BOULDER, Colo. — As college football playoff aspirations emerged, discussions around Deion Sanders sparked both support and criticism. Nevertheless, there’s much to celebrate about Colorado football this season—it’s been a remarkable run.
The 2024 season has been quite successful for the 23rd-ranked Buffs, achieving a solid record of 9-3 after a dominating 52-0 victory against Oklahoma State in the regular season finale. This season marks a significant increase of at least five wins compared to the previous year.
Travis Hunter, who has been a standout player, is making a strong case for the Heisman Trophy. In the recent game, he showcased his skills with an interception, three touchdown receptions, and accumulated 116 yards on ten catches. His performance could lead him to become Colorado’s second Heisman winner in a matter of weeks. Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders, his coach’s son, threw for an impressive 438 yards and five touchdowns, shattering single-season records in both categories.
What was once an overlooked program is now set to participate in a well-known bowl game, like the Holiday or Alamo Bowl, while also holding an outside chance of contending for the Big 12 championship. This potential was further highlighted by the announcement of four high-profile recruits opting to join five-star quarterback Julian Lewis in Boulder next season.
This all reinforces that, for the most part, the coach’s confidence was not misplaced. Last September, following a heavy 42-6 loss against Oregon that raised doubts among fans, Sanders boldly stated, “You better get me now. This is the worst we’re going to be.”
Since those tough times, Colorado has made significant headway. While they have faced challenges throughout the season, including a disappointing end last year — especially memorable for a blown 29-point lead against Stanford — they managed to secure five wins in their last six games. The recent victory mirrored their continued growth, demonstrating that they can decisively overcome weaker opponents.
Shedeur Sanders once again proved his worth with a solid performance, living up to the expectations for a first-round draft pick. Hunter’s showcase on the field added further strength to his Heisman candidacy, intensifying the curiosity surrounding the Jim Thorpe Award, which had overlooked him as a finalist for the nation’s best defensive back.
Despite such a commanding win, the question remains: why isn’t Colorado making it to the playoffs? The dominant performance rekindled hopes that they could perform well in the new 12-team playoff structure and prompted some fans to speculate about missed opportunities.
Just a week prior, they were envisioning a path to the playoffs, needing three wins over three games to propel their coach and players into the national spotlight. Instead, their return to the Big 12 will be remembered with the stain of notable losses, including defeats to Nebraska and both Kansas teams—a mark on their season that no fan over 40 can overlook.
While the initial loss was deemed manageable, the subsequent defeat did not derail the campaign; however, the third setback—a 37-21 loss to the Jayhawks—compounded issues for a team that got overwhelmed by its recent success, as remarked by Sanders.
To keep their playoff hopes alive, Colorado will require a series of favorable outcomes, particularly losses from two out of three teams: BYU, Arizona State, and Iowa State, all favored this coming Saturday. Should fireworks align, and if Colorado manages to bag the Big 12 title, they could secure a playoff spot—a dream scenario not just for the fans, but for broadcasters and anyone craving excitement amidst the holiday football circumstances.
In more likely scenarios, Colorado is poised to make headlines at either the Holiday or Alamo Bowl. As Hunter prepares for potential Heisman festivities, the coaching staff faces uncertainties about Sanders’ future. Nonetheless, current indications—including Sanders’ remark about having his “kickstand down” in Boulder— suggest he intends to stay put.
The upcoming early national signing period on Wednesday holds significance as it will mark a crucial moment for recruits, including Lewis and top-10 defensive end prospect London Merritt, as they finalize their commitments.
If these new additions live up to their reputations, Colorado can expect to maintain its heightened profile in the national arena—even amidst speculations about whether standout players like Hunter and Shedeur Sanders could be generational talents that change the fate of the program.