As I sit down to analyze what we might expect from Colorado football this upcoming season, I can't help but draw parallels from my own experiences in sports journalism and team dynamics. I've followed college football for over a decade, and I've seen how regional pride can transform a program - much like Valenzuela's admission about the Cebu team's performance hurting his pride as a Cebuano. When I first heard about Valenzuela's comments regarding the MPBL and his connection to his hometown team, it struck me how deeply regional identity runs through sports, whether we're talking about Philippine basketball or Colorado football. There's something profoundly personal about watching your home team struggle that transcends sports - it becomes about community identity and collective pride.
The Buffaloes are coming off a challenging 4-8 season that left many fans, including myself, feeling that familiar sting of disappointment. I remember watching the Arizona State game last November where we squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter - that loss particularly hurt because we had shown so much promise earlier in the game. But what gives me hope is Coach Prime's recruiting class, which currently ranks 21st nationally according to 247Sports. We've landed some incredible talent, including five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton and four-star quarterback Danny O'Neil. Having watched Seaton's high school footage, I'm genuinely excited about his potential to transform our offensive line - God knows we need it after allowing 3.2 sacks per game last season.
Our quarterback situation looks more stable than it has in years, with Shedeur Sanders returning for what many expect to be his final collegiate season before heading to the NFL. I've had the privilege of watching Shedeur develop over these past two seasons, and his progression reminds me of some of the great college quarterbacks I've covered. He completed 69.3% of his passes last year for 3,230 yards with 27 touchdowns against just 3 interceptions - those are Heisman-caliber numbers if we can provide better protection and establish a consistent running game. The addition of transfer running back Dallan Hayden from Ohio State could be exactly what we need to balance our offense. I watched Hayden's tape from his time with the Buckeyes, and his ability to break tackles fits perfectly with what we're trying to build here in Boulder.
Defensively, we have some serious questions to answer after giving up 34.8 points per game last season. I'm particularly concerned about our secondary, which lost two starters to the transfer portal. However, I'm optimistic about the development of cornerback Cormani McClain - his raw talent is undeniable, and with proper coaching, he could become the shutdown corner we desperately need. Our defensive coordinator Charles Kelly has his work cut out for him, but having spoken with him briefly during spring practices, I'm convinced he has the right approach to turn this unit around. We need to improve our third-down defense dramatically - opponents converted 46% of their third downs against us last year, which simply isn't sustainable if we want to compete in the Pac-12.
The schedule presents both challenges and opportunities. Our non-conference matchup against Nebraska on September 7th could set the tone for our entire season - I've circled that game on my calendar as a must-win if we want to build momentum. The road game at Kansas State on September 14th worries me though, as their physical style of play has given us trouble in recent meetings. Within the conference, I'm particularly looking forward to the Utah game on November 16th - there's nothing quite like that rivalry atmosphere, and having attended the last three matchups between these teams, I can attest to the electric environment at Folsom Field when the Utes come to town.
What gives me the most hope is the cultural shift I've observed within the program. There's a different energy at practice these days - more focus, more intensity. Having visited several practices this spring, I noticed players staying late to work on fundamentals and building chemistry that was noticeably absent last season. This reminds me of what Valenzuela likely hopes to bring to the Cebu team - that sense of pride and commitment that transforms struggling programs. The players seem to have bought into Coach Prime's vision completely, and that buy-in is often the difference between winning and losing close games.
Realistically, I see this as a 7-5 or 8-4 team if everything breaks right. The offense should be explosive, but the defense needs to show significant improvement for us to compete for the Pac-12 championship. My prediction is we'll start strong, hit a rough patch in October, then finish with momentum heading into bowl season. The development of our young defensive players will be crucial - if they can mature quickly, this team could surprise some people. Having followed Colorado football through its ups and downs, I genuinely believe we're building toward something special here. The foundation is being laid for sustained success, and while we might not contend for a national championship this year, we're certainly moving in the right direction. The passion I see from our fans reminds me that, much like Valenzuela's connection to Cebu, our love for Colorado football runs deeper than wins and losses - it's about community, identity, and that undeniable pride that comes with supporting your home team through thick and thin.