CU Buffs vs. Baylor quick hits: A signature performance for Shedeur Shanders in wild Big 12 return

Initial observations from Colorado’s 38-31 overtime win against Baylor in the Buffs’ return to Big 12 play at Folsom Field:

The Sanders Show: Baylor entered this game with the No. 1 passing defense (by yards allowed per game) in the nation, but the Bears had also faced an FCS team, Air Force and half of a game against Utah’s backup quarterback. Shedeur Sanders is the best QB the Bears have faced, and their secondary got a lot of help from the pass rush. Still, Sanders made several “wow” plays under duress, even if it didn’t look like it would be a video-game numbers kind of night. Whether it was buying time to find a receiver, or just taking off to get positive yardage on a play that looked DOA, this was some of the best of Sanders’ work and why he can be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Oh, and Shedeur-to-Wester will go down in CU lore until the end of time.

Still a cheat code: From the not breaking news department — Travis Hunter is a spectacular football player. This was another masterclass from the two-way superstar. When the Colorado offense bogged down, Hunter made a few of CU’s biggest plays of the game. He also drew a pass interference on a third-and-long that led to a Buffs touchdown. Hunter was a monster on defense as well, shutting off one side of the field for the Baylor passing attack while also making a couple of big tackles in the open field. He also forced the fumble at the goal line to end the game — so there’s that. There are not four better players in the country than No. 12 in Boulder. There might not be any.

Offensive blocking: Colorado’s offensive line had a great game against rival Colorado State. That unit did not cover itself in glory against Baylor, and still hasn’t proven it can consistently block a Power 4 defense in 2024. The Bears were practically daring the Buffs to run the ball at times, but outside of the first play from scrimmage and some Shedeur Sanders magic, moving it on the ground was a struggle for much of the game. And then there were the pass protection issues. Sanders was running for his life on about three-fourths of his dropbacks and the Baylor sack total would have been a dozen or more were it not for the quarterback’s ability to shed tackles.

Coverage concerns: The Buffs had some problematic gaps in their special teams coverage that not even a call to Aflac could have cured. Jamaal Bell’s 100-yard kick return for a touchdown was the headliner, but Josh Cameron had a pair of profitable punt returns in the opening half as well totaling 71 yards. He added another great return late in the fourth quarter for a hat trick that could have salted the game away if Bears kicker Isaiah Hankins had connected on a field goal. Baylor collected a field goal and a touchdown on the drives following the first two Cameron returns. Bell’s kick return looked like a significant breakdown. He caught the ball at the goal line, and it was clear that Bell was going to make a house call before he reached his own 20-yard line.