College football has always thrived on rivalries, underdogs, and the larger-than-life personalities that fuel the sport’s drama. In recent years, no program has captured the nation’s attention-or ire-quite like the Colorado Buffaloes under head coach Deion Sanders.
As the Buffs transition into the Big 12, they’ve become not just one of the most watched teams in the country, but also the most polarizing, with millions tuning in each week not to cheer, but to root for their downfall.
Deion Sanders: The Catalyst for College Football’s Most Polarizing Team
Sanders has injected new energy and swagger into the Colorado program, and not everyone is happy about it. His brash confidence and unorthodox approach have upended traditional college football norms, making Colorado a lightning rod for criticism and, more notably, “hate-watching.”
“Colorado is one of the most viewed teams in college football and 80% of those views are people hoping that they lose, hoping they could go comment in Deion Sanders comment section like, ‘Hey, your team sucks. Hey, where’s that Louis luggage?” Kevin Borba of “Locked On Buffs” said.
This phenomenon isn’t just anecdotal. According to Sports Media Watch, Colorado ranked among the top five most-watched teams in the 2023 season, with their games drawing millions of viewers-many of whom are “hoping they could go comment” after a loss.
Sanders’ willingness to publicize internal team meetings, his viral locker room speeches, and his direct engagement with critics on social media have only amplified the spectacle.
Sanders’ approach has also brought in a new, sometimes less traditional fan base, further fueling resentment from college football purists.
“People hate that it’s not a traditional program. They hate that he’s trying to bring energy and I guess hype up a program that’s not the Texas, the Ohio State,” Borba said.
The result is a perfect storm: a team that’s both a media darling and a national villain, depending on which side of the screen you’re on.
The National Phenomenon of Hate-Watching Colorado
The Buffs’ polarizing status isn’t confined to the Big 12. The entire nation seems invested in their fate, with each game turning into a referendum on Sanders’ methods and the program’s legitimacy.
“I think there’s probably not a team in college football that more people want to lose than Deion Sanders in college in Colorado,” Borba said, highlighting the unique scale of the phenomenon.
Media coverage has only intensified the spotlight. After Colorado’s upset win over TCU in 2023, social media exploded with debates, memes, and hot takes, while ESPN and Fox Sports devoted hours of programming to Sanders and the Buffs.
Yet, engagement peaks when Colorado falters.
“I get more messages or comments when it’s something negative about Colorado… and then all of a sudden they lose to Kansas and everyone’s like ‘ha Colorado sucks again,'” Borba said.
This cycle of hype, backlash, and schadenfreude has made Colorado must-see TV, regardless of their record. The Buffs’ games are now cultural events, drawing both diehard fans and determined detractors, each hoping for very different outcomes.
KEEP READING: Deion Sanders Faces His Biggest Test Yet at Colorado: ESPN Just Raised a Major Question
Sanders and the Buffaloes have redefined what it means to be a college football villain in the social media era. Their blend of bravado, visibility, and non-traditional success has made them the most hate- watched team in the country, fueling record viewership and endless debate.
Whether you love them or love to hate them, one thing is clear: Colorado, under Coach Prime, is the story everyone is watching.
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