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CU Buffs look to keep the momentum going as K-State visits Folsom Field – BuffZone

Vaseline October 12, 2024

Game at a glance

Matchup: No. 18 Kansas State Wildcats at Colorado Buffaloes

Kick-off: 8:15 PM MT

Where: Folsom Field in Boulder

Capacity: 50,183 (grass)

TV: ESPN

Radio: KOA (850 hours)

Chances: Kansas State with 3.5

Series: CU leads 45-20-1

Like many parents do with their children, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has always believed in the potential for greatness among his team.

Sometimes it takes a while for young people to realize their own potential, and the same goes for the Buffs. But as he prepares to lead CU into a big battle with 18th-ranked Kansas State on Saturday at Folsom Field, Sanders is like a proud parent as he sees his team starting to play up to its potential.

“Great, because I’ve seen it before,” said Sanders, whose team has won three games in a row. “I know coaches and parents get upset because we know your abilities, we know what you have in you, and we just want you to live your purpose and what you should be doing.

“Just to see them come into their own, just to see them carry out the assignments, just to see how they want to do it, just to see them organize team meetings themselves and come here on the practice field and work independently go without us, shoot, that’s what you want. I mean, those are the kind of guys you wanted to gather together and name the team.”

Trailing 28-0 at halftime against Nebraska on Sept. 7 in Lincoln, Neb., there were legitimate concerns about whether the Buffs would realize their potential. Still, Coach Prime pointed out mistakes in the locker room and tried to rally his team.

Colorado staff and players react on the sideline after a touchdown against Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

“Play for each other, man. Stop divorcing. Play for each other,” he told the Buffs. “Let’s get together, man. We have this. We are going to finish strong.”

The Buffs have won six of seven halves since then, including a 10-0 lead over the Huskers after intermission that night.

CU followed that 28-10 loss by beating Colorado State 28-9 a week later. Then they rallied to stun Baylor 38-31 in overtime. That was followed by the Buffs’ most complete game under Coach Prime, a 48-21 loss to Central Florida on September 28 in Orlando, Florida.

With Kansas State coming to town, confidence is growing as the Buffs have played their best football of Coach Prime’s era.

“Definitely,” defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo said when asked if the Buffs are gaining confidence. “It comes with preparation as we prepare every week. We just had a bye week, and it was much needed and well deserved by everyone on the team, but now that we’re back, it’s preparation. As long as we prepare well and stick together, everything will be fine.”

Sanders became a Hall of Fame player in large part because of his immense skill, but also because of his preparation for the game. That message gets through to his players.

Before the UCF game, the Buffs traveled early, flying on Wednesday instead of Thursday or Friday to stay ahead of Hurricane Helene. The extra time together led to more cohesion and more time to study film. It has paid off.

“It’s a moment that will definitely help them,” Coach Prime said.

The extra preparation helped CU dominate a good UCF team and, in the eyes of many across the country, changed the perception of the Buffs. It may have opened some eyes in the locker room, too, as the Buffs saw what it can look like when they’re completely locked down.

Beat K-State and the Buffs are among the top contenders for the Big 12 title.

Of course, Coach Prime isn’t surprised. He has seen the potential in his children all along.

“How can you be surprised that you are winning in life?” he said. “How can you be surprised that you put on a nice outfit and someone says you look good? How can you be surprised when you leave the barbershop and look in the mirror and say, “That’s it!” How can you be surprised by the expectations you have of yourself? The only way you can be surprised is if you weren’t expecting it. We expect the results when we work on it. I just don’t want it to go to their heads. But we shouldn’t be surprised about where we are now. We should be grateful to understand what allowed us to be where we are today, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you.

“You’re starting to see this becoming a reality. It’s real. We didn’t talk it into existence. We know what we see.”

Originally published: October 11, 2024 at 2:29 PM