BOULDER — LaVonta Bentley came to Colorado with one clear goal in mind: to get to the NFL.

After four years in a limited role at Clemson, Bentley was searching for something bigger and he’s found that with the Buffaloes. Last season, he was one of the few consistent performers for a struggling defense. This season, with new and improved talent around him, he’s contributing to a defense that is contributing to wins, not preventing the team from getting them.

In his final season of college football, Bentley has helped the Buffs get to a 6-2 record through eight games and within striking distance of the Big 12 championship game, and thus, the College Football Playoff — something he experienced in the first two years of his career.

Here’s everything the veteran linebacker had to say this week:

Q: What have you seen from Texas Tech’s offense?

A: Like (linebackers) coach (Andre Hart) said, a lot of RPOs. They want to run the ball with (Tahj Brooks). That’s about it. It’ll be a physical game.

Q: Where does Tahj Brooks rank in terms of the talented running backs you’ve gone against this season?

A: I can’t rank ‘em. He’s just like everybody else. He gets the ball and we gotta go attack the ball. That’s what it is. He’s pretty patient when he runs, like Kansas (State’s) running back (DJ Giddens), but we just gotta do our job at the end of the day.

Q: Coming off the second bye week, how do you feel physically?

A: I feel great. I’m ready to go out there and attack.

Q: What’s it like heading into the last four games of your college career and how much are you looking forward to soaking it in while also going out on a high note?

A: It’s a sense of urgency. You gotta face every game like it’s your last game. You never know what can happen out there. It’s coming to an end, but I know God’s gonna bless me with many more.

Q: Now in your second season here at CU, what’s been the biggest thing you’ve been able to take away so far?

A: I would say effort and (to just) be you. Just go out there and put your best foot forward each and every day and you know you’re gonna get rewarded for it at the end of the day. It might not be when you wanted it to be, but it’s gonna eventually come.

Q: How rewarding is it for you and your teammates that you do have everything in front of you after some of the struggles the team had last season?

A: It feels great. We know that we gotta come out each and every game like it’s our last game and we gotta put our best foot forward. Everybody’s playing for the team, playing for themselves. Everybody’s trying to get to the next level. Most of the guys on the team, it’s their last year, so we know what’s at stake and we gotta go out and get it.

Q: Coach Prime said Tuesday that the team looked like a playoff team during practice. What does a playoff team look like from your perspective?

A: Just communicating, playing fast and physical, everybody out there doing their job, flying around and we’re hitting at practice, so we bring that fire and in the game that’s when we can show it.

Q: The last three road trips for this team have pretty dominant wins. Is there something about going on the road that brings this team together?

A: I think (it’s) just (about) starting fast. That’s what the coaches preach to us every game, just go out there and don’t be just a second half team. Go out there and show what you can do in the first half and then once you get the corrections for the second half, go back out there and do it again.

Players to watch

Colorado: QB Shedeur Sanders, DT Anquin Barnes

The last time Shedeur Sanders threw for over 400 yards was in the season opener against North Dakota State. Against a Texas Tech defense that allows more passing yards per game than any team in the Big 12, this could be the week Sanders has a vintage performance throwing the football. Defensively, the Buffs have had their depth tested due to injuries on the defensive line, but players like Barnes have stepped up and allowed the defense to not miss a beat. They’ll be tested again this week against an explosive Red Raiders offense.

Texas Tech: WR Josh Kelly, LB Jacob Rodriguez

Running back Tahj Brooks is the headliner, but Washington State transfer Josh Kelly has benefited the most from Brooks’ presence on the TTU offense. Kelly is QB Behren Morton’s top target and will be a lot to handle for CU’s secondary as someone who averages over 7 catches and 80 yards per game. On defense, Rodriguez leads the Red Raiders in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss and is coming off a massive game in the upset win over Iowa State.