When Coach Prime, Deion Sanders, first arrived in Boulder, Colorado, he quickly became the toast of the college football world. His larger-than-life personality, coupled with his high-profile moves to reshape the Colorado Buffaloes, captured national attention. Sanders wasted no time in overhauling the Buffaloes roster, filling it with a mix of transfer portal talent, including his sons Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders, and recruiting elite players like Travis Hunter. As the 2023 season began, fans and analysts alike were eagerly anticipating whether Coach Prime could turn around a team that had struggled in recent years.

The Buffaloes started the season strong and silenced many doubters with a 3-0 start. Wins over TCU, Nebraska, and a thrilling 35-43 overtime win against in-state rival Colorado State put Colorado in the national spotlight. It wasn’t just that the Buffaloes won, it was the way they won. Shedeur Sanders played at an elite level and proved to be one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country. Travis Hunter, despite playing both offense and defense, stood out as a game-changing talent on both sides of the ball. Colorado looked like they could compete with any team they faced.

But as quickly as the hype built, it began to fall apart. The Buffaloes were brought down to earth after a 42-6 loss to Oregon, which exposed many of their weaknesses, especially on the offensive line. This loss was the first of several as Colorado faced the harsh reality of competing in the highly competitive Pac-12 Conference. As the losses piled up, so did criticism from fans, analysts and even opponents. Shedeur Sanders, despite his impressive individual performances, was sacked more than fifty times during the season, taking a physical toll that led to injuries including a broken back. The once-great excitement surrounding the Buffaloes turned to skepticism, with many wondering whether Sanders’ bold approach could really hold up.

But even in the midst of adversity, Coach Prime and the Buffaloes refused to fold. They continued to fight, driven by the belief that they could still rise from the ashes and prove the doubters wrong. With injuries to key players such as defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo and running back Dallan Hayden, Colorado had to dig deep. Sanders emphasized the importance of staying focused and performing on the field, and making sure the team doesn’t lose sight of their goals.

The identity of this Colorado team is clear: it’s all about the passing game. Shedeur Sanders remains the maestro, leading the offense with precision, while Travis Hunter remains one of the most exciting players in college football. Despite the challenges, Coach Prime has instilled a winning mentality in his team, pushing them to raise their level of play. During a press conference on Tuesday, Sanders emphasized the importance of learning from both victories and defeats, and offered his players a challenge: “If God gave you what you wanted in this game, what would it be, and what would you sacrifice for it?

As Colorado enters the heart of their Big 12 schedule, they remain determined to continue their successes, including a recent win against UCF. Coach Prime continues to push his players, believing that the best is yet to come. The Buffaloes will look to carry that momentum into their matchup against Kansas State, focusing on proving their doubters wrong once again. They may be seen as the underdogs, but under Sanders’ leadership they are ready to show they belong in the conversation for a playoff run, defying expectations and setting a new standard for success in Colorado.