Big 12 should reconsider the role of Colorado’s loss to Kansas

The Colorado Buffaloes suffered a devastating loss to Kansas last Saturday, a game that had profound implications for their season and brought recurring challenges under coach Deion Sanders’ tenure. Kansas put in an emphatic performance, imposing their will at every level and leaving Colorado looking for answers.

While the Jayhawks’ dominance was clear, the broader issues surrounding this game go beyond just the final score or the teams involved. The game highlighted systemic challenges in leadership, player safety and Colorado’s inability to match the physicality and aggression of their opponents.

Kansas executed a game plan that exploited Colorado’s weaknesses. The Jayhawks dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for an astonishing 333 yards with an average of 6.1 yards per carry. They didn’t kick once, a testament to their control of the game. Kansas played with a level of aggression and physicality that overwhelmed the Buffaloes, preventing Colorado from responding effectively. This disparity was most evident in their inability to stop the run or protect Shedeur Sanders from relentless pressure.

While Kansas deserves credit for their performance, the aggressive nature of their play raised major concerns about player safety, especially regarding the treatment of Shedeur Sanders. The game highlighted not only Colorado’s struggles, but broader issues surrounding college football oversight and enforcement of player safety rules.

One of the most controversial moments of the game came late in the second quarter. Shedeur Sanders, who rushed to expand a piece, was hit in a way that sparked widespread debate. Kansas defender Dean Miller launched a tackle that targeted Sanders’ knees. The goal resembled a spear tackle, a maneuver that has been banned at all levels of football since 1978. Despite its blatant illegality, no punishment was imposed.

In this situation, different penalties could have applied:

Unnecessary roughness: Unnecessary roughness by definition involves excessive force or illegal tackles. Miller’s hit checked both boxes. The spear tackle, a forbidden technique, was both excessive and dangerous. This type of hit, intended to disable a player’s lower body, carries significant risk and should have warranted a penalty.

Roughing the passer: Sanders had released the ball for almost two seconds before contact was made. The rule prohibiting late or violent hits on quarterbacks clearly applies here. Miller’s inability to pull up, due to his spear position, only worsened the situation.

Defenseless player: Sanders was clearly in a vulnerable position and concentrated on the field while trying to pass. The rules specifically protect quarterbacks in such situations, making this hit a textbook example of a defenseless player foul.

Targeting: The hit met multiple criteria for targeting, including leading with the crown of the helmet and initiating forceful contact with the lower body of a vulnerable player. Although aiming is often associated with hits to the head, the rule covers a broader scope of dangerous play, including the game in question.

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Despite the clear applicability of these rules, the referees only called an ineligible man onto the field, ignoring more serious violations. This failure to enforce player safety rules is not just a one-time mistake, but reflects a systemic problem.

The Sanders incident was not an isolated incident. Throughout the game, Kansas defenders consistently executed questionable tactics, including late hits and excessive physicality under the pile. This level of aggression seemed targeted, with Sanders being the primary victim. His status as Colorado’s top quarterback and the focal point of their offense likely made him an outspoken man, with opponents trying to disrupt his rhythm in any way they could.

This isn’t the first time Sanders has faced such treatment. Earlier in the season he noted that “Colorado is everyone’s Super Bowl”, a sentiment that has played out on the field. Opposing teams have consistently tested the limits of physicality, often crossing the line into dangerous territory.

The broader issue is the lack of response from the officials and, to some extent, the Colorado coaching staff. By allowing these incidents to go unattended, the message to opponents is clear: inciting Colorado’s players, even outside the bounds of the rules, will likely go unpunished.

In the modern era of football, player safety is a priority. There are rules to protect players from unnecessary harm, but their enforcement is inconsistent. The Colorado-Kansas game is a striking example of this inconsistency. The referee’s decision to ignore clear penalties undermines the integrity of the game and endangers the players.

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The lack of penalties for dangerous play stands in stark contrast to the strict enforcement of other, less critical rules. For example, Colorado’s Shilo Sanders has been caught charging multiple times over the past two seasons, often due to incidental contact that posed no real threat to the opponent’s safety. But when Shedeur Sanders was subjected to a possible career-ending threat, no action was taken. This disparity in enforcement is troubling and underlines the need for greater accountability in action.

Deion Sanders, known for his old-school approach, is reluctant to discuss key issues publicly. While his stance may be rooted in a desire to focus on his team’s performance rather than external factors, it leaves his players vulnerable.

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The loss to Kansas has significant implications for Colorado’s season. After taking control of their destiny, the Buffaloes now face a complicated path to the Big 12 Championship Game. They must win their remaining matches and rely on the help of other teams. Beyond the standings, the loss exposed deeper issues within the team, including a lack of urgency and physicality.

If Colorado wants to achieve its goals, they must tackle these issues head-on. This includes improving their performance at the line of scrimmage, protecting Shedeur Sanders and ensuring their players are not exposed to dangerous hits without consequences. It also requires a change in mindset from Coach Prime, who must balance his old-fashioned principles with the realities of modern football.

The Colorado Buffaloes are at a crossroads. The loss to Kansas was a wake-up call, exposing vulnerabilities that opponents will continue to exploit if not addressed. For Colorado to succeed, they must not only improve their on-field performance, but also advocate for better action and stricter enforcement of player safety rules.

The road ahead is challenging, but the Buffaloes have shown resilience before. If they can channel the setbacks from this match into renewed focus and determination, they still have a chance to finish the season strong. However, the lessons from this game should not be ignored, otherwise the same problems will continue to plague them in the future.