The Colorado Buffaloes continue to prove the doubters wrong.
On Saturday, Deion Sanders‘ No. 18 Buffs demolished the Utah Utes 49-24 at Folsom Field to improve their season record to an impressive 8-2.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was 30-for-41 for 340 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, while two-way star Travis Hunter caught five passes for 55 yards and also had an interception and the first rushing touchdown of his career.
Coach Prime’s Buffaloes won their fourth game in a row — the longest streak of the Coach Prime era — to improve to 6-1 in Big 12 play.
The Buffaloes are currently chasing down the BYU Cougars with two games to go, but remain in control of their own destiny needing two more wins to earn a berth in the Big 12 championship game.
After a 4-8 debut season, Sanders has the once struggling program exactly where he said he’d have them by Year 2.
The Dallas Cowboys legend is a divisive figure, infamous for his outspoken nature and unconventional coaching methods.
It’s an approach that has rubbed many people up the wrong way, however, Prime Time’s results speak for themselves and his team is one of the most exciting in the country.
Friend and former NFL pro Shannon Sharpe recently came to Sanders’ defense, suggesting certain pundits and media folk often change the narrative around the ex defensive back to constantly undermine his credibility.
“When Deion was getting beat last year, everyone was like ‘I told y’all, I told ya’ll,’” Sharpe said on a recent episode of his ‘Nightcap’ podcast.
“Now they’re winning, the conference isn’t any good.”
“Is every team they’ve played not very good? Because that seems to be the narrative everyone wants to spin.
“Y’all to do anything y’all can to try to undermine the man’s credibility and what he’s been able to do.
“You were celebrating, now you’ve gone radio silent!”
Sharpe says the criticisms hurled at Sanders are along the lines of, “How dare you be so outspoken? Why you can’t be “coach-like”? Why you gotta have chains? Why you gotta have Prime on your sleeves?”
“Sometimes people have a problem with black men being outspoken…We’re supposed to be humble, we’re supposed to be thankful.”
Nightcap co-host Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson agreed, saying, “Prime marches to the beat of his own drum.
“He has his own style of coaching. Prime doesn’t follow the script on the way coaches should act and behave in a certain manner.
“He does it his way and and it works the way he does it.”
Ocho also said he hopes some peoples’ ‘vendetta’ against Sanders doesn’t get in the way of Hunter’s Heisman Trophy chances.
On Saturday, the superstar receiver/cornerback once again proved he’s one of the most electrifying players in college football.
The 21-year-old did a little bit of everything on both sides of the ball, playing 132 snaps.
Hunter has posted 911 yards and 74 receptions as a wide receiver this season whilst also scoring nine touchdowns.
As a cornerback, he’s made 16 solo tackles, seven assisted, eight pass deflections, a forced fumble, and three interceptions — one of which was for a TD.
“I don’t want voters that are voting for the Heisman to allow their hatred or their dislike for Prime, his coaching style, and the way he carries himself… to affect that of the players that are deserving of that Heisman,” Ocho said.
“Especially the number 12.
“Let’s not do that, let’s not be egregious because of your personal vendetta against a head coach that’s done a [f*****] phenomenal job.”
Sanders himself shared a similar sentiment after the Utah win.
“If they can’t see, they can’t see,” Sanders said. “It is what it is. I mean, Travis is who he is. It’s supposed to go to the best college football player. I think that’s been a wrap since, what, Week 2?
“So we ain’t petitioning for nobody. We ain’t doing that. We’ve got a wonderful display of cameras here and I think we’re on national television every week. If they can’t see it, there’s a problem.
“Don’t allow their hatred for me to interfere with our kids’ success. They gotta stop that. Y’all gotta stop. Some of y’all are like that. Y’all gotta stop that, man. Give the kids what they deserve, man. I had my turn. I played 14 years. You had 14 years to hate me. Now let it go.”
Next up for the Buffs is the Kansas Jayhawks on November 23.
Sanders will no doubt look to continue his amazing work in the college ranks amid strong rumors of a return to the Cowboys to replace under fire head coach Mike McCarthy.
