How CU football can climb themselves out of their current hole

The Buffs are back from the bye.

All efforts and attention inside the football program are focused on salvaging a season that’s started 0-5.

Interim head coach Mike Sanford has given the program life from an energy perspective but his toughest task yet comes on Saturday as Colorado faces Cal.

The Golden Bears have one of the best young running backs in the country in Jadyn Ott, so Colorado’s “simple, sound and fast” defense will get tested right away.

While energy alone won’t make the Buffs competitive on Saturday, wide receiver R.J. Sneed says it’s a good start.

“Coach Sanford’s done a good job of bringing energy, I think we need more energy, passion and joy,” Sneed said. “You have those things and it doesn’t guarantee you a win but going into the game you’re more confident, more passionate and excited for the game.”

In some ways, it’s just business as usual for players like Casey Roddick who have seen five head coaches (including interim head coaches) since 2018.

“It was a situation that we all saw coming, the writing was on the wall but we just didn’t execute our job, that falls on us players at the end of the day,” Roddick said. “Change is not always bad but it’s sad to see one of our leaders go.”

Roddick confirmed Sneed’s thoughts about the energy that the new leaders of Colorado football have been bringing to the table.

“Offensively and defensively the energy is combined more so,” Roddick said. “Coach Sanford and coach Chatman pinball off of each other’s energy, it’s created a positive environment.”

Running backs coach Darian Hagan also voiced his support for Sanford and the changes that have been instituted over the bye week.

“I think the administration did a phenomenal job of appointing Mike, they picked the right guy for the situation,” Hagan said. “He’s the type of guy that can calm the waters. The players and coaches are all grateful for where we are right now.”

It’s a delicate situation for the football team given the number of young players that are being trusted with playing time. This weekend will be Owen McCown’s third career start but Roddick and Sneed have been impressed with how the freshman quarterback has carried himself despite the offensive struggles.

“You would have thought he’s been playing college football for at least three years just the way he acts and interacts with us,” Sneed said. “When I was at Baylor, we had a guy that was young and starting in Charlie Brewer. It’s a similar situation, we have to help him out and make plays for him.”

“With [Owen] leading, we just have to make sure that our playmakers help him,” Roddick said. “He can’t be a one-man show out there. We’ve got to help him develop as well.”

The focus this week is on Cal but I asked Roddick and Hagan what Colorado needs the most as they head towards a monumental off-season that could change the trajectory of the program.

“What this program honestly needs is somebody who’s going to lead from the inside out, Roddick said. “Whoever the candidate is must be energetic, a player’s coach and goal driven. Not that coach Dorrell wasn’t any of those. But a young head coach with a great mind who can relate to players and certain situations as a player, that’s what this program needs.”

Roddick couldn’t help but mention the young core that Colorado has and their potential moving forward when continuing his answer.

“The young guys on this team are far from where I would have thought. They are great, they’re exceptional. And so to build off of what they have is going to be the most important.”

When Hagan was asked the same question, he took his answer in the direction of NIL and the transfer portal.

“Colorado needs to be like everyone else in the country,” Hagan said. “Everyone has NIL deals and different things that they do as far as admissions. If we want to get back to where we were, we have to get on an even playing field with everyone.”

Colorado’s admissions and transfer requirements have become a hot topic on social media over the last few weeks since chancellor Phil DiStefano’s comments after Dorrell was fired.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of altering any of the rules and policies,” DiStefano said. “It’s just based upon the degrees we offer, and the way that faculty own the curriculum, they own the degrees. We don’t have physical education here, we don’t have general education and to be honest, that’s not going to change.”

Change has to happen in some form or fashion for the Buffs if they expect to keep up with every other Power 5 team in terms of recruiting, handling the transfer portal and creating NIL opportunities.

The football team is feeling energized and rejuvenated but there is tension amongst the fan base as CU’s leadership attempts to navigate through their long list of issues.

Tensions can be eased if the Buffs are able to show improvement and compete with Cal from start to finish this weekend. CU is currently a 14.5-point underdog at home against the Golden Bears.

Saturday’s game will kick off at noon at will be aired on the PAC-12 Network.