CU Buffs' bowl hopes dashed in West Virginia

Driving the news: With the 29-22 loss in West Virginia, the Buffs dropped to 3-7 overall and 1-6 in the Big 12.

• The defeat guarantees Deion Sanders' second losing season in three years at CU.

State of play: There were flashes of hope for Buffs fans as freshman quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis held his own in his first career start.

• With the postseason out of play, CU could still sit Lewis and maintain his redshirt, but he told reporters after the game, "I wanna play football ... I've been sitting down all season."

The intrigue: Sanders has a busy offseason ahead, with several decisions regarding the roster and the coaching staff.

• It is hard to imagine offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will return after being demoted midseason, so Sanders may be in the market for a play caller who can get the most out of Lewis and the Buffs' explosive playmakers.

The big picture: Sanders' off-field impact is undeniable — he's attracted top recruits and sparked an economic boom for CU and Boulder.

• But the on-field results have been mixed, and Sanders' in-game decision-making in close games has come under scrutiny.
• And while he is signed through 2029, he also battled an off-season cancer scare and had another surgery during the season. At some point, he may have to prioritize his health.

What's next: CU is on a bye this weekend, but then the Buffs return to Boulder for Senior Day and the final game of the year at Folsom Field on Nov. 22.