The Pittsburgh Steelers Are The Sole NFL Team To Have Scout Present At Exciting Oregon Vs. Colorado Game

The Hall of Fame cornerback has successfully led the Colorado team to an astonishing 3-0 start, further solidifying his impact as a coach. Sanders and his team have recently taken the world of college football by storm as they defied the odds in their season opener by defeating the then No. 17 Texas Christian University. Pittsburgh apparently has personnel at the game. It is not known which scout is there, but it still comes as a shock to many, considering Pittsburgh is the only NFL team that is represented. 

A multitude of scouts make it a point to attend practices throughout the week, which provides them with an extended window of opportunity to closely observe how players interact between their teammates and coaches. Additionally, these scouts have the advantage of receiving game footage, which can be sent to them and viewed at a later time, further enhancing their ability to evaluate player performance. 

Spearheaded by the talented quarterback Bo Nix, Oregon has established itself as a dominant force, ranking an impressive fifth in the nation in terms of passing yards per game, with an average of 363.3. This statistic set the stage for a promising encounter against the Buffaloes, whose pass defense has struggled and currently stands at 107th in the country.

For Colorado, their pass defense is set to face even more challenges, as they are without their talented two-way player, Travis Hunter (lacerated liver). Hunter has been an instrumental figure on both offense and defense, who played 152 snaps in their game against TCU and only allowed three receptions for 52 yards while recording four tackles, three pass breakups and three sacks. Notably, in their season-opening game, Hunter demonstrated his exceptional ability by executing a diving interception within the red zone, successfully preventing a potential scoring opportunity for the Horned Frogs.

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Despite this, Colorado has already proven their propensity to emerge victorious despite being heavily underestimated and have exceeded expectations by successfully covering the point spread in two out of their initial three games of the season. In each of these matchups, the Buffaloes have managed to amass an impressive tally of over 35 points, thereby presenting a challenge for Oregon in terms of covering such a substantial point differential. 

The Buffaloes are led by their junior quarterback and coach's son, Shedeur Sanders, who has exhibited remarkable precision and finesse with a completion rate of 78.7 percent, equating to a substantial 1,251 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception. In comparison, Nix has also demonstrated commendable accuracy, achieving a completion rate of 77.6 percent, resulting in a respectable 893 yards and an admirable eight touchdowns, all without a single interception.

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Shedeur Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes throws downfield against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium Sept. 2, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Steelers' Kenny Pickett Was Ahead Of Sanders In Draft Rankings

According to the draft board at Pro Football Focus' draft board, Sanders is ranked as the top prospect from Colorado for the 2024 NFL draft at number 44 overall, while Nix is leading the Ducks and is ranked at number 25. When Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was playing for the University of Pittsburgh, he ranked 20th overall before being drafted by the Steelers. 

Under the leadership of quarterback Pickett, the Panthers showcased exceptional skills and determination, leading them to the prestigious ACC Championship. Now in his second year as quarterback, Pickett will need to prove that he can serve as a long-term weapon for Pittsburgh and show that his preseason success wasn't just temporary.