This CU football team has a lot more issues than the starting quarterback. The Buffs suffer from a lack of identity and lack of belief in what they’re doing, as well as poor leadership from the coordinators and head coach.

– Stirling, sees warning signs

Kiz: Hey, we all love the plucky, third-string quarterback tale of Ryan Staub. But if these CU Buffs are going to a Staub story, this season seems doomed to be a sob story. Right now, Colorado is playing like a team headed for a 3-9 record. And what happens to a 3-9 team when the transfer portal and NIL money makes it oh-so-tempting to bail? Perish the thought of what it would mean to coach Deion Sanders if either star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton or five-star QB prospect JuJu Lewis departed  Boulder for greener pastures.

The Buffs finishing 3-9 this season would be … um … legendary. That would mean we get to watch more jet sweeps and bubble screens for a short gain in long-yardage downs. It’s remarkable that Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter were able to overcome the presence of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur last season.

– Ron, Denver

Kiz: If the Buffs’ offensive woes continue, it’s only a matter of time before Sanders goes from loudly defending Shurmur to quietly waving goodbye. While Shurmur could make for a convenient scapegoat, what if the problem with this CU program is systemic? The Louis Vuitton approach to building a team in the portal works if there’s a Heisman Trophy winner in your bag. But a strong, cohesive offensive line generally takes time to develop and gel. Coach Prime has yet to demonstrate he has the patience to do the mundane grunt work of building a top 25 team.

After hearing chatter that Shedeur Sanders isn’t even running the scout team in Cleveland, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Browns don’t want to keep him, but also don’t want to cut him and watch him work out somewhere else in the NFL. Which all sounds stupid, to be honest.

– M.L., Denver

Kiz: Stupid is as the Cleveland Browns do.

I predict: Broncos 21, Indianapolis 10. The Denver D proves to be too much for Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, while the Broncos’ offense runs just enough to open up the passing game for Bo Nix and we wear them down in the fourth quarter.

– Dennis, Colorado Springs

Kiz: Yes, I like to remind everyone how I predicted prior to last season that Denver would shock the NFL and qualify for the playoffs. But I’m not so arrogant as to forget how wrong I could’ve been if Colts running back Jonathan Taylor hadn’t carelessly dropped the football a heartbeat before crossing the goal line for a touchdown in Denver. I’m afraid this trip to Indy might prove to be the first test of adversity for a Broncos team that’s talking like a Super Bowl contender, but has yet to play like a legit one.

And today’s parting shot is food for thought: Unless the Broncos are in the Super Bowl, how much does it really matter if the game is ever played in Denver?

Let’s go win some Super Bowls. Who cares about hosting one?

– Sean, Denver