Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes Upset No. 17 TCU in Coach’s Debut
Believe the hype. Deion Sanders’ debut as Colorado coach was nothing short of remarkable. The Buffaloes pulled off a stunning upset against No. 17 TCU on Saturday, surpassing even the highest expectations.
Many skeptics doubted the capabilities of the Buffaloes after undergoing an unprecedented roster makeover. However, Colorado proved them all wrong with a dominant performance against a team that played for the national championship last season.
Shedeur Sanders, Deion Sanders’ son, made his mark by setting a school record with 510 yards passing in his first major college football game. The quarterback transferred with his father from Jackson State, and his performance certainly showcased his potential.
Receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter also had a standout game, playing 129 snaps and making 11 catches for 119 yards. His interception in the red zone was a game-changer for Colorado. Hunter proudly sported a T-shirt with an image of his Hall of Fame coach during the postgame interview.
Freshman Dylan Edwards, who was lured away from Notre Dame by Coach Prime, made a significant impact with 159 yards from scrimmage on 11 touches and four touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. This win snapped Colorado’s 27-game losing streak against ranked teams on the road.
Sanders made sure to call out the doubters after the game, asking a reporter if they finally believed in the team’s abilities. The victory not only showcased Colorado’s potential but also highlighted Sanders’ exceptional job reconstructing the roster almost from scratch and getting it ready for Power Five football.
Offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, who left a head coaching job at Kent State to join Sanders’ staff, proved to be an excellent hire. Colorado’s next game against Nebraska, another team with a highly-anticipated new coach, promises to be a thrilling matchup.
Looking ahead, the Buffaloes have a challenging schedule, facing off against Oregon and USC later in September. The defense will need improvement, and the offense should focus on running the ball more effectively to relieve pressure on Shedeur Sanders. Despite these areas for growth, Colorado’s potential in the Pac-12 is promising.
The Pac-12 conference has been under scrutiny during the offseason, with only two schools committed beyond this year. Failures in leadership and decision-making have put the Conference of Champions in a precarious position. However, the exciting games during the opening weekend provided a glimpse of the conference’s potential.
Other notable performances from the weekend included Ohio State’s uninspiring quarterback situation, Alabama’s strong showing against Middle Tennessee State, and the impressive debut of Penn State’s new starting quarterback, Drew Allar.
Upsets were also a theme, with Fresno State beating Purdue, Northern Illinois defeating Boston College in overtime, and Texas State securing its first-ever victory against a Power Five team by beating Baylor.
Overall, the college football season is off to an exciting start, with plenty of surprises and exciting matchups on the horizon. Fans can expect to see more of Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes in the coming weeks.