CBS Sports' Analyst Disrespects BYU With Prediction For Big 12 Matchup

Not only did the Cougars hand the Buffs a three-score loss, but it came against Shedeur Sanders and Heisman winner Travis Hunter. Now fast-forward to July and Elliott expects BYU to struggle in Boulder against a team they took care of in the postseason and is without top returning talents.

This won't be a similar matchup up in many regards. While Colorado is without Sanders and Hunter, they'll also have just one returning starter on offense and three on defense. Don't count out Sanders' transfer portal strategy. It has kept things interesting over the course of his three seasons in Boulder. However, continuously turning over the roster doesn't build chemistry.

Not to say BYU hasn't dealt with their own loss of talent. Top QB Jake Retzlaff is on his way out with Aaron Roderick needing to make adjustments on the fly. Add that to a total of seven returning starters and the Cougars will be working to a fairly new group. But an early season loss to a team that BYU picked apart less than a year ago with much better players? Not buying it. 

Sanders has also been away from the team for more than two months as he deals with an unknown health issue in Texas. How does this factor into his future? Colorado could face a rough patch early by trying to put everything together. They do have two outstanding quarterbacks in Kaidon Salter and Julian, along with a slew of other talent, but BYU has a better team at this point.

The Cougars open the season at home against Portland State on Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. ET.