- NCAA. Colorado player denies rumors of Deion Sanders' departure as team head coach
- NCAA. Deion Sanders' rival reveals his strong feelings about Shedeur Sanders and Colorado
Deion Sanders, a legend in the NFL with two Super Bowl victories, a Defensive Player of the Year award in 1994, and the distinction of being the only athlete to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series, is now focused on building his coaching legacy.
Entering his second season as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, Sanders is looking to apply the lessons he learned as a player. This upcoming season is likely to be his last alongside his sons Shilo, a defensive back, and Shedeur, the team's quarterback. As anticipation builds, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Coach Prime and his team can rise to the challenge and make a significant impact in college football this season. In an Instagram Live session, Coach Prime expressed his sentiment, saying, "This season will be special, this is my last hoorah with my sons."
Despite starting last season with a promising 3-0 record, the Buffaloes struggled, winning only one more game and losing eight, including a six-game losing streak. This year, they aim to turn things around, bolstered by the emotional drive of what could be the final college season prior the NFL Draft of 2025 for Sanders' sons and the versatile Travis Hunter, who plays both offense and defense.
Sanders' heartfelt words have fueled optimism that the team will improve and potentially secure a spot in the expanded NCAA playoff format, which now includes 12 teams instead of just four. A high-profile team like Colorado could significantly benefit from the new format, bringing much-needed attention and credibility. A successful season would also enhance the draft prospects for the Sanders brothers and their teammates, leading to greater financial rewards and recognition if they're selected in a high draft pick.
The new playoff format is structured as follows: the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded Nos. 1-4 and receive a first-round bye. Seeds 5-12 will face off in the first round, with the higher-seeded teams hosting these games. The matchups are: No. 5 vs. No. 12 / No. 6 vs. No. 11 / No. 7 vs. No. 10 / No. 8 vs. No. 9
New Year's Six bowl games will feature in the quarterfinal round, with the semifinals played in rotating bowl venues, and the national championship host site determined through a bidding process. The Buffaloes' journey begins on August 29 at home against North Dakota State. For the second consecutive season, Colorado has sold out its season tickets, highlighting the "Prime Time" effect brought by Deion Sanders.