When Deion Sanders took over Colorado, it seemed like the sky was the limit for the Buffaloes. Opening up the season with an upset victory over the then-runners-up of the last season, No. 17 TCU, and following that with victories over Nebraska and Colorado State in Weeks 2 and 3, some even wondered if the Buffaloes could mount a College Football Playoff challenge.
Even when the victory was followed by a devastating defeat to Oregon 6-42, it still seemed like there was much to be hopeful about in 2023. No one was more ecstatic at the time than Deion Sanders, and an appearance on Fox Sports’ “Undisputed” is the perfect example of the atmosphere around Boulder in those weeks:
“They can’t help but expose themselves … The more coaches talk about me, the more that kid is thinking, ‘Let me go find out what’s over there,’” Sanders told friend and Dallas Cowboys former teammate Michael Irvin during the interview.
.@DeionSanders responds to critics claiming he didn’t pay his dues to coach Colorado:
“They can’t help but expose themselves. The more coaches talk about me, the more that kid is thinking: ‘let me go find out what’s over there.’” pic.twitter.com/exYtDsYQ2C
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) September 29, 2023
However, the defeat to the Ducks was the start of a rough patch for the Buffaloes and Deion Sanders. Colorado would only win one of the next eight games. The only other victory they had that season was a close call against Arizona that ended 27-24.
Colorado ended dead last in the Pac-12 standings that year, with a conference mark of 1-8 and an overall record of 4-8. It wouldn’t be until 2024 that the true effects of the Coach Prime overhaul at Colorado could be seen, when the school ended with a 9-4 overall record in their first season in the Big 12.
Deion Sanders thinks Colorado can be even better in 2025
Now, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Colorado Buffaloes is whether they can improve upon their 9-4 record, and break into the double-digit wins club. Many analysts see this as unlikely, given that the Buffaloes lost key pieces like quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way starter Travis Hunter to the NFL Draft.
Not Deion Sanders, he thinks the exact opposite. For him, the 2025 Buffaloes have even greater potential than the 2024 team. He expressed this opinion during the Big 12 media days last week:
“They were great players. We have a better team,” Sanders said (via Athlon Sports). “There’s a difference between great players and a great team. We have a better team, but we can never replace those types of players. It may take three players on offense to replace a Travis Hunter. It may take two players to replace a Shedeur Sanders, and that’s what we brought here.”
There’s also a narrative that says that Deion Sanders is no longer as interested in coaching, following his sons’ departure to the NFL.
Regardless of this, Deion Sanders remains a true competitor, and he hasn’t brought a bowl victory to Colorado yet. Until he does that, he will probably not consider the stint at Boulder a success.
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