No. 23 Colorado (9-3) vs. No. 17 BYU (10-2)
When/where: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28/Alamodome, San Antonio
TV/Radio: ABC/850 KOA
BetMGM Line: CU -5.5, 54.5 over/under
Series history: CU 7-3-1; Cougars won last matchup 20-17 in Freedom Bowl in 1988
CU bowl history: 12-18, lost four in a row, last win was 2004 Houston Bowl over UTEP
Last time Buffs were here
Colorado’s last bowl appearance was the 2020 Alamo Bowl under coach Karl Dorrell. After CU went 4-1 in the regular season with a COVID-shortened schedule, the Buffs took on Texas at the Alamodome. The No. 20 Longhorns trounced them, 55-23, as current Atlanta Falcons tailback Bijan Robinson ran wild. Robinson had 10 rushes for 183 yards and a TD, as well as two receiving TDs. Texas took a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter and didn’t look back. Sam Noyer started at QB for the Buffs, but after two first-quarter interceptions, was pulled in favor of now-Nevada QB Brendon Lewis.
Notable transfer portal losses
Only one key player is leaving: linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, who was CU’s second-leading tackler with 82 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He was second-team All-Big 12 and entered the portal on Dec. 16.
Four storylines
12 and 2’s last hurrah: The bowl will be the final chance to see a pair of CU greats in black and gold before Heisman Trophy-winning wideout/cornerback Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders enter the NFL Draft. Hunter made it clear he wants to finish his college career with a strong performance. Sanders, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner, is two touchdowns from breaking CU’s all-time TD passing record and threw for at least 300 yards seven times this year.
BYU’s top-ranked D: The Cougars had the Big 12’s top-ranked scoring defense this year with 20.1 points allowed per game. BYU allowed 136.7 rushing yards per game (sixth-best in the conference) and 180.3 passing yards per game (second). The Cougars are led by a pair of playmaking linebackers in Harrison Taggart and Isaiah Glasker. But the unit has shown weakness at times this year, giving up 35 points to Oklahoma State and 28 in a loss to Arizona State. CU’s array of weapons could expose BYU.
Complementary football: Both teams have a list of players who could swing this game. BYU’s had 17 players score TDs this year, while CU’s had 11. The BYU ground game features tailback LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati, while quarterback Jake Retzlaff can also use his legs to score. And the Buffs’ options in the passing game are diverse: Beyond Hunter, LaJohntay Wester (10 TDs) and Will Sheppard (6) are also game-breakers.
Battle up front: The CU defensive front has been a pillar of the team’s success this fall with a Big 12-leading 37 sacks for 233 yards. BJ Green II’s had a monster year with 7.5 sacks, while Cherry Creek’s Arden Walker is second on the team with 4.5. Getting pressure on the dual-threat Retzlaff, and containing him in the pocket when he attempts to scramble, will be key. BYU’s protection has been solid this season with just 16 sacks allowed, much better than CU’s Big 12-worst 39 sacks allowed.
Predictions
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: CU 34, BYU 28
The Buffs’ offensive weaponry is too much for the Cougars, especially after CU takes a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter. Travis Hunter puts a stamp on his Heisman Trophy season with an interception and 100 yards receiving. BYU faded down the stretch of the season, barely beating Utah before losses to Kansas and Arizona State. That trend continues to seal CU’s bowl victory.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CU 33, BYU 30
When Coach Prime means business, you’re in trouble. When CU brings its stars to the party and vows to unleash them, you’re in trouble. The Cougs destroyed K-State with the kind of defensive muscle up front that could give Shedeur Sanders serious pocket problems and make the run game an uphill battle. Guess what? Won’t matter. Shedeur’s just … better. Travis Hunter? Just … better. Some scripts write themselves, and the script for this one has one more glorious ride for The Sanders Family in CU gold before the next chapter begins.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: CU 31, BYU 28
Want a fun exercise? Go down CU’s schedule and try to figure out which was the best team the Buffs beat this fall. Was it one of the two Big 12 teams with winning records they topped at home (Baylor) or on the road (Texas Tech)? Was it the friskier-than-first-thought CSU Rams? Or was it FCS title game participant North Dakota State? No matter the answer, that changes instantly on Saturday should they come out on top near the Alamo. Here’s guessing Travis Hunter has one more unforgettable moment.
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