No. 17 BYU, No. 23 Colorado Face Off in Big 12-Themed Alamo Bowl
Field Level Media
No. 17 BYU and No. 23 Colorado will clash in Saturday night’s Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, a matchup of Big 12 conference foes.
The Cougars (10-2) and Buffaloes (9-3) once aspired to compete in the Big 12 Championship and secure a College Football Playoff spot.
However, late-season setbacks derailed those ambitions, leaving the two to meet in a rare intra-conference bowl game, despite not facing each other in the regular season.
Adding to the uniqueness, very few players have opted out to avoid injury. Colorado even provided disability insurance for Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
CBS Sports projects Hunter as the No. 2 pick to the New England Patriots and Sanders at No. 3 to the Las Vegas Raiders, who may need to trade up.
Sanders completed 74.2% of his passes for 3,926 yards, 35 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while Hunter excelled as both a wide receiver and cornerback.
Hunter, bound for April’s NFL Draft, amassed 92 catches for 1,152 yards, 14 receiving touchdowns, and one rushing score. Defensively, he tallied four interceptions, 11 pass defenses, and 31 tackles.
“Colorado excels in all phases,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “Their offense, led by the Heisman winner (Hunter), Shedeur, and others, is outstanding. We’re thrilled about this matchup.”
Sitake also praised players like LaJohntay Wester, with 70 receptions for 880 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Will Sheppard, who added 617 yards and six scores.
Colorado improved under coach Deion Sanders, going from 4-8 last year to their third bowl appearance in 17 seasons.
Freshman receiver Drelon Miller, who scored twice in the final three games, is part of a promising youth movement that excites Deion Sanders.
“We have young talent ready to elevate this program,” Sanders said. “They’ve proven they belong, and it’s incredible to see.”
BYU started 9-0, climbing to No. 6 in the CFP rankings by Week 11. But losses to Kansas and Big 12 champion Arizona State ended their title hopes.
Jake Retzlaff led BYU’s resurgence from last season’s 5-7 record, throwing for 2,796 yards and 20 touchdowns. Chase Roberts was his top target, recording 51 catches for 843 yards and four touchdowns.
Darius Lassiter contributed 679 receiving yards and four scores but will miss the first half of the Alamo Bowl due to a penalty in BYU’s last game.
“Turning things around this season speaks to their coach’s abilities,” Deion Sanders said of Sitake. “He’s a great guy with a fantastic team.”