Deion Sanders stresses need for Colorado to run the ball vs. Cincinnati

Colorado has a chance to reach the six-win mark for the first time since 2016 Saturday against Cincinnati. More importantly, the Buffaloes (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) have an opportunity to continue separating from the pack in the league table.

In order to do so, head coach Deion Sanders believes his offense must do one thing in particular this weekend versus the Bearcats.

“They drop eight tremendously,” Sanders said of the Cincinnati defense, which has given up an average of just 174.8 yards per game through the air the last four outings.

“We’re going to have to run the football. Remember what I said? We’re going to run the football to really defeat this team, or catch them in blitzing situations, where they may go 1-on-1. They don’t do it a lot, but force them into those situations.”

Sanders, while on the “Colorado Football Coaches Show” Thursday, emphasized: “You got to force them to do what you want them to do. You got to score some points where they have to get into something that they’re not comfortable with.”

By running the football effectively, Colorado would force Cincinnati to bring more defenders into the box, giving the Buffaloes more favorable matchups in the passing game — and that’s really where Sanders’ group thrives.

At the moment, Colorado ranks seventh nationally with 324 passing yards per game. That’s thanks to first-round NFL Draft prospect Shedeur Sanders, who has thrown for 2,268 yards this year in addition to posting a 19:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

The Buffs have had a significantly more difficult time running the football this year, as was the case last season, too. They’re 130th in the country, and dead last in the Big 12, with 74.57 rushing yards per game in 2024. In fact, Colorado is the only Big 12 team not averaging at least 100 rushing yards per game.

That said, it’s worth noting that Colorado has eclipsed the century mark on the ground three times this season, including twice in the Buffaloes’ last three games. Keep in mind, they got there only twice all season in 2023.

Four different Colorado running backs have recorded at least 20 carries. That group is headlined by Isaiah Augustave (41 carries, 180 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns) and Dallan Hayden (38 carries, 131 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown).

They’ll have to be on their A-game Saturday, as will Colorado’s offensive line, if the Buffaloes are to accomplish Deion Sanders’ key to victory and put the Cincinnati defense in a bind.