As Colorado prepares for their showdown against Nebraska, one of college football’s longest-running rivalries, former Buffaloes quarterback and passionate supporter Joel Klatt shared his thoughts on the upcoming game during his podcast, The Joel Klatt Show
For those unfamiliar, the Colorado-Nebraska rivalry dates back to 1898 and has a history of tension, especially from Colorado’s perspective. While Nebraska holds a 49-21-2 lead in the all-time series, Colorado has won the last three meetings, and Coach Deion Sanders looks to extend that streak to four.
In his preview, Klatt highlighted Colorado’s two standout players, Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, labeling them among the top athletes on the field this weekend. Confident in their talent, Klatt even predicted Colorado to beat Nebraska in Lincoln. However, he voiced serious concerns about Hunter’s heavy workload and its long-term impact.
Reflecting on Week 1, Klatt pointed to Colorado’s narrow victory over North Dakota State, where Hunter played an astounding 136 snaps, covering both offense, defense, and special teams. Hunter caught seven passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his versatility. Despite this, Klatt argued that such extensive usage could lead to burnout or injury, noting Hunter’s unique “unicorn” status in college football.
“Travis Hunter playing both ways is exciting to watch,” Klatt said. “But the plan for him needs to change. It has to.” Klatt emphasized that while playing 136 out of 180 snaps might be manageable, 136 out of 140 is unsustainable and could be a sign of overexertion.
Klatt’s concerns are not unfounded. During his time at Jackson State, Hunter struggled with an ankle injury that sidelined him for several games. More recently, he missed time due to a lacerated liver from a hard hit while playing Colorado State.
While Klatt stopped short of suggesting Coach Deion Sanders should limit Hunter to one side of the ball, he did call for a reduction in his snap count to preserve his health over the season. “I believe they need to cut 10-15% of Travis Hunter’s snaps,” Klatt proposed. “If he continues at this pace, he will break down. And if that happens, based on what I saw Thursday night, Colorado doesn’t have much else to rely on. The coaching staff must design a sustainable game plan.”
As the Buffaloes get ready for Saturday’s game, this contest could be pivotal for Sanders’ squad, especially after a disappointing 4-8 season and a shaky start against an FCS opponent. Hunter is expected to take on another heavy workload, but as Klatt warns, his health will be key to Colorado’s success against Nebraska and beyond.
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