The anticipation for the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl has reached a fever pitch as the No. 23 Colorado Buffaloes prepare to face the No. 17 BYU Cougars tonight. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC, with fans eager to see how these two programs will clash.
Colorado enters the game with impressive momentum, boasting a 9-3 record and coming off a dominating 52-0 victory against Oklahoma State. The Buffaloes' stellar quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, threw for 438 yards and five touchdowns during this blowout, showcasing his immense talent. Complementing him is the all-star player Travis Hunter, who had 116 receiving yards and made key defensive plays with two pass deflections, underpinning his capacity as both a playmaker and defensive stalwart. Notably, Hunter's accolades this season include the Heisman Trophy, Biletnikoff Award, and Chuck Bednarik Award.
On the flip side, the Cougars boast a strong 10-2 record and come off their own impressive win against Houston, where their defense stifled the opposition, forcing four turnovers and allowing just 250 total yards. This defensive toughness will be instrumental as they look to contain Colorado’s dynamic offense.
The backdrop of this game is particularly significant for Colorado, marking their first bowl appearance under Coach Deion Sanders and their first in four years. This season, the Buffaloes finished tied for first place in the Big 12, but missed out on the championship game due to tiebreakers.
While this matchup serves as a bowl game for both teams, it also embodies intriguing conference ties. After the dissolution of the Pac-12 Conference, several former members are now we'll refer to as 'Pac-12 legacy schools' for bowl selection purposes. According to reports, the Alamo Bowl took Colorado as its designated Pac-12 representative and selected BYU to represent the Big 12.
“This is obviously a big stage, it’s primetime,” said BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, emphasizing the excitement surrounding the game. Both teams have had breakthrough seasons, making this contest feel like the 'people’s Big 12 championship'. Retzlaff’s perspective reflects the significance of their performance, allowing both teams to showcase just how far they’ve come.
BYU’s strength this season has stemmed from their formidable defense, including their ability to force turnovers—a hallmark of their recent success. With 20 interceptions from different players, they lead their conference, making them capable of creating chaos for opposing offenses.
“It’s exciting to take on such talented players like Sanders and Hunter,” defensive end Tyler Batty stated, noting the challenge of slowing down Colorado’s high-octane attack.
For fans tuning in, the game promises to deliver excitement. It's not just about the teams competing for victory; it's about witnessing the progression of Colorado football, which, under Sanders, has turned heads nationally. The Buffaloes averaged 3.86 million viewers this season, peaking at 6.22 million during their clash against Kansas—illustrative of their newfound prominence.
The players will undoubtedly feel the stakes. Travis Hunter's and Shedeur Sanders' collaboration has generated extraordinary interest for onlookers, and as they tackle BYU’s stout defense, the outcome will mark the culmination of their collegiate careers. Hunter’s battle with BYU’s secondary, particularly trying to dodge its predators, will be pivotal to how the game turns out.
Expect conversations about this game to center around BYU’s capability of responding to Colorado’s dynamic offensive strategies—making defensive stops will be job number one for the Cougars.
The Alamo Bowl is not just another notch on the calendar; it is poised to serve as both the finale of outdone expectations for the Buffaloes and the culmination of Coach Sanders’ first season at the helm. This are giant steps forward for Colorado football, reclaiming its stature within the college football conversation.
The bowl victory, if achieved, would represent Colorado's first since 2004, taking another step deepening the narrative of transformation within the program. They have come too far to falter now with their newfound identity as rising contenders under Coach Prime.
With all the camera flashes and pulses racing, the fate of both teams and the legacies they are carving will be on display this evening. Will the Buffaloes close out the season victorious? Or will the Cougars prove superior? The Alamo Bowl presents not just any matchup, but rather the culmination of ambition, growth, and aspiration for both teams.
