Last year, Colorado coach Deion Sanders enjoyed a fantastic season, thanks to standout players like Heisman winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. They captivated college football fans as the Buffaloes won nine games. But the start of this season has been tough.
In their Big 12 opener against Houston, Colorado stumbled to a 36-20 defeat that felt more lopsided than the score suggested. Houston led 13-0 at halftime and extended their advantage to 19 points in the fourth quarter. It was a disappointing performance for a team that had so much hype.
Houston had struggled in previous games, failing to rack up 400 yards since a matchup against Rice in early September. However, they surpassed that easily against Colorado, amassing 430 yards, with over 200 on the ground. Quarterback Conner Weigman rushed for two touchdowns in a surprisingly smooth performance.
For Colorado, the outlook seems grim. They were outgained by nearly 150 yards and struggled to control the ball, leaving Houston with almost 15 more minutes of possession. After the game, Sanders expressed his shock at the outcome, highlighting the unexpected nature of the defeat.
One major issue is the sheer number of players Colorado has lost to the transfer portal—74 over the last two years. This is nearly an entire team’s worth of talent. From Sanders’ 2023 recruiting class, only five out of 21 players are still around. While a few, like receiver Omarion Miller, have shown promise, most have moved on to compete at other schools.
Sanders has described his approach to team-building as similar to that of the NFL, but college football demands patience and long-term planning. He recently named Ryan Staub, a third-string quarterback, as the starter, which raised eyebrows. Staub managed to throw for 204 yards while also rushing for a bit. Yet, his offensive line couldn’t protect him, allowing seven tackles for loss and three sacks, limiting his effectiveness.
While Colorado’s rushing attack occasionally produced exciting plays, the 36-20 loss to Houston revealed significant flaws. They still appear to be struggling to find a stable identity on the field. Upcoming games will not be easy; Houston was expected to be one of the more manageable opponents, yet they took Colorado down decisively.
Next, Colorado faces four straight opponents ranked in the top 30. After a challenging matchup with Wyoming, Kansas State and Arizona loom ahead, both of which are likely to be tough contests. To put this in perspective, Houston ranked 48th in the SP+ that weekend. Can Colorado find enough momentum to avoid being heavy underdogs again?
The loss of Shedeur and Travis was anticipated to be a struggle. Both have moved on to NFL careers, leaving a significant gap. Although newcomers like offensive tackle Jordan Seaton and freshman quarterback Julian Lewis show promise, they lack proven college success.
Statistics also reveal that Colorado’s recruiting rankings have fallen to 83rd—definitely not where they want to be. This brings up concerns for the future: Are recruits still interested in a program facing such challenges? The social media buzz seems to suggest hesitance among prospective players. As Sanders leads this high-profile team, questions loom about their direction moving forward.
With a hefty coaching contract of five years at $54 million, Sanders has elevated the team’s visibility. However, without star players, the glow of that investment may begin to fade. Colorado is at a crossroads, and fans are eager for a turnaround. Can they rediscover their winning ways in a ruthless Big 12? Time will tell.
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