Deion Sanders and Colorado: A Quiet Resurgence
While Deion Sanders hasn’t been the center of viral media moments or high-profile confrontations with celebrities, his impact on Colorado’s football program is undeniable. The Buffaloes, who finished at the bottom of the Pac-12 last season, are now quietly crafting a strong 5-2 record and positioning themselves in the competitive Big 12 title race with five games still on the schedule.
“We’re not who we used to be, but we sure ain’t where we wanna be,” Sanders remarked after a decisive 34-7 victory over Arizona in Tucson. The performance of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and standout wide receiver Travis Hunter has been pivotal, leading Colorado to a commendable 3-1 start in Big 12 play.
Though he hasn’t shied away from the spotlight entirely, Sanders recently took a playful jab at former President Barack Obama. After Obama commented that Colorado had “a couple good players” and suggested not to bet against the Wildcats, Sanders responded, “President, I heard what you said. Come on. We got more than two good players. … Somebody gave him some great statistics, but President, come on, man. You my man. I love you, appreciate you, but come on, dog.”
A Rollercoaster Season
The Buffaloes’ journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Following a challenging loss to Nebraska, where Colorado was overwhelmed with a 28-0 halftime deficit, it seemed the season might spiral out of control. The Cornhuskers sacked quarterback Shedeur Sanders six times, and the Buffaloes struggled to run the ball, managing only 16 rushing yards. Sanders himself faced scrutiny after throwing an interception returned for a touchdown, which led to pointed criticism of his offensive line.
However, since that disheartening defeat, Colorado has turned things around. The team rallied to defeat rival Colorado State, pulled off a miraculous win against Baylor with a last-second Hail Mary, and shocked UCF, winning by 27 points as underdogs. Even in a narrow loss to Kansas State, Colorado showed resilience, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter before conceding a game-winning touchdown pass.
Looking Ahead
With a 3-1 record in conference play and two more Big 12 wins than the previous season already secured, a bowl game appears to be within reach for Colorado. This would mark the first bowl appearance since the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020. Competing for a conference title remains a possibility, with the Buffaloes among six teams in the Big 12 with either no losses or just one loss in conference play.
- The remaining schedule features only two games against teams with more than one conference win: Cincinnati and Texas Tech.
Injuries have plagued Colorado, particularly affecting the receiving corps. Key players like Jimmy Horn Jr. and Travis Hunter have missed time, and sophomore receiver Omarion Miller is out for the season. The offensive line continues to be a point of concern, allowing pressure on 34% of dropbacks this season, ranking 100th nationally. However, despite these challenges, Shedeur Sanders has excelled, placing fourth nationally in completion percentage and 16th in passer rating, with an impressive 19 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Although he’s been sacked 25 times, which puts him among the most pressured quarterbacks in the nation, the offense has found a semblance of a running game, a stark contrast to last season where it was nearly nonexistent. Since the Nebraska game, the Buffaloes have rushed for at least 90 yards in four out of five games, a feat they accomplished only three times the entire previous season.
A Transformative Defense
The transformation of Colorado’s defense has been remarkable, largely due to the influx of talent from transfers such as linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green and cornerback DJ McKinney, along with edge rushers BJ Green II, Samuel Okunlola, and Dayon Hayes. Coach Deion Sanders has revamped the roster, bringing in 52 scholarship transfers in his first offseason and following that with 43 more this year. The defense has seen significant turnover, with only three starters remaining from last year, one of whom is Sanders’ son, Shilo, who has faced his own challenges after recovering from an arm injury.
Under the direction of first-time defensive coordinator Rob Livingston, who joined from the Cincinnati Bengals, Colorado’s defense has made substantial improvements. Last season, the Buffaloes ranked poorly, sitting at 115th in yards per play and 124th in scoring defense. This year, they have jumped to 62nd in yards per play and 47th in scoring defense, a remarkable turnaround.
In a recent game against Arizona, the Buffaloes showcased their defensive prowess, sacking the Wildcats’ quarterback seven times and limiting them to a mere seven points. This performance was achieved even without Travis Hunter for part of the game due to injury concerns.
Conclusion
Despite early-season struggles and questions about team cohesion with such a high turnover of players, Colorado has proven resilient. The Buffaloes are currently enjoying their best stretch under Coach Sanders, and a victory against Cincinnati would secure their first bowl game since 2007, a significant achievement for a program that was once at the bottom of the Power 5 landscape. As they continue to gain momentum, the Buffaloes are poised to reclaim their place in college football, demonstrating that substance can indeed triumph over the spectacle.