Renck vs. Keeler: Whose absence hurts more: CU Buffs’ Travis Hunter or Broncos’ Pat Surtain II with Broncos?

Renck: It is fair to say CU and the Broncos were turning the corner, in large part, because of the excellence of Travis Hunter and Pat Surtain II, their ability to eliminate one-half of the field. Then came last weekend. Hunter hurt his shoulder in the first half, knocking him out against Kansas State. And Surtain suffered a concussion on the first defensive snap, leaving him unavailable versus the Chargers. Neither team handled their absences well, losing statement games. So Sean, which injury hurts more going forward: CU without Hunter or the Broncos minus Surtain?

Keeler: No college player in the country can do what Hunter does. Heck, no college player since maybe Champ Bailey’s really done it — and Hunter’s better offensively than both Champ or Charles Woodson were when they were his age. That said, I’m going with PS2, my friend. Why? The Buffs have some cover for Hunter on both sides of the ball. CU still put up all kinds of points on K-State without Hunter. Or Jimmy Horn Jr. Or Omarion Miller. Take PS2 away from the Broncos, and half the field opens up to opposing NFL defenses again. Let’s put it this way: K-State never pulled away from a Hunter-less CU. The Broncos lost PS2, and the Chargers immediately zoomed ahead and stayed there.

Renck: The air came out of the balloon when Surtain headed to the locker room. Riley Moss admitted it placed a dark cloud over the defense that took until halftime to lift. But they catch a break on Thursday. The Saints will likely be without No. 1 receiver Chris Olave, who was concussed vs. Tampa Bay. This will allow the Broncos elasticity to make adjustments. The same luxury is not afforded CU. Arizona has been one of the Big 12’s most disappointing teams, but wideout Tetairoa McMillan has lived up to the hype. He is averaging seven catches for 124 yards per game. Can the Buffs keep him out of the end zone without Hunter?

Keeler: Probably not. But I’m not positive they keep McMillan out of the end zone with Hunter. Tall receivers might be the Heisman Trophy candidate’s only true on-field Kryptonite. The 6-foot-5 McMillan torched CU for 107 receiving yards on nine grabs at Folsom a year ago, including a touchdown that he snatched over a reaching Hunter. The press box was stunned, I recall, seeing Hunter get beat like that. It didn’t happen often. Hasn’t happened often since. But McMillan’s a tough matchup. For anybody.

Renck: Without Surtain, the Broncos played more zone coverage, blitzed less and looked a lot closer to their 2023 defense than this year’s unit. But they have the talent to cover this game against New Orleans with Ja’Quan McMillian more comfortable outside with a few days to prepare. CU defensive coordinator Robert Livingston has shown the ability to make adjustments. He must deliver more pressure and slide coverage to the corners, which requires an honest conversation about whether Shilo Sanders should be benched or have his playing time reduced. The Buffs were better without him during the three games he missed with a broken forearm. Listen, Hunter and Surtain are both unique. But Hunter is irreplaceable because of the swagger and confidence he gives his team, to say nothing of his 100 yards receiving.

Keeler: Hunter’s a unicorn. Shilo’s becoming a liability. But if it’s a question of replacing counting stats — LaJohntay Wester would be a WR1 at 98.6% of FBS programs, and Will Sheppard isn’t that far behind — then I like the Buffs’ odds of getting 100 receiving yards from another wideout more than I do the notion of McMillian or Tremon Smith magically coming close to Surtain as boundary cover options. Gonna be an interesting week.

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