Colorado nearly suffered their first loss of the Deion Sanders era in a friendly against an outmatched foe, serving as a reminder that the unpredictable nature of college football goes both ways. Ultimately, the underdogs are hounded and fortunes change in an instant. At kickoff, Colorado was a 23 point favorite. This shouldn’t have been close. However, the close result did not put a cloud on the sunny optimism that has overtaken Boulder.
The positive outlook is that Colorado is in for a setback. Until the 59th minute, Colorado would receive an epic humiliation a week earlier than expected. Then, with less than a minute left, Shedeur Sanders uncorked a deep strike on Jimmy Horn Jr. outside the numbers and inside the 15-yard line. Horn feigned a receiving defensive back’s off-balance by shifting his weight to the left and swinging back to the right, giving him a clear path to the end zone. The ensuing two-point conversion catapulted both teams into overtime, where Colorado took care of business.
Egos were bruised, but Deion Sanders is still the hottest name in college football’s coaching ranks. Paul Finebaum wish casting Coach Prime succeeding Nick Saban at Alabama is premature, but he may coach his way into a bigger job. He may be the most progressive coach for this era of college football. His avant-garde use of the transfer portal and NIL has revitalized the flagging Buffaloes program and upended the college football establishment. Ultimately, this is a sport that relies on recruiting and relies on appealing to teenagers. Coaching insight or X’s and O’s come second.
Deion couldn’t have been this version of himself three years ago, during the previous NIL era. He is the end game of the rampant capitalism spreading in college football. Two years ago, athletes wearing social media handles on practice uniforms would have resulted in a bowl ban. Deion would have been shot to the dark side of the moon by the NCAA for donating sunglasses to one player, let alone arranging for sunglasses to be distributed to the entire team, as he did this week in response to Jay Norvell’s Shadow. Most of Deion Gucci luggage would have had to apply to be eligible after transferring from other programs.
But the flash has solidified into substance. Now 3-0 Sanders and the Prime University Buffaloes are about to enter their Pac-12 meltdown. The fact that Colorado is ranked ahead of the Ducks is a testament to Coach Prime. Colorado’s talent upgrade has made them relevant in the Top 25, but Oregon and USC have a dozen Travis Hunters. Like rivalry games, showdowns against conference powers often come down to coaching preparation, in-game adjustments and a bit of luck. The next two weeks will be the toughest test Shadeur has ever faced outside the United States Celebration bowl. If Colorado thought Colorado State was tough, they haven’t seen anything yet.
Next week, Colorado will face a Ducks squad that has crushed its first three opponents by a margin of 137 points. The following week USC is ranked fifth and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Over the past year, Deion has been trying to promote his son’s Heisman campaign while still at Jackson State. Shedeur Sanders’ 348 yards and four touchdowns are a bit misleading, but he generated offense when it mattered.
After the win, Shedeur told ESPN’s Stan Verrett channeled his “Brady mode.” Colorado needs Shadeur to make Brady mode its standard operating procedure. He wasn’t a factor until the final possession and two overtimes. His brother Shiloh, Deion’s fifth childhad a bigger impact by returning a pick-six and forcing a fumble in the red zone. Shedeur’s Heisman candidacy took a hit for his late game heroics against Colorado State cemented his legacy, but in three starts Caleb Williams has been flawless. If ever there was a benchmark for his rising NFL Draft stock, USC week will provide it.
The downside is that Colorado may have to play without their best receiver and closing angle. Colorado State players chirped all night long. They heard the noise and came to fight. Lethal two-way threat Travis Hunter left the game in the first quarter after finding himself on the receiving end of a cheap shot from a Colorado State defender. Missing him next week or more would be a major blow to Colorado’s slim chances of an upset in either game.
In a sport that is built on the attention span of those people the aforementioned teenagers can move the country forward quickly. Deion survived a week, but Deion’s disruptive tactics have made him and his players prey. After building up the hype, here he is gotta keep it up.
Follow DJ Dunson on X: @brain sportsex