Cliff Grassmick / Staff Photographer)
In returning to national relevance for the first time in more than a decade, the Colorado football team has played great on defense and, at times, on offense.
They've put in a lot of work in the offseason, on and off the field. They've leaned on experience and maturity.
However, Colorado (7-2, 5-1 Pac-12) would not be where it is today — leading the Pac-12 South division, No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings, No. 16 in the Associated Press poll and No. 15 in the USA Today Coaches' poll — without each player buying into the idea of excelling in his own role.