Pat Shurmur answers if 2024 is a 'prove it' year for Colorado

Colorado offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was asked if 2024 was a “prove it” year for the Buffaloes.

Well, the OC got a little philosophical in his answer, even though many would answer yes. Coming off a 4-8 season with a lot of hype after Deion Sanders’ first year, Year 2 could bring more pressure.

But, Shurmur didn’t exactly think like that.

“I think everybody tries to prove it every day,” Shurmur said. “I mean, you’re always trying to give great effort and do what you think is best. And as you’ve gone through life and you’ve tried things that didn’t work, you know, it helps you make better decisions as to what’s best. I don’t know, maybe it’s the mountain there, but I just feel, mentally, much more clarity when it comes to that stuff.”

The hype around Colorado reached deafening levels following the Buffaloes’ 3-0 start in 2023. But a 1-7 finish that began with a beatdown at the hands of Oregon brought a lot of criticism.

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Of course, Sanders is the magnet for the critiques based on his brashness and confidence. Not to mention the same of son and quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter.

Still, the improvements from the transfer portal and Shurmur getting a full offseason to tweak his offense could certainly help Colorado reach the postseason this fall.

Speaking with On3’s Phillip Dukes of the Five-Star Flex, Sanders discussed the obstacles he’s faced heading into Year 2 of his tenure at Colorado

“I haven’t faced obstacles,” Sanders said. “It hasn’t been nothing that has eliminated us or prevented us from being who we want to be or go where we want to go. I think self is the biggest obstacle that our young men can have because they have the talent. They have ability. They have the knowledge. They have the foresight as well as the wisdom. They’ve just gotta put it to use. They’ve gotta want it. And they’ve gotta want to go get it.

“And when you really want to go get something, you have something in front of you that you want to apprehend. The enemy’s always going to put a stumbling block in front of you. It takes self to understand that’s what that is, I gotta get around to it. I gotta get through it. So, I can get to it.”