The Hype vs. The Reality
Deion Sanders has been hailed as a game-changer for Colorado football. But is the buzz all that it seems? Despite the noise, the reality is far less glamorous. The program has seen over 120 different scholarship players since 2023. Yet, it hasn’t beaten an FBS opponent since last October. The team continues to dominate prime-time television, but not for the right reasons.
Colorado’s Struggles
In their recent 31-26 win over FCS North Dakota State, Colorado barely scraped by. This win, if you can call it that, was far from convincing. The game was a reminder that flashy tactics can only go so far. Slow and steady, as they say, wins the race.
A Misguided Approach
The team, hastily assembled and sold by Deion Sanders as a legitimate contender, has shown the pitfalls of such an approach. The quick-fix mentality isn’t paying off. Instead, it serves as a lesson in what not to do when building a college football program.
The Bigger Picture
While Sanders may bring attention and excitement, the foundation of the team remains shaky. The reliance on hype over substance could spell trouble down the road. Colorado’s close call against North Dakota State might be a sign of things to come. Flash and dash only go so far before the cracks start to show.
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Not the Blueprint for Success
Colorado Barely Edges This isn’t a model for future success. It’s not transformational or inspirational. The team’s performance doesn’t offer a roadmap for navigating the new era of college football, defined by the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness deals. Instead, it’s just plain bad football.
Outmatched by North Dakota State
A team of players who weren’t recruited by FBS schools, many of whom have been with North Dakota State for years, came into town and dominated Colorado for nearly three quarters. On the other hand, Colorado, which started last season with 82 new scholarship players and added 42 more after another offseason purge, struggled to find answers on the field.
Sanders and Hunter: The Lone Bright Spots
Colorado Barely Edges If not for star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wideout/cornerback Travis Hunter, the two best players on the field, Colorado likely would have faced its ninth loss in 10 games. Sanders, a projected top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, has the talent and composure to win games almost single-handedly. He alone could be responsible for three or four wins, the same number Colorado managed in 2023 and will likely achieve again in 2024.
The Likely End
Colorado Barely Edges But the future seems clear. Once Shedeur Sanders leaves for the NFL, Deion Sanders will likely move on, leaving behind a program in worse shape than when he arrived. The experiment will have run its course, and Colorado will be left to pick up the pieces.