The Big 12 kicked off conference play around most of the league on Saturday during Week 4 of the college football season. In Boulder, it was the Baylor Bears and the Colorado Buffaloes meeting for their Big 12 opener.
Colorado is back in the Big 12 after over a decade in the Pac-12, while Baylor was looking to get back on track under head coach Dave Aranda, who is only three years removed from winning the Big 12 Championship.
When all was said and done, it was Colorado coming back for a 38-31 overtime win vs. Baylor. Here are the top three takeaways from the game.
Shedeur Sanders Stars
Shedeur Sanders was under pressure all night. The Colorado quarterback was sacked eight times, while Baylor had 12 tackles for loss against CU, but Shedeur Sanders literally put this team on his back and led them to their first Power conference win since October 7th of last year and a 1-0 start to Big 12 play.
Sanders finished 23/39 for 329 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 18 yards and one touchdown on the night.
Sanders led this team back from a 14-point deficit to win 38-31 in overtime. Colorado trailed 24-10 in the first half, before cutting it to a one-score game at halftime. In the second half, Baylor was able to go ahead 31-24 in the fourth quarter, with CU having one final chance to score in the final minute. And on a Hail Mary as time expired, Sanders found Lajohntay Wester for a touchdown.
In overtime, the Buffaloes scored a touchdown on their first possession. Baylor was driving but then, Colorado’s other star, Travis Hunter, knocked the ball loose vs. Dominic Richardson, through the end zone for a touchback as Colorado was able to seal the win.
Baylor Has Its Quarterback… Probably?
Sawyer Robertson and Dequan Finn were both dressed as Baylor began pregame warm ups on Saturday in Boulder. But it was Robertson who ultimately got the start.
And he had himself a very good game that was more impressive than his stat sheet would indicate. Robertson had himself some big-time throws, including clutch throws in big moments, like the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter to Hal Presley. He finished 11/21 for 148 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
That’s as good of a throw in a big spot as you will find.
Robertson was also effective with his legs, finishing with seven carries for 63 yards and one score. He picked up some key yards with his legs, and the one to remember was the 45-yard touchdown run in the first half.
After this performance, it seems highly unlikely Dave Aranda goes back to Dequan Finn in the short term.
This is the Big 12
The Big 12 is unlikely to win the National Championship this season, but it will be undoubtedly the most exciting conference in college football this season, and Saturday night’s finish between Baylor and Colorado was a perfect example of that.
This conference has more parity than any league in the country, and that was evident based on how Vegas had set every conference game spread at less than a touchdown. Competing against this game was the boring game in Norman, where Tennessee was routing Oklahoma over on ABC. If you preferred that OU-Tennessee game (which I was checking in on), you need to have your brain examined.
And to think this is just the first week of conference play in this league. I can’t wait for Week 5.
