5 takeaways from Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes Spring Game 2024
The Colorado Buffaloes had their second and final Black and Gold Game to end the spring practice season. The weather may have been rainy and the results do not matter in the grand scheme of things but this Colorado program looks to be moving in the right direction for the 2024 college football season. Let's dive into a few of the takeaways from the game.
Takeaways from the Colorado Spring Game
#1: This Colorado team is going to be different
Whether you love the Colorado Buffaloes or are not a fan, Year 2 of Deion Sanders in charge of the program seems to be a lot better than the first. The team looked significantly better and has another year to gel together. The team as a whole looked extremely well in this scrimmage game and moving conferences gives them a bit more excitement.
#2: Offensive line has improved
One of the biggest weaknesses for the Colorado Buffaloes last season was the inability to provide time for Shedeur Sanders. Coach Prime completely overhauled the offensive line and saw the quintet of Jordan Seaton, Tyler Brown, Hank Zlinskas, Justin Mayers and Kahlil Benson working as a unit for the first time.
They did well as the first-time offensive line allowed one sack and few pressures in the game. This is definitely a good sign for a team that struggled to win in the trenches.
#3: Question marks in the backfield
There were a lot of changes for the running game of the Buffs as they had seen Dylan Edwards, Sy'veon Washington and Alton McCaskill all leaving the program. While fans were excited to see how things would look, the question marks were not able to get answered in this Black and Gold Game.
Their running backs Micah Welch and Charlie Offerdahl were unable to suit up for this game due to injuries and the other running backs have not made it to campus yet so the running back situation was weakened. Isaiah Hardge, a wide receiver who has moved to defensive back this offseason, was in the backfield so the questions surrounding the running game are still there.
#4: LaJohntay Wester will be a playmaker
The offense is going to be intriguing to watch and slot receiver LaJohntay Webster has been one of the bright spots from the transfer portal. He finished the game with three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. It seems like his blazing speed could be great as that was only with Wester playing a handful of drives. This gives less pressure to two-way star Travis Hunter to perform on the offensive side of the field.
#5: Prepare for the bowl game
While this happened after the game, the Colorado Buffaloes are going to improve record-wise, according to their head coach. After the Black and Gold Game, coach Deion Sanders took the microphone and told the crowd the team's goal is to get to a bowl game this season.
Last year, the Buffs looked in prime position with their success but they were brutal against their Pac-12 opponents to the point where they missed the bowl game entirely.