The Colorado Buffaloes dropped a third straight game. This time in a tightly contested 29-22 affair with West Virginia, which cemented another losing season for the school. However, for the first time in quite some time in the season, the Buffs have reason to be optimistic in the form of freshman quarterback Julian Lewis. He played up to his five-star rating on Saturday.
Lewis started for the first time this season in a successful outing. He went 22-of-35 for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns. What was most impressive was the poise for his first time taking the reins. This is a guy who technically is still young enough to be in high school right now, and yet he looked like he was fully capable of operating a college offense at the Big 12 level. This is due to reclassifying up to the 2025 class, but a smart call for the 18-year-old.
Yes, this loss knocked the Buffs out of bowl contention, but the offensive confusion and inability to score is what got CU outscored 105-24 in the two prior games. As much as the defense has had its struggles, and has it ever during this three-game losing streak, the offense does have the ability to now find some rhythm.
The Buffs enter a bye week next week and this presents the perfect opportunity for their offense to improve and further find an identity under the freshman quarterback. Should they continue where they left off today against West Virginia, the Buffs might actually be able to put together a really solid offensive structure next season, if they also play the transfer portal well in January.
They’ll still have a great offensive line with Jordan Seaton having one more year until he can go to the NFL, and with receivers like Omarion Miller and Joseph Williams coming back next year, there’s every reason that CU can improve and put together a solid passing game.
The biggest hurdle from the Buffs’ perspective, though, is would Lewis want to come back to Boulder next year? The other side to the coin of JuJu playing well is other colleges will be taking notice. Given the possible uncertainty with Coach Prime’s health, there’s no guarantee that the coaching position at Boulder is set in stone. Even should Coach Prime return, what’s to stop Lewis from trying to seek greener pastures to a program with a new coach and deeper pockets?
Lewis could be hanging out in high school cafeterias right now, instead he’s operating an offense at a respectable level. If the Buffaloes are able to hold onto JuJu, they could be looking at a special quarterback that can provide sustainable success.
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