"Beat the sh*t out of Utah and it starts today”: Colorado offensive linemen fired up for Big 12 blockbuster against Utah

The Colorado Buffaloes jumped to No. 18 in the latest AP Poll on Sunday after their impressive 41-27 win over Texas Tech on Saturday. With a 7-2 record and just three games remaining, they are closing in on the Top 12 cutoff for the postseason.

This season, Colorado’s offensive line has been a standout improvement. Players like Cash Cleveland and Justin Mayers have been rock-solid in protecting quarterback Shedeur Sanders, helping the Buffs secure three consecutive wins since their loss to Kansas State on Oct. 12.

Next up, the Colorado Buffaloes will face their conference rivals, the Utah Utes (4-5, 1-5 Big 12) next Saturday, and they’re not holding back. During a Wednesday practice, senior offensive lineman Justin Mayers fired up his teammates, saying:

“Hey, just because we don’t got upper passers doesn’t mean we’re not physical and full speed today, man. We gotta win this week, beat the sh*t out of Utah, and it starts today.”

Mayers, now in his fifth college season, transferred from UTEP after the 2023 season, a key addition for the Colorado Buffaloes. Taking on a leadership role, he’s showing that Coach Sanders made the right decision by trusting him to help drive the team's success.

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Can Colorado Buffaloes keep playoff hopes alive as they face Utah in a must-win matchup?

Syndication: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Credits: IMAGN)

The Colorado Buffaloes have pulled off something few thought possible. Under Coach Prime, the Buffs went from a 4-8 season last year to a completely different story this year.

Still, with two losses, the playoff road remains tough. ESPN’s playoff predictor currently gives Colorado just a 27% chance of making the playoffs, meaning that even if they win all three remaining games, their spot in the 12-team bracket isn’t guaranteed.

The Buffs have been winning, but many of their victories were close calls. Although they aren’t facing any top-ranked teams moving forward, their opponents—especially the Kansas Jayhawks—have the talent to pose a real threat. In their upcoming matchup, Colorado is a 10.5-point favorite against Utah.

Utah started strong with a 4-0 record but has since dropped five straight games, placing them second to last in the Big 12. After a narrow 22-21 loss to No. 7 BYU on Saturday, the Utes will be looking for redemption, potentially giving Colorado a serious challenge.

If Colorado loses a game, their playoff chances would drop to less than 1%.