Is Colorado in scorching waters once more? Properly, the criticism towards Deion Sanders and Co. hardly stops coming, it’s virtually a staple. Nonetheless, criticism primarily based on their disastrous 4-8 report continues to hang-out them. The faults of their earlier season’s roster had been many, however the sloppy O-line was the largest. The offensive linemen did not do their important position of defending their QB. Shedeur Sanders, the beginning QB of Colorado, received sacked 52 occasions, the best within the nation.
Which is exactly why Josh Pate is livid over EA Sports activities 25’s rankings. Per the 2023 offensive YPG rankings for EA Sports activities prime 10, Colorado ranked eighth on the checklist. Pate was not solely shocked however was not even able to consider this. Final season, Colorado completed sixtieth in factors per recreation chart. ESPN’s 2023 offensive chief’s chart of the Pac-12 convention noticed Colorado ranked ninth among the many 12 groups.
Whereas Colorado was sitting on the eighth place, Ole Miss received the tenth spot in EA Sports activities rankings. Whereas, within the factors per desk chart, Ole Miss was 8 spots greater than Colorado at No.52. One more reason for Pate to be aghast. Per the ESPN rankings of the 2023 group complete offense stats, Ole Miss ranked 11 spot, whereas Colorado was sitting too far behind at No. 79.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues under this advert
USA Immediately by way of Reuters
IMAGO / USA TODAY Community
NCAA, Faculty League, USA Basketball: Stanford at Colorado Mar 3, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes scholar fan holds a photograph reduce out, Freisteller of soccer head coach Deion Sanders in the course of the second half towards the Stanford Cardinal on the CU Occasions Middle. Boulder CU Occasions Middle Colorado USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRonxChenoyx 20240303_szo_ac4_0362
The evident discrepancy elicited a number of reactions from the analysts worldwide. SportsGrid’s Ben Stevens mercilessly ripped the ‘overrated’ offense of Deion Sanders by pulling out some numbers from 2023. “Colorado’s 2023 offensive numbers (FBS rank out of 133 teams): Scoring – 28.2 PPG (No. 57), Total – 363.6 YPG (No. 78), Sacks allowed – 56 (No. 132),” Stevens prefaced earlier than pulling the last word sarcastic card saying, “But sure, 8th best offense in the country makes sense.” Whereas everyone seems to be busy declaring the evident hole within the rankings, they’re forgetting what is likely to be a serious motive behind it.
Is Travis Hunter the explanation behind Colorado’s consideration?
All of us keep in mind Travis Hunter featured as the middle athlete on the quilt web page of the EA Sports activities 25 CFB recreation, one of many largest attainable causes for Colorado getting all the eye this season. Plus, it’s the group of Deion Sanders, in fact. Though the rankings of the 2023 season look a tad bit unfair, Colorado is attempting its finest to alter the narrative within the 2024 season.
Now, the addition of O-line beasts like Jordan Seaton, Yaikiri Walker, Ivan Yates, Justin Mayers, and extra have toughened up the offensive lineup at Colorado certain. Even the O-line gamers whom Coach Prime was not too assured about, like Cormani McClain, have left Colorado this spring switch portal. After the revamp, the efficiency of the O-line is predicted to be considerably higher.
