Opponents Are Wasting Time Trying to Stop Laviska Shenault

There's plenty of guys to stop

Colorado State screwed up. You already knew that. But specifically, Colorado State did something against Colorado that sounds like a good idea in theory, but in practice is not likely to work all that well.

The Rams were determined not to let Laviska Shenault beat them, and they succeeded, sort of, holding him to three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. Great success! Except that Colorado scored 52 points and won the game.

And that's the problem.

For one thing, this isn't basketball. Stopping one guy doesn't accomplish as much. For another, receiver is the deepest position on Colorado's whole roster. And for yet another ... Colorado only threw 20 passes against Colorado State.

So to review: CSU dedicated a good deal of attention and strategy to stopping Shenault, who averaged 9.6 catches per game last year, only to see Colorado run it on two out of three snaps ... and still throw for 232 yards.

This is what is known as "overthinking it."

Shenault was a little irritated about this, telling BuffZone, "It’s for sure frustrating. I’m also learning how to do deal with it. I just have to keep my head on the bigger picture. If we’re winning and the team is doing everything right, we’re good.”

This week's opponent, Nebraska, sounds to be focusing on Shenault, too.

"Know where he's at at all times," the coach told reporters Tuesday. "Know if he's on the field. Know if he's off the field. Know everything about him. First name, last name. Where he went to high school. Know everything about him. What does he like to eat? Know everything about him."

That's a funny soundbite and it even kinda sorta sounds like good football strategy. But in doing that, you're placing a big bet that a Shenault reception is going to hurt you so much more than a reception by, say, Tony Brown, that it's worth giving Brown an easier time getting open.

There are times that will be true, but it's an over-reaction, and as Colorado State found out, it might not make much difference.