Now it makes sense why CU retired Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 jersey | The Starting Lineup

Turn on the game!

Three must-see events this week:

1. Broncos at Indianapolis Colts (2 p.m. Sunday, CBS) — George Paton’s Broncos recovered quicker from the Russell Wilson oopsie than Indianapolis after Andrew Luck quit on the Colts.

2. Avalanche Rookie Showcase (1 p.m. Sunday) — Our Evan Rawal has been camped out at South Suburban Sports Complex. Check out his review on Monday, but one offseason addition has made a real impression.

3. Wyoming at Colorado (8:15 p.m. Saturday, ESPN) — How long will the big-name TV networks stick with Coach Prime’s Buffs after an ugly start to the Salter-Lewis-Staub era at quarterback?

Numbers game

171 — career wins apiece for Broncos coach Sean Payton and Raiders coach Pete Carroll, a juicy, new twist on the age-old AFC West rivalry. Question is, which one returns to the Super Bowl first?

Box office

$11 — to watch the Denver Pioneers men’s soccer team host Mercer at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium at 3 p.m. Sunday, another chance for the Pios to sneak back into the Top 25 rankings

On this day

Sept. 14, 1991 — San Diego State freshman (and current Colorado running backs coach) Marshall Faulk rushed for an NCAA-record 386 yards and seven touchdowns in a 55-34 win over Pacific

Final word

Turns out CU wasn’t yanking our gold chain when it retired Shedeur Sanders’ jersey. Without the record-setting QB saving their backsides, the Buffs are riding the struggle bus. Pat Shurmur is the easy scapegoat for Buffs-Broncos fans. But it was Deion Sanders who hired and praised the longtime NFL coach. Year 3 of the Prime era has been a salty reminder what Years 1 and 2 would have looked like without No. 2 under center — like the pre-Prime Buffs.

Box office

$11 — to watch the Denver Pioneers men’s soccer team host Mercer at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium at 3 p.m. Sunday, another chance for the Pios to sneak back into the Top 25 rankings

On this day

Sept. 14, 1991 — San Diego State freshman (and current Colorado running backs coach) Marshall Faulk rushed for an NCAA-record 386 yards and seven touchdowns in a 55-34 win over Pacific

Final word

Turns out CU wasn’t yanking our gold chain when it retired Shedeur Sanders’ jersey. Without the record-setting QB saving their backsides, the Buffs are riding the struggle bus. Pat Shurmur is the easy scapegoat for Buffs-Broncos fans. But it was Deion Sanders who hired and praised the longtime NFL coach. Year 3 of the Prime era has been a salty reminder what Years 1 and 2 would have looked like without No. 2 under center — like the pre-Prime Buffs.