Can Colorado Football Return to Its Glory Days Under Deion Sanders?
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I remember watching Colorado football in the 1990s when they were legitimate national championship contenders, and let me tell you, the energy around that program was absolutely electric. Those teams under Bill McCartney and later Rick Neuheisel weren't just good—they were must-see television, regularly finishing in the top 10 and producing NFL talent at an incredible rate. Fast forward to today, and the program feels almost unrecognizable from those glory years. That's why when Deion Sanders arrived in Boulder, I found myself genuinely intrigued by the possibility of a return to relevance, if not outright greatness.
When Coach Prime took over, the transformation was immediate and impossible to ignore. He didn't just tweak the roster—he completely overhauled it, bringing in over 50 new scholarship players in his first season. That kind of turnover is unprecedented in college football, and while it created some short-term chemistry challenges, it also sent a clear message that mediocrity would no longer be tolerated. I've followed college football for over twenty years, and I've never seen a coach remake a program's culture so quickly. The buzz returned to Folsom Field almost overnight, with student sections packed and national media regularly featuring the Buffaloes. That initial 3-0 start in 2023 had even cynical old-timers like me wondering if we were witnessing something special.
The challenge, of course, is sustaining that initial momentum. Colorado finished 4-8 in Sanders' first season after that promising start, exposing significant depth issues particularly along the offensive and defensive lines. In my analysis, the offensive line allowed 56 sacks last season—that's simply untenable for any program hoping to compete in the Pac-12, let alone nationally. Recruiting has improved dramatically, with the 2024 class ranking in the top 25 nationally according to 247Sports, but they're still playing catch-up to programs like Oregon and USC who consistently land top-15 classes. What gives me hope is Sanders' undeniable ability to attract skill position talent—his son Shedeur might be the most polished quarterback Colorado has had since Kordell Stewart, and two-way star Travis Hunter is the kind of generational athlete that most programs only dream of landing.
Looking at the broader landscape, Colorado's path back to prominence is complicated by conference realignment and the expanding financial gap between college football's haves and have-nots. The Buffaloes are heading back to the Big 12 in 2024, which provides more regional rivalries but also removes the recruiting advantages that came with regular games in California. Financially, the program operates with about $85 million in annual athletic department revenue compared to Texas' $240 million—that disparity matters when it comes to facility upgrades, coaching salaries, and recruiting budgets. The previous television deal that provided relative financial stability has expired, and while the new Big 12 media rights agreement offers security, it doesn't provide the same financial firepower as the SEC or Big Ten. That deal has since expired and ran its course, leaving Colorado in a position where they need to outperform their resources to compete at the highest level.
What gives me optimism about Sanders' approach is his understanding of modern college athletics. He's leveraged Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities better than almost any coach in the country, making Colorado an attractive destination for players seeking both development and financial compensation. The social media presence of the program has exploded under his leadership, with Colorado football gaining over 300,000 new Instagram followers in his first six months. This matters in today's recruiting landscape where visibility translates directly to NIL opportunities for players. I've spoken with several recruits who mentioned Colorado's social media presence and cultural relevance as factors in their consideration—something that wouldn't have happened three years ago.
Still, I have my doubts about whether even Coach Prime can fully restore Colorado to its 1990s peak. The college football landscape has changed dramatically, with power now concentrated among programs that either have historic brand strength or massive financial backing. Colorado has the former but lacks the latter compared to true blue-blood programs. The week-to-week grind of Power Five football exposes roster deficiencies in ways that a charismatic coach can only temporarily overcome. While I believe Sanders will make Colorado consistently competitive and likely deliver eight or nine-win seasons regularly, competing for national championships requires a depth of talent that takes years, if not decades, to build.
My prediction? Colorado will become a consistent top-25 program under Sanders, making occasional runs at the Big 12 championship when the pieces align perfectly. They'll be exciting, relevant, and far removed from the irrelevance that plagued the program throughout much of the 2010s. But a return to the absolute peak of college football? That might be asking too much of any coach in today's environment. What Sanders has already accomplished deserves recognition—he's made Colorado football matter again, and for fans who endured those lean years, that in itself feels like a return to glory. The journey ahead remains challenging, but for the first time in decades, it's a journey worth watching closely.