Three takeaways from Colorado football's loss at Northwestern

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The Colorado Buffaloes suffered an embarrassing 41-7 loss to Northwestern on Saturday night. Deion Sanders called the defeat a “flat-out butt kicking" during his post-game press conference. And that might be the only thing he got right during the Buffs' rare visit outside the Windy City.

Colorado had nothing to hang their hat on against the Wildcats, who dominated the game inside and out. While the game seemed out of hand early, there were points where adjustments needed to be made and weren't.

Then the Buffs couldn't overcome mistakes and turnovers. Colorado had seven possessions that ended in turnovers, either abruptly on downs. Northwestern had 17 points off turnovers. Not to mention, 80 yards worth of penalties was also a self-inflicted wound.

The weather and environment also played a factor in the Buffs' demise. With severe storms concentrated in pockets across the country, this was one of many games under threat of being delayed. Also, construction on the new Ryan Field has been ongoing, forcing this matchup into a makeshift 15,000-seat venue. Just a reminder that Soldier Field is nearby and available.

Here are three takeaways from the Colorado loss to Northwestern.

Death, taxes and Chip Kelly's offense

The former NFL coach deserves praise for putting together a brilliant game plan. His wheel route calls killed Colorado and any momentum they tried to grasp all night. The Buffs probably knew what Kelly had loaded up and the defense had no answer.

Kelly has always operated with the approach of not fixing something that isn't broke. He showed that once again with another Buffs' loss to a team with him as a coach. Northwestern running back Joseph Himon II caught three touchdown passes out of the backfield. To make matters worse, he was the first Big Ten rusher with 100-plus all-purpose yards and three touchdowns as a receiver in a game since 1995.

Deion Sanders tried to pin this back on defensive coordinator Chris Marve and his unit's preparation. “How many times did they wheel route us? We’re calling it on the headset. We have to do a better job preparing," Sanders said after the game.

What Sanders fails to realize is Kelly's biggest contribution to the Wildcats wasn't his play calls. It's clear Northwestern's defense snuffed out Brennan Marion's Go-Go scheme. Every time Lewis tried to get fancy or there was a misdirection, the Wildcats were already there. This was a masterclass in coaching by Kelly, who passed it along to the rest of David Braun's staff.

Deion Sanders and his staff got exposed. Does this hurt down the line?

Colorado didn't do enough on both sides of the ball and it was noticeable. The offense with the Go-Go scheme isn't being ran by the right personnel and it's starting to show. Julian Lewis isn't operating as a dual-threat quarterback, which is part of how Marion's scheme is constructed. If this is "basketball on grass," as Marion describes it, this looks like the pick-up version, instead of the NBA.

The Buffs defense generated 14 pressures against Northwestern with one sack, one quarterback hit and 12 hurries on 23 dropbacks. Despite being in the backfield, Aidan Chiles went 17-of-22 for 241 yards and three touchdowns. This means he had a clean pocket eight times and still torched CU's secondary. What happens when Colorado has to face Utah and Texas Tech in consecutive games next month?

Colorado’s tight ends aren't understanding the assignment

The Buffs' base offense utilizes a two tight end set. However, they can't be decoys who don't block or pass catchers who don't have their number called. This has been one of the most frustrating things watching this Go-Go offense be deployed by Marion. It's time to get an offensive scheme that fits all the personnel on the field.

Lewis isn't going to running around for his life trying to move the sticks. Let him work the way he was recruited. The former five-star is more of a pro-style passer. It's time to spread the ball around with more involvement from the tide end position. This had become too much of DeAndre Moore and Joseph Williams trying to buff up their stats. Danny Scudero is out with a foot injury and Cam Perry has been MIA. It's time to find those underrated "hungry dogs" Sanders went out and recruited.

Colorado starts Big 12 play Saturday at Baylor. The Noon ET kickoff will be on ESPN2.