October 17th 2024.
When the Big 12 schedule was first announced, many fans immediately started circling certain matchups as must-see TV. And while this Saturday's game between Colorado and Arizona may not be the most highly anticipated on the schedule, there is one particular matchup within the game that could be worth the price of admission.
As the Buffs make their way to Tucson, Arizona to face the Wildcats, all eyes will be on two of the best players in the country. Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, known as one of the top receivers in the nation, will be going head-to-head against Colorado's own Travis Hunter, who is widely considered one of the best cornerbacks in the country.
During a press conference with local media, Arizona head coach Brent Brennan expressed his excitement for this showdown between two exceptional players. "Who wouldn't be thrilled about this matchup? These are two outstanding players going head-to-head," he said. "I may be focused on the bigger picture of the game, but for everyone watching, this is definitely an exciting matchup."
In their last meeting on November 11, 2023, Arizona narrowly defeated Colorado with a final score of 34-31 at Folsom Field. During the game, Hunter and McMillan faced off on several plays, with McMillan being targeted five times while being covered by Hunter. According to Pro Football Focus, McMillan only caught three passes for 15 yards, but one of those catches was a 2-yard touchdown that tied the game at 24-24 in the third quarter.
Now, both players have grown and improved, making this upcoming matchup even more intriguing. McMillan, a 6-foot-5 junior, is currently third in the nation for receiving yards per game, with an impressive 42 receptions for 742 yards and four touchdowns. He is even projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
When asked about his game plan for slowing down McMillan, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said, "We don't want to give away too much, but we're definitely going to give it our best shot. This kid is phenomenal, exceptional even. That's why he's one of the best in the country. But we've got our own talented quarterback who will find a way to get him the ball, just like Shedeur and Travis."
While McMillan is undoubtedly a star on the field, Hunter is making a name for himself as one of the top candidates for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in the country. Standing at 6-1 and 185 pounds, Hunter has already recorded 18 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups this season. Many experts are predicting he will be a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
According to PFF, Hunter has only been targeted 20 times this season when covering receivers and has only allowed 14 catches for 111 yards and no touchdowns. But facing McMillan will be his toughest challenge yet, and the mindset of the Colorado defense remains the same. As Pro Football Hall of Famer and current coach of the Buffs, Deion Sanders, says, "I never needed extra motivation to go up against the best of the best. That was just my life. And I can see that same mentality in Travis."
It's clear that Hunter and the rest of the defensive backs will have their work cut out for them, especially with the addition of former Buffs standout, Montana Lemonious-Craig, on the Arizona receiving squad. But Hunter remains unfazed, knowing that winning these battles will be crucial for a Buffs victory.
Alongside Hunter, players like DJ McKinney, Preston Hodge, and Colton Hood will be counted on to shut down the Arizona receivers. Hood says, "We just need to trust our technique and stick to who we are. We've got the talent to cover them, no doubt. So as long as we stick to our game plan and play our game, we'll be able to shut them down."
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