As the Colorado Buffaloes wrap up a challenging season with a 3-9 record, questions arise about the coaching strategies employed by Deion Sanders. Returning to Texas with two timeouts unused, Coach Prime has left fans wondering how to improve the program moving forward.
The Buffs” performance under Sanders has been marked by a troubling trend; they own a 6-10 record in games decided by 10 points or fewer. The situation worsens when Shedeur Sanders is not on the field, as Coach Prime”s record drops to 1-5 without his son as the starting quarterback. Overall, the team holds a 3-10 record when someone other than Shedeur leads the offense.
With the loss of a starting NFL quarterback and other elite players, the flaws in coaching become more apparent, culminating in yet another disappointing season. The harsh reality is that the Buffs have finished with a 1-8 league record for the second consecutive year, showcasing the challenges of competing in the Big 12, a conference defined by tight competition and small margins.
As the team continues to fall short week after week, mental fatigue sets in, resembling the buildup of tartar along a gum line. Doubts begin to surface, and questions about the team”s direction linger.
In their recent matchup against the Kansas State Wildcats, the Buffs appeared to have a game plan, attempting to utilize quarterback Kaidon Salter under difficult weather conditions. However, despite starting strong and leading in various statistics, the team struggled to maintain momentum in the second half.
With the game tied at 10-7 in the fourth quarter, Colorado”s decision-making faltered, leading to an unbalanced play calling where they threw nine times and ran eight. In contrast, Kansas State capitalized on their opportunities, accumulating significant rushing yards late in the game.
The Wildcats” attempts to gift the game to the Buffs ultimately fell short as Colorado could not capitalize. The team”s tackling issues and struggles on special teams were evident, limiting their effectiveness in crucial moments.
Following the season, there will undoubtedly be discussions about what went wrong for Coach Prime in his third year. While recruiting a five-star quarterback like Julian Lewis offers a glimmer of hope, the challenge lies in developing talent effectively.
As the Buffs look ahead, integrating players like junior wide receiver Omarion Miller, who excelled in their recent game, will be essential. Miller posted impressive stats despite challenging conditions, demonstrating his potential as a key contributor moving forward.
Throughout the season, Coach Prime”s demeanor reflected the weight of the struggles faced on the field. With pride on the line in their final game, the Buffs showed glimpses of the relentless spirit Sanders envisioned during the summer. However, as the clock wound down and the team faced decisions that could define their future, the need for a strong coaching voice became evident.
Ultimately, with two timeouts remaining in the final moments of the game, Sanders opted not to use them, signaling a readiness to conclude the season and turn the page. The next chapter will be crucial in defining his legacy and the direction of the Colorado Buffaloes football program.
