Colorado’s season keeps slipping, but its clearest glimpse of the future came in Morgantown. Freshman Julian Lewis stepped in for his first start and fired for 299 yards and two touchdowns, looking nothing like an 18-year-old. Still, he walked off after a 29-22 loss, carrying the weight of a program desperate for answers. During the bye week, Deion Sanders used that moment to confront the team directly and reinforce Lewis’ confidence as the Buffs search for stability.

Advanced numbers back up how composed Lewis really was. He completed 22 of 35 passes (just under 65%) for 299 yards and two touchdowns, and was at his best when things should’ve rattled him. Pro Football Focus charted him at 11-of-15 for 193 yards and a TD when pressured, with three “big-time throws”, the kind of high-difficulty darts you usually see from veteran QBs, not an 18-year-old in his first start.

On Thursday, during their bye week, when the HC addressed problems while also offering solutions, Buffs independent content creator JaKi shared the moment on X, captioning it, “Real Talk.” As head coach, Sanders knows his team’s potential, and despite several losses, the defeat against West Virginia felt different as the Buffs showed flashes of brilliance.

“We got a bunch of guys in this group right here, several guys to go. And guess what? I know who you are,” said Deion Sanders. “I’m not gonna call you out. I’m not gonna identify you because you’ve already identified yourself… Last question, it’s gonna be, are you part of the problem or the solution?” It’s a tough message from the HC of a 3-7 team, but he didn’t hold back in addressing the situation.

“Many you gonna say, ‘I’m part of the solution,‘” said Sanders. “It’s hard to be part of the solution when you tolerate the problem.” Still, he admitted there’s more work ahead for the Buffs before facing Arizona State. “Some of you youngsters are still on the climb. Some of you taking the personality to some of the older guys…” stated Sanders. “Some of you gotta disconnect and grab onto something that’s whole.”

Simply put, avoid all toxic distractions and noise, and focus on the positive things that will help you tackle the next challenge. This coach-style motivation may inspire Lewis, who has already set his plan. The 18-year-old freshman confirmed he’s staying in Boulder during the bye week. “I’m not going home or anything like that,” he declared. “I’m gonna sit in the facility, watch film, try to grow and get better,” stated Lewis.

If he’s really sitting with the tape, he’ll see plenty to build on. PFF charted him as perfect (7-for-7) for 115 yards and a score on intermediate throws, mostly over the middle, which is usually the toughest real estate for young quarterbacks. That’s not just talent, that’s processing and timing that actually benefits from a bye-week film binge

In that game against WVU, Colorado fell into an early 9-0 hole. With that, while their bowl hopes officially ended, Lewis was visibly emotional. But he didn’t hesitate to reveal his confidence. “This is going to hurt on the way home, of course, but we’ll recoup, regather, and get ready for next week.” Even Deion Sanders didn’t hold back the praise for their performance with some guys’ momentum.

The night also gave Lewis an early taste of how brutal college football can be. In the fourth quarter, West Virginia linebacker MarSon Oxley literally ripped a chunk of Lewis’ hair out on a tackle, a play that went viral because it’s completely legal, and long hair counts as part of the uniform. Even after that, Lewis stayed in, kept attacking downfield, and finished without a turnover, which tells you plenty about his pain tolerance and mentality.

“I don’t think we played a team that’s athletically and physically better than us. I really don’t. I’ll stand on that,” said Sanders after the loss. But it remains to be seen whether Sanders’ latest decision to switch play-calling sits well or not.

Is Deion Sanders’s decision really beneficial to the team?

After flashing some potential in his first two seasons at Colorado, Omarion Miller is finally dominating in 2025. Miller has been the medicine for Colorado’s struggling pass game, hauling in 34 catches for 652 yards. Leading the Buffs in every major receiving category, he reflected on his breakthrough on Wednesday.

His latest outing might’ve been the real breakout. Against West Virginia, Miller posted six catches for a season-high 131 yards and a touchdown, leading all receivers in the game. That single performance vaulted him up the On3 impact rankings from WR No. 85 to No. 55, making him one of the three biggest risers in the country for Week 11.

“I definitely feel like I’m one of the leaders of that group,” he said. “I’ve been trying to do the best that I can to show them the path of what it takes.” Surely, he is not yet a household name like Travis Hunter or LaJohntay Wester. But Miller has quietly posted numbers to remember. “A lot of people don’t see what I see. It’s totally fine though, as long as I keep doing me, I don’t worry about that,” added Miller. Still, the play-caller switch has only amplified his impact.

Tight ends coach and pass game coordinator Brett Bartolone has now taken over offensive play-calling, replacing offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur in that role. The shift has been obvious to the receivers. “The pass game is starting to get stretched out more vertically now,” said Miller.

Moreover, the change helped young Lewis thrive in his first start. “It’s been good seeing a young guy trying to take charge,” continued Miller. “He’s getting better day by day.” Miller’s confidence defines Colorado’s future, even in a season of ups and downs.

Colorado still has a long climb ahead, but the foundation finally looks real. Lewis brings poise, Miller brings production, and Bartolone’s play-calling brings direction. Sanders wants players who choose accountability over excuses, and his young core is starting to set that tone. If they keep pushing the standard forward, the struggles of 2025 could become the spark that reshapes Colorado’s future.