Colorado Football's 2023 Season Analysis: Key Games and Player Performance Breakdown
As I sat down to analyze Colorado Football’s 2023 season, I couldn’t help but reflect on how deeply personal connections can shape our perspectives on sports. It reminded me of Valenzuela’s admission about the Cebu team—how, despite not closely tracking the MPBL before taking on his role, his pride as a Cebuano was genuinely hurt by their subpar performances. That emotional investment, that sense of identity tied to a team’s success or failure, is something I’ve felt myself while following Colorado’s journey this year. It’s not just about stats or wins; it’s about what those moments mean to the people who care. And let me tell you, this season had plenty of moments that stirred strong feelings, both for the players and the fans.
The season kicked off with high expectations, largely centered around quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who I believe was the heartbeat of the team. In the opening game against TCU, Sanders threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing the kind of precision and leadership that makes a player unforgettable. But what stood out to me wasn’t just the numbers—it was how he rallied the team in the fourth quarter, turning a potential loss into a 38-35 victory. That game set the tone, and I remember thinking, "This could be a special year." Yet, as Valenzuela’s experience with the Cebu team shows, early promise doesn’t always translate to consistent performance. Colorado’s follow-up against Nebraska was a stark reminder of that, with the offense struggling to find rhythm in a 28-14 win that felt more like a survival test than a triumph.
Midway through the season, the matchup against Oregon was where things started to unravel, and I’ll admit, it was frustrating to watch. The defense, which had shown flashes of brilliance earlier, gave up 42 points, and Sanders was sacked five times. It’s one thing to lose, but another to see a team’s identity—the very thing that fans like me cling to—get dismantled. I couldn’t help but draw a parallel to Valenzuela’s hurt pride; when your team underperforms, it feels personal. On the flip side, the upset win over USC was a highlight that restored some of that faith. Sanders connected with receiver Xavier Weaver for 123 yards and a touchdown, and the defense forced three turnovers. That game, in my view, was a testament to resilience, something every great team needs but few consistently demonstrate.
Player performances beyond Sanders were a mixed bag, and I’ve got to say, running back Dylan Edwards was a pleasant surprise. He rushed for over 800 yards on the season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and his ability to break tackles in key moments—like in the close win against Arizona State—gave the offense a much-needed balance. However, the offensive line was a recurring weakness, allowing 35 sacks total, which I think ultimately limited the team’s ceiling. Defensively, linebacker Juwan Mitchell led with 89 tackles, but the secondary struggled, giving up an average of 265 passing yards per game. Those stats aren’t just numbers on a page; they tell a story of a team that had the talent to compete but lacked the consistency to dominate.
Looking back, the season’s narrative was one of peaks and valleys, much like the emotional rollercoaster Valenzuela described. Colorado finished 7-5, a respectable record, but it left me wondering what could have been with a few adjustments. In my experience, seasons like this are defining—they build character for the players and deepen the bond with fans. As we look ahead, the key will be learning from those subpar performances, just as Valenzuela emphasized for the Cebu team. For Colorado, that means shoring up the offensive line and developing younger players to support stars like Sanders. If they can do that, I’m optimistic about the future, because in football, as in life, it’s often the setbacks that fuel the greatest comebacks.
