Post-season Action Likely For Broncos, Falcons and Buffs?
Trevor Phipps
Even though the weather has refused to cool down, the calendar still says that fall has arrived.
A good sign to the startup of my favorite season of the year is when football players start hitting the field for scrimmages and pre-season games.
In recent years, being a Colorado football fan has often become a bumpy ride, especially compared to other parts of the country.
Let’s face it, Colorado’s college football teams have never really become gained a niche for their successful track record. And for years, the Denver Broncos served as the sole team that stayed on top of the leader board.
But ever since star quarterback Peyton Manning retired, the Broncos have struggled along with the college football teams. However, last year the addition of Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders to Colorado University ignited a new spark of excitement for college football across the state and beyond.
We all know how local sports journalists sometimes unnecessarily hype up their home-town team before the season starts, so obviously only time will tell how Colorado teams fare on the pigskin field in 2024. But this is the time of the year when we whip out our crystal ball to give a possible synapsis of how this season could turn out for Colorado’s football teams. Here is my take on the forthcoming season for the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Buffaloes, the Air Force Falcons and Colorado State Rams. Don’t hesitate to enjoy the charade of great games at a local sports bar, eatery and hangout. If anything, whether Colorado teams hit the playoff picture, the pigskin season looks like it could rank one of the most entertaining in years.
Denver Broncos
During the offseason, many were worried about what cards the Broncos would pull out of their sleeves. But ever since the NFL Draft (and then the start of the preseason), the entire Bronco Nation has been talking about rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Many seem to think that after not even watching him play a real game, big Bo has become the answer to the Broncos’ problems and possibly a key to a successful future.
It may be a little early to make judgements, but I have liked what I have seen from the team in practice and so far in pre-season. So, I guess I am, for once, jumping on the bandwagon with most of the state’s slew of sports writers in feeling quite optimistic of the Broncs’ chances of seeing post-season play, even if it is for a brief one-game wild card outing. Although it’s hard to tell anything during practice or pre-season games, if the Broncos can keep up the same stellar play on both sides of the ball like they have in at least the first two pre-season games, they could win some big contests in the end.
I do strongly believe that the team will fare better this year. The Broncos start their season on the road against the Seahawks on Sept. 8 at 2:05 p.m. before they host the Pittsburgh Steelers and former QB Russell Wilson on Sept. 15 at 2:25 p.m. But Russ is struggling and may not start.
Season Record Prediction: 9-8 and they lose in the wild card showdown.
Colorado Buffaloes
Last year, Coach Prime was all the hype, and I felt like everyone, he was going to majorly turn the Buffs team around. He did improve the team’s record, but nobody was really that impressed with the team’s 4-8 record, capped by a number of consecutive losses.
And the media attention surrounding Prime has taken a sudden U-turn. In 2023, it was all about his talents as a coach and team leader. But those reports are now part of the past. In fact, new media reports, especially from CBS, have slammed him for creating a toxic environment within the team, and being obvious that he favors his own kids.
Whatever the case may be, it is fair to say that everyone will still have their eyes on Prime and his Buffs this season. The team worked on areas where they struggled last season like bulking up their offensive line and working to improve their defense (including adding former NFL Star Defensive Lineman Warren Sapp to their coaching staff).
Overall, I do believe that the Buffs will improve from last year but maybe not as much as fans hope for. The Buffs start their season this Thursday against North Dakota State at home at 6 p.m. and then they travel to play Nebraska on Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Season Record Prediction: 6-6 and they earn some sort of low-level bowl game.
Air Force Falcons
Lately, all that has been discussed at the Air Force Academy has been the quarterback position for the 2024 football season. Last year, the team was carried to a winning record and a bowl game victory by senior QB Zac Larrier who has moved on from the team after graduation
The future of the team for most likely the next two seasons will rest on the shoulders, arms and legs of junior John Busha. Busha pleased coaches when he picked up some reps last season. Last year during the three games he played, Busha threw nine completions out of 19 attempts and earned a QB rating of 104.0.
The team is excited this year as many think this is the time for the young QB to shine. The Falcons have big shoes to fill this season as they had a stellar season last year, breaking a record with eight wins in a row before losing their final four matches of the regular season. A lingering injury that Larrier incurred really hurt the team.
With all of the talk of how good Busha is, I think the Falcons will be just as good as last year. And more importantly, their season won’t get derailed by a slump at the end of the season again. The Falcons’ season starts on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. with a home match against Merrimack, and then they play their second game on Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. at home versus San Jose State.
Season Record Prediction: 9-3 and they earn a better bowl game spot.
Colorado State Rams
Last year, the team under the reins of Head Coach Jay Norvell surprised fans when they gave Coach Prime a run for his money last season. After their big game against the Buffs, the Rams continued to succeed and ended the season 5-7. That was a much better record than many expected.
This year, many think that they can improve even more. QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is expected to be behind center in 2024. According to early insider reports, he could end up becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the Mountain West Division.
Fans mostly will be anticipating the infamous Rocky Mountain Showdown. This is when the Rams face off against their rivals, Prime and his Buffs, during week three on Sept. 14 at 5:30 p.m. Make sure to catch this one at your favorite sports bar of choice. However, after looking at the team’s schedule this season, I believe the Rams will need to show some drastic positive changes if they plan on getting a winning record and earning a bowl game.
In fact, the Rams will be greatly challenged right out of the gate this season. CSU’s first game of 2024 is a road match against Texas (who are already ranked number four) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Next week the Rams play Northern Colorado on Sept. 7 at 5 p.m.
Season Record Prediction: 5-7 and the team will miss a bowl game again.
