Deion Sanders was looking up some Colorado football stats the other day. For example, they led the Big 12 in sacks and were one of only five teams in the nation to record 100-yard games with four different receivers.
“This is the first time since Moby Dick was a small fry that we’ve had three consecutive road games with more than three turnovers,” Prime joked.
“This is my first consecutive win since Lord Curled,” he said with a laugh.
Colorado is 5-2 and will host Cincinnati on Saturday (10:15 p.m. ET) for a Big 12 championship and a possible automatic berth in the College Football Playoff. It will be played (again) at a packed Folsom Field and broadcast (again) on national television (ESPN).
“We’ve gotten to where we are,” Coach Prime said. “We actually feel that we are better than we are because we are just beginning to understand the fruits of our labor and the expectations we have for ourselves. Forget what you have, forget what you have for yourself.”
Mr. Sanders arrived in Boulder to much fanfare and much criticism. He made no apologies for essentially firing players he didn’t believe in and bringing in a new roster (“My Louis”) through the transfer portal.
There were many bold statements and reckless goals. The Buffaloes quickly became popular on television, but there was a lot of backlash against the show, which was considered to have nothing to prove. Last year they got off to a fast start, but finished with 4 wins and 8 losses.
Well, we’ve come this far. With a string of strong results, Prime’s way is starting to look like a winning path. There are only five games left in the 2024 season, so we don’t know what will happen in terms of final results.
But any judgment on Sanders’ Colorado plan must be made against the backdrop of what he inherited: the worst major program in the country.
The 2022 Buffs went 1-11 and struggled to attract large crowds or national attention. Not only was this the program’s 16th losing season in 17 years, it was an uncompetitive one. They lost those 11 games by an average margin of 32.4 points. They allowed over 50 more touchdowns than they scored.
Sanders will be the ninth head coach since 2010, either full-time or on an interim basis.
Now, they boast both a thrilling two-way Heisman Trophy candidate (Travis Hunter) and a potential first-round pick at quarterback (Shadur Sanders), and they actually didn’t have to appear on national TV all that much. People are asking whether this is the case. Because they get an earlier kickoff slot.
“Once upon a time, (we) were begging to be on TV,” Prime said. “We’re not going to shut up just because we’re on national television.”
Dion’s opinions are always preset with often passionate opinions on both sides. He was always like that. He has a different way of doing things.
But what’s worth noting is that Colorado would have been thrilled to hire a coach who can turn a losing season into something like this in a season and a half. Profits are up. Sales of goods are also increasing. Season ticket sales are increasing. Applications are now being accepted.
This was Sanders’ doing, and despite his doubts, he unapologetically entered the portal believing he could build a team that way.
Deion Sanders, quarterback Shedur Sanders (2 years old) and safety Shiloh Sanders (21 years old) before the University of Colorado Buffaloes vs. University of Arizona Wildcats football game. (Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Right now, it looks like Colorado isn’t just good, it’s getting better. Not only does CU lead the Big 12 in sacks, 16 of those sacks have come in the last three weeks as the defensive line has solidified in a way many thought was impossible on short-term rentals. I want you to think about that.
“We kind of know what we’re doing,” said Sanders, who previously coached at Texas State and FCS Jackson State’s prep schools. “I know it didn’t seem like we did it early on. We’ve been doing this for a while. I’ve been making the team since I was at the youth level and nothing in the ‘hood in Dallas. I made something out of it.
“We kind of know how to manipulate the landscape a little bit,” he continued. “And now it’s coming true and we’re excited about it.”
Unlike other coaches, Sanders doesn’t prioritize recruiting high school players. CU has only eight spots available for the Class of 2025. Rather, they would like to access the transfer portal at the end of the season and handpick young players. He’s no longer sold on the idea of success in Boulder, so he’s hoping for a big win this December.
“Winning helps with recruiting,” he said. “The whole thought process of people participating in something that’s successful. People don’t want to be part of something that’s failing. They want to be part of something that’s successful.”
As for bringing in dozens of high school recruits, he doesn’t see the point. All he wants is players who have a chance to get on the field right away.
“Why would you take 30 kids out of high school if 30 kids aren’t going to play?” Sanders said. “Last year, we played probably the most freshmen (in the conference). I know it might be possible,” he said.
All of this has drawn a lot of attention to Sanders — some good, some bad. But so far, no one can argue that it’s not working where almost nothing has worked in the last 20 years.
Will he be able to keep it going even if Shadur and Hunter go to the NFL? No one knows, but replacing talent like that is something all good programs have to deal with. Will he stay at CU forever? No one knows for sure, but a coach who turned a 1-11 team into a winner so quickly might have the option of resigning.
For now, Prime is all CU. He shook hands with some of the campus grounds staff this week to thank them for their work.
“This campus is incredible. Some of us walk around it every day, and I was just talking about how beautiful it is,” he said. “These grounds are impeccable.”
A season and a half into this experiment, the grass is much greener in Boulder.
