Can Colorado Football Return to Glory? A Complete 2024 Season Preview

I remember the first time I walked into Folsom Field back in 2016, the sea of black and gold stretching across the stadium under that perfect Colorado sky. There was this electric feeling in the air - you could sense something special brewing. That season, we went 10-4 and won the Pac-12 South. Fast forward to today, and I find myself wondering if we can ever recapture that magic. The truth is, that deal with success has since expired and run its course, leaving us fans wondering what comes next.

Looking at our schedule for 2024, there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic. Coach Prime has brought a level of attention to this program that we haven't seen since the McCartney era. I was at the spring game, and let me tell you - the energy was different. The stands were packed, recruits were everywhere, and you could feel the buzz. But here's the thing about buzz - it doesn't win football games. Execution does. We need to see if all this hype can translate into actual wins against quality opponents.

Our offense showed flashes of brilliance last season, but consistency was our Achilles' heel. I've been watching Colorado football for twenty years, and I've never seen such a Jekyll and Hyde team. One quarter we'd look like world-beaters, the next we couldn't move the ball to save our lives. The offensive line needs to improve dramatically - we gave up 56 sacks last season, which is frankly unacceptable at this level. If we can't protect our quarterback better, it won't matter how talented our skill players are.

Defensively, there's work to do. We allowed 35.8 points per game last season, which puts us near the bottom of the Power Five conferences. I was at the USC game where we gave up 48 points, and it was brutal to watch. The secondary got burned repeatedly, and our pass rush was virtually nonexistent. Coach Prime has brought in some transfers who should help immediately, but they need to gel quickly. The good news is we have eight returning starters on defense, so there should be some continuity there.

The schedule does us no favors early on. We open at home against North Dakota State - don't let the FCS label fool you, these guys are tough as nails. Then we travel to Nebraska, where we haven't won since 2004. I was at that 2004 game, freezing my tail off in Memorial Stadium, watching our boys pull off that miraculous comeback. We need that kind of fight this year. The Pac-12 schedule is brutal too - at Oregon, home against Utah, at Arizona. There are no easy wins in this conference.

Recruiting has definitely improved under Coach Prime's watch. We landed the 21st ranked class nationally, which is our best since 2008. The transfer portal has been kind to us too - we brought in 15 transfers, including some immediate impact players. But here's my concern - can we develop this talent? We've had highly-touted recruits before who never panned out. Development has been our problem for years, not necessarily recruiting.

The quarterback situation fascinates me. Shedeur Sanders is back after throwing for 3,230 yards last season, but he needs to cut down on his 12 interceptions. I've watched every snap he's taken here, and the talent is undeniable. His pocket presence has improved, but he still holds onto the ball too long sometimes. If our offensive line gives him time, he could put up huge numbers. The weapons around him are certainly there - we have arguably the best receiving corps in the Pac-12.

Special teams need to be better. Our kicking game was inconsistent last year, and our return units didn't provide the spark we needed. In close games, special teams often make the difference between winning and losing. I remember the 2016 Oregon game where our special teams literally won us the game with that blocked punt returned for a touchdown. We need moments like that again.

The fan support will be crucial. Colorado fans have been through some lean years, but Folsom Field can still rock when we're rolling. I've seen what happens when this place gets loud - opposing offenses can't hear themselves think, false starts pile up, and momentum swings our way. We need to bring that energy every single home game.

Realistically, I think we're looking at a 7-5 season if things break right. The ceiling might be 8-4 if we stay healthy and get some bounces. The floor? Well, let's not talk about the floor. The important thing is progress - showing improvement from last year's 4-8 campaign. We need to be competitive in every game, something we couldn't say last season when we got blown out multiple times.

The truth is, rebuilding a program takes time. That magical 2016 season feels like ancient history now, and the foundation we built then has completely crumbled. We're starting from scratch in many ways, but the pieces are there for something special. Coach Prime has brought hope back to Boulder, but hope needs to translate into wins. The deal with mediocrity has expired and run its course - now it's time to write a new chapter. I'll be there in section 109, rain or shine, hoping to witness the return of Colorado football to its rightful place among the nation's elite programs. Because when this team is rolling, there's nothing quite like Colorado football on a Saturday afternoon.