By Rock Westfall
This past Saturday night, Boulder, Colorado, hosted one of the best college football games and atmospheres in recent memory. The Colorado Buffaloes hosted the Kansas State Wildcats at an electric Folsom Field that hosted an overflow sellout crowd. Although the game had a late kickoff time, it was featured on ESPN because the suits knew it would be ratings gold.
For my money, the optics were even superior to those in Eugene, Oregon, where earlier that evening, the Oregon Ducks knocked off the Ohio State Buckeyes in front of a raucous sellout at Autzen Stadium with the Big Ten lead on the line. No sport could match the nuclear energy of the Buffs and Cats. It was epic and what college football is all about.
Deion Sanders, the catalyst of change, has completely transformed the once desolate landscape of Colorado football. Before Coach Prime, a game between the Buffs and any opponent other than Nebraska would have seen thousands of empty seats. Now, under his leadership, the stadium is packed and the atmosphere is wired.
On that Saturday, we bore witness to an ignited crowd and significant pockets of K-State purple, all contributing to the super-charged atmosphere. This is the undeniable power of Colorado’s Prime transformation, a force that has reinvigorated the Buffaloes and brought them back into the national spotlight.
However, as the saying goes, ‘Coach Prime giveth and taketh’. The same man who has achieved the impossible by making Colorado Football the cool thing to do and the place to be is also the man most responsible for the Buffs’ loss in a 31-28 heartbreaker. This duality of his influence is a testament to the complexity of his role in the team’s journey.
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Two Things Are Simultaneously True
Deion Sanders, the master promoter, has worked wonders for Colorado football. His unparalleled skills have turned the once indifferent Colorado fans into a passionate and engaged fan base. A team that was once ignored on television during its “Pac-12 After Dark” days is now a ratings bonanza. The Buffs are a hot topic, and it’s all thanks to Coach Prime’s promotional prowess. Prime’s influence is so strong that even a mundane topic like a men’s room break would generate more clicks than any other topic.
On the other hand, Coach Prime has taken too many shortcuts during his time at Colorado. Unlike all coaches who are serious about building a sustainable program, Prime refuses to leave the comfort of his luxurious pad and hit the road recruiting. Instead, Sanders prefers a heavy emphasis on the transfer portal, which leads to Colorado’s fatal weakness as a football program.
Interior line play is the most difficult and time-consuming project for any football program. While you may be able to blend in skill players from the portal quickly, the interior lines play as a unit. It can take multiple seasons before a program’s line play becomes an asset. The Buffaloes signed only five offensive lineman in the 2023-2024 recruiting classes, that’s not going to get it done.
On Saturday night, Kansas State rushed for 185 yards on 43 carries at 4.3 yards per clip. Four sacks allowed made those numbers worse than the true effectiveness of K-State. The Wildcats had a 35:00 time of possession compared to 25:00 for Colorado. Thus, an already thin Colorado defense was ground into hamburger and gassed.
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The Colorado defense ranks 94th in the nation overall and 87th against the rush. Even more problematic is the CU offensive line. Colorado ranks 131st for rushing yardage this season and continues to struggle to protect QB Shedeur Sanders, who was sacked six times and pressured all game.
Sanders has been sacked 24 times this season and the lack of protection is harming his decision-making. He is unable to utilize patience and be selective, feeling the constant heat of enemy pass rushers, thus having to rush throws.
Without the ability to run the ball effectively, Colorado’s defense is not complimented nor given enough rest during games. Colorado’s lack of quality defensive linemen allows teams to eat up the clock, wear out defenders, and score points, putting pressure on Shedeur to play catch-up. It is a vicious cycle that won’t work long term.
Colorado’s lack of interior line play also leaves them vulnerable when its skilled stars are injured. Against Kansas State, CU lost receivers Jimmy Horn Jr., Omarion Miller, and Terrell Timmons Jr. to injuries. Most importantly, WR/DB and Heisman Trophy hopeful Travis Hunter was also injured. With no ability to run the ball to compensate for the injuries, allowing K-State to focus on the pass, Colorado was fortunate to nearly pull off the upset.
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The Buffalo in the Room
Shedeur, Hunter, and Horn are all leaving for the NFL Draft at the end of the season. Shilo Sanders, Deion’s other son on the team, will also run out of eligibility, though his NFL prospects are not certain.
At that point, Coach Prime will be without the superstar skilled playmakers that followed him to Boulder and gives him a chance for a winning record in the relatively weak, though highly exciting, Big 12.
To his credit, Sanders has brought in some talented players and more are visiting campus. Still, the Buffaloes only have eight commits in 2024, tied with Vanderbilt for the lowest in the Power Four. As I recently wrote, it is more likely Coach Prime and Shedeur will come as a package deal in the NFL, unless Florida State has enough mad money to buyout Mike Norvell and bring its favorite son home to become HC. Recruits don’t want to commit to a coach that will soon be gone.
Deion Sanders deserves full marks for creating a phenomenal atmosphere at Folsom Field on Saturday night. But this drama, unlike any other, will proabably go dark in December. So, enjoy it while you can.
Thanks for a great night, Prime. We won’t soon forget it.
Last one out please turn off the lights, thanks!
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