This first game will be the most interesting for CU as no one truly knows what to expect from them and I think Jordan Domenick said it best on BuffsBeat Weekly with Nick Ferguson “You are the work that you put in.”

Today, we get to see that work and what the Black and Gold will really be on the field.