Colorado Buffaloes film room: TCU breakdown ahead of Nebraska

The Colorado Buffaloes took care of business against 17th-ranked TCU Horned Frogs with a 45-42 win on Saturday. Shedeur Sanders looked impressive with 510 yards and four touchdowns in his FBS debut. It was a great "kick down the door" opener for Coach Prime, who has dealt with a lot of scrutiny from the national naysayers.

Here's a breakdown of how the Buffs looked on film against the Frogs from yours truly.

TCU RB Trey Sanders with 7-yard TD run at 13:57 2nd Qtr

The Big 12 officials on the field missed a holding penalty on TCU offensive lineman Mike Nichols. This would've kept it third down with 11 yards to go for a first and the ball being spotted at CU's 17-yard line. The Buffs were up 7-0 at this point and it might've forced the Horned Frogs to settle for a field goal.

Here’s a Holding that the officials missed on the Horned Frog TD. The outside defender needs to step upfield and establish position on the offensive side of the ball #SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/8BUzvlDF8n
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) September 2, 2023

Colorado RB Sy'veon Wilkerson 2-yard TD run at 9:28 2nd Qtr

What a great job of blocking by CU's offensive line on this play. They stuck to their formation and held with Wilkerson being able to follow his blockers. A true "Piesman" moment for the Buffs up front.

Somebody help because this Heavy Formation by the #CuBuffs is coming downhill blowing up the spot #SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/XjVsCQ69Pf
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) September 2, 2023

Colorado RB Dylan Edwards 75-yard TD pass from QB Shedeur Sanders at 14:24 3rd Qtr

An outstanding job by one of the best newcomers in the nation. Edwards focused on his techniques the entire time and let the play develop in front of him. A screen pass in the flat with blockers clearing a path. Edwards makes it into to the second-level with his world-class speed and burns TCU's secondary to the house.

Hard to find daylight inside for the running backs. No worries, just drop it off to RB Dylan Edwards and check his footwork #SkoBuffs @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/hql6jVzcdr
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) September 2, 2023

Colorado DB/WR Travis Hunter intercepts TCU QB Chandler Morris at 6:05 3rd Qtr

First off, what an amazing play for Hunter to pull off. I spent my entire career playing in the secondary and this is a masterclass in awareness on how to jump the route. Hunter baits Morris into believing he can't swing back after initially picking up the inside receiver. Except he was dead wrong and made him pay by snagging a touchdown saving pick. Well done, bravo.

You better stop playing with this young man. #TravisHunter out here doing his thing. He’s in man coverage and has enough instincts to see the running back to the flat for the INT #SkoBuffs WOW 😮 pic.twitter.com/uFpKW0L4Vb
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) September 2, 2023

TCU QB Chandler Morris 23-yard TD pass to WR Dylan Wright at 2:32 3rd Qtr

The Frogs come out in empty formation, which should trigger CU's defense to believe there could be an inside drag route coming. This one came as a designed cross, leaving Colorado DB Shilo Sanders to scramble and go one-on-one with Wright, while being out of position to make the tackle.

When playing man coverage vs empty formation an alert 🚨 should go off defensively. You have to talk these situations out across the formation because the easy throw is right over the center #SkoBuffs #CuBuffs pic.twitter.com/8jpjWOE0gu
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) September 2, 2023

TCU QB Chandler Morris 7-yard pass to TE Jared Wiley at 0:55 4th Qtr

A game-deciding fourth down stop by CU's defense with two former Arkansas transfers securing the win. My BuffsBeat Weekly co-host and Buffaloes defensive end Jordan Domineck applied pressure on Morris with a spin move to the inside, which forced him not be looking down the field. He found Wiley, who couldn't shake Myles Slusher after coming up from his

safety position. Great execution by both men.

My dude @jdomineck16 comes up with the pressure on Chandler Morris to disrupt a perfect pass to end TCU drive. Myles Slusher makes the tackle #SkoBuffs #CUBuffs pic.twitter.com/fdgveN3pab
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) September 2, 2023

Catch BuffsBeat Weekly with myself and Jordan Domineck this Thursday ahead of the big rivalry with Nebraska. Colorado will look to extend their non-conference winning streak over the Huskers at Noon ET on Saturday.