Three takeaways from Colorado's loss to Washington State

The Buffs were never in the game from the start for a rough night in Pullman

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Buffaloes fell behind quickly and never recovered on the way to a 56-14 loss to Washington State on Friday night. It was a terrible outing in Pullman with Deion Sanders' team dropping a fifth straight game to be officially eliminated from postseason contention. Here are three takeaways from the Buffs disastrous defeat. 

Shedeur Sanders finally hit his breaking point 

Shedeur Sanders took a hit on a strip sack in the first quarter and The Colorado Buffaloes QB was in obvious pain and needed help up off the ground. He was replaced by backup QB Ryan Staub not once but twice. It was a valiant effort which resulted in another loss for Sanders and the Buffs with him on the sideline. It was bound to happen with the offensive line allowing over 50 sacks this season. 

Sanders tried his best to be out there, but it wasn't meant to me. Staub and third-string QB Gavin Kuld finished the game for the Buffs. We'll see what happens this week with the Rumble in the Rockies matchup at Utah essentially all for nothing. If Coach Prime was looking toward the future, it's time to pack it in. There's no sense in risking a major injury. 

No bowl game for Buffs

A fifth straight loss means Colorado is eliminated from postseason contention. While none of the oddsmakers figured the Buffs would be participating in a bowl game, they went further than expected and had several chances with four one-score losses down the stretch. A few stops in the Stanford letdown or keeping up USC, along with a made field goal vs. Arizona would've been the difference for Sanders and the Buffs. It's' just three examples, but they were make-or-break to CU's season. 

Wait until next year

If Deion Sanders' first year in Boulder in any indication of the type of foundation for the future, there are a lot of great signs. This Buffs team is young and a majority of them are returning to run it back with a much different outlook in the Big 12. Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders are NFL ready, but they'll be back at CU. That's a huge factor for the process with the core of leaders coming back. 

Let's face it, Colorado needs major help on the offensive line. Tyler Brown has spent a year out of football because the NCAA wanted to prove a point. He's going to use that motivation to his advantage and be a leading on the Buffs O-Line. They've been able to build a better protection package for Shedeur Sanders and restock a few positions in the secondary. They're about six quality guys from being a one-or-two loss team. Anyone who actually knows football can see that. 

Colorado hits the road for the final time against Utah next Saturday. The game time and TV schedule are to be determined.