Colorado OC drops a blunt remark on Shedeur Sanders & Co's prep for Texas Tech clash: "Stay where our feet are"
As 6-2 Colorado prepares for a road battle at Texas Tech, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur made some waves with his appraisal of the Buffs' situation with an off week this weekend.
"Byes can be very productive if you approach it the right way ... I've heard some conversation about the last four games. I think it's super important that we stay where our feet are and focus all of our attention on Texas Tech," Shurmur said.
Colorado's situation
The Buffs, at 6-2, have assured themselves of bowl eligibility and are even still on the periphery of the battle for a spot in the College Football Playoff. ESPN gives Colorado a 7.4% shot at the Playoff, but that's fourth best in the Big 12. The Buffs have an off week this weekend but then play at Texas Tech for a run of four straight conference games.
Colorado, as Shurmur noted in his comments, had a week off earlier in the season, in Week 6. Colorado came off that with a tough 31-28 loss to Kansas State that has catapulted the Wildcats into the thick of the Big 12 race.
If Colorado can run the table and finish at 10-2, their potential for a Playoff spot would certainly be increased.
Past Colorado Stumbles
Of course, Shurmur's warnings will likely resonate around the Colorado program after 2023. In Deion Sanders's first season, the Buffs opened the season 3-0, including a season-opening win against No. 17 TCU. But after that start, Colorado won just one more game over the remainder of the season and dropped the last six games to miss bowl eligibility.
The Buffs last reached a bowl in 2020, when the COVID-shorted season made way for a 4-1 regular season campaign. Colorado last won six or more games in 2016, when a 10-4 Buffs team lost the Alamo Bowl to Oklahoma State.
What's Pat Shurmur's history?
Shurmur brings his own history into the Colorado job. Shurmur has a 19-46 head coaching record in four NFL seasons. He served as co-offensive coordinator in Colorado in 2023, and before that, his previous job was as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos.
Colorado is averaging 31.4 points per game this season under Shurmur. That's up from 28.2 ppg a season ago. The Colorado offense is largely propelled by QB Shedeur Sanders, 12th in the nation in QB rating and sixth in passing yardage.
What did you think of Shurmur's comments ahead of next week's game with Texas Tech? Share your thoughts below in our comments section!