Key to the Game: How can the Cougars tame the Buffaloes and win the Alamo Bowl?

SAN ANTONIO – No. 17 BYU capped the year with a tough 30-18 victory over Houston, marking the third time in the Kalani Sitake era that it reached double-digit wins.

The Cougars were rewarded with a matchup with conference opponent No. 23 Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.

Due to the Pac-12’s previously signed bowl agreements, any former Pac-12 team that was not in the playoffs was placed in bowls with contractual ties to the conference, creating a matchup between two current Big 12 teams.

What do the Cougars have to do to beat the Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl as 3.5-point underdogs?

Prepare for a high-profile affair

The Buffaloes have scored 31 or more points in eight of their nine wins this season, most recently a 52-0 win over Oklahoma State.

The Buffaloes are 21st in the country in offense this season, averaging 34.5 points per game. This is due in part to the high number of offensive weapons Colorado has – Shedeur Sanders, LaJohntay Wester and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.

Sanders and Hunter will likely be among the top 10 picks in April’s NFL Draft, with the duo amassing over 1,150 yards and 14 touchdowns.

BYU has had a few high-scoring games this year – a 34-28 win against Baylor and a 38-35 win against Oklahoma State come to mind – but this will arguably be the best offense BYU has seen this season. The Cougars need to be able to keep up with the Buffaloes’ offensive output.

Go to the QB

Sanders has been sacked 38 times this season, the fourth-most sacked in FBS this season. Last year, Sanders was the quarterback with the most sacks with 52 sacks per season.

BYU had one of the lowest sack totals in college football this season at 16; but despite the low sack count, they have the third-best rating for opposing quarterbacks at 102.7 (Texas has the best at 96.9).

BYU has done a good job of limiting quarterback production this season, holding Kevin Jennings to 140 yards on under 50% passing, forcing two picks for Avery Johnson and three for Noah Fifita.

Getting to Sanders will limit the damage the powerful Colorado offense can do and give the Cougars a chance to extend a lead.

Win the revenue battle

Although it sounds cliché, the turnover battle will be crucial for BYU.

Sanders has only thrown eight interceptions this year, but BYU is No. 1 in the country with 20 interceptions. The Cougars have thrown 11 team interceptions this year, including 10 by Retzlaff. BYU will be without Crew Wakley, who is third on the team in interceptions, as he has entered the transfer portal and will not be with the Cougars.

BYU’s two losses this season were due to turnovers, with Retzlaff throwing an interception at the 5-yard line against Kansas before halftime and essentially a game-losing interception at the 39-yard line at Arizona State with two minutes to play threw.

If BYU can win the turnover battle like they have done most of the season, they have a much better chance of prevailing against Colorado.

The Cougars and Buffaloes begin what is expected to be one of the best non-playoff bowl games this season on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MST on ABC. Retzlaff called it “the people’s Big 12 Championship” in the pregame media section.

“Personally, I think it’s the People’s Big 12 Championship.”

BYU QB Jake Retzlaff and No. 17 BYU are not lacking motivation ahead of Saturday’s Alamo Bowl against No. 23 Colorado (5:30 p.m. MT, ABC). pic.twitter.com/YqLUYUmK71

– Sean Walker (@ActuallyDSW) December 26, 2024