Overview
- Sanders said a “couple” players failed to return from the bye on time and promised visible consequences, without naming those involved or detailing punishments.
- A midweek availability post cited 17 Colorado players as out, and late updates kept lineup questions unresolved heading into kickoff.
- Colorado enters at 3-4 (1-3 Big 12) and likely needs three wins in its final five games to reach bowl eligibility, heightening the stakes of the Utah trip.
- Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. MDT on ESPN at Rice-Eccles Stadium, with Utah favored by double digits and owning a 35-33-3 series lead.
- Sanders framed the plan as to be “dominant,” pointing to last year’s 49-24 win over Utah in Boulder, and has previously benched his son Shilo for lateness to underscore team standards.