The Big 12 is heading into the final week of the regular season, and Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes’ path to Arlington hangs in the balance after Saturday’s 37-21 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks. The Buffaloes, who had been on a four-game win streak, fell to 8-3 in the overall standings and are now in a four-way tie with BYU, Iowa State, and Arizona State at 6-1 in conference play.
Kansas rushed for 331 yards with no turnovers or punts at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, while Colorado only gained 42 yards and never led. The Jayhawks, despite having a losing record (5-6, 4-4), have three consecutive wins over ranked teams: Iowa State, BYU, and now Colorado. The Buffs’ playoff hopes depend on further wins and a dash of luck.
Deion Sanders on Colorado Buffaloes’ Loss to Kansas Jayhawks
After the game, Coach Prime, a former Dallas Cowboys star, spoke to the media and reflected on the loss:
“We started smelling ourselves a bit. … We got intoxicated with the success.”
Colorado HC Deion Sanders reflects on his team's mindset after losing to Kansas. pic.twitter.com/ZLcwuftWm5
— ESPN (@espn) November 24, 2024
Fans have criticized the defeat, and Coach Prime and the Buffaloes are taking the brunt of it.
“Big L.” A fan said.
“Colorado is so overrated,” another wrote.
Kansas senior running back Devin Neal was the star of the show, totaling 287 yards and four touchdowns (three rushing and one receiving).
“Nah you got humbled by Kansas and their running back lol,” a fan commented.
“Travis shoulda played more snaps. Maybe that woulda helped.” A fan chimed in.
Although the Buffs were defeated, wide receiver Travis Hunter continued his Heisman-level play. He caught eight passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns, his sixth 100-yard game this season, tying a school record. On defense, he had seven tackles and broke up two passes, almost intercepting them.
“Buff lacks team synergy. Too many great individuals,” a fan opined. “I fear they just ended any hopes of an extended season,” a fan wrote.
The Buffaloes now need to beat Oklahoma State next Friday and rely on the right mix of results from Arizona State, BYU and Iowa State to reach the Big 12 Championship game.
Before Saturday, Colorado had a 46.39% chance to win the Big 12, according to College Football Network. After the loss, the chances are now 5.45%. If all the teams in the tie win their next game, the Buffs will finish fourth. For Colorado to make it, two of the other three teams need to lose in Week 14.
Is Sanders Still Eyeing the NFL?
On ESPN’s show Get Up last week, Schefter compared Sanders’ situation with Jim Harbaugh and expressed how he was approached by several NFL teams following his 14-1 season with the Wolverines. He stated:
“The NFL is an entertainment business, OK? And last year there were, I believe, eight or nine teams that changed head coaches, and I think there were two of them that actively pursued Jim Harbaugh. Now, whether or not you look at this and agree with it, Jim Harbaugh knows football, and he is a big draw.”
Both Sanders and Harbaugh have had successful careers as NFL players and are now enjoying successful coaching careers. Both possess deep knowledge of the game, and struggling NFL teams are always on the lookout for such coaches. Schefter believes that, while Sanders wishes to stay in Colorado, there might be an NFL team owner who could convince him to coach their team.
“Deion Sanders knows football and is a big draw, and while he has his kickstand in Colorado, there may be an owner out there thinking … ‘I want to bring a big name with football knowledge who would be an asset to the guys in my locker room, and I’m going to make it really hard for Deion Sanders to say no.’”
There was a similar hype around Harbaugh last year, as he was approached by NFL teams like the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. He was reportedly offered a 10-year, $125 million contract from the Washington Huskies that would have made him the highest-paid coach in college football.
However, he still decided to enter the NFL and coach the Chargers. He currently has a five-year deal with the Chargers, earning an average annual salary of $16 million, placing him among the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.
Will Sanders follow the same path and raise his coaching portfolio with a highly paid NFL job, or is he truly committed to staying away from the pro league and continuing to nurture talent in college football?