The Colorado Buffaloes are off to a challenging start this season with a 2-3 record. Fans and analysts are starting to ask some tough questions.
As they get ready for their week 6 matchup against the TCU Horned Frogs, talk has shifted to the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in college football. Coach Deion Sanders has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on NIL.
He addressed whether these deals are affecting the team’s performance. Despite his criticisms of NIL, Sanders says the Buffaloes’ struggles aren’t about money—they’re about what happens on the field.
The Buffaloes’ Season So Far
The Buffaloes have had a rocky start, sitting at 2-3. They’ve been competitive in most games but just can’t seem to finish things off.
Their biggest loss came against Houston, where they fell by 16 points. The other two losses? Much closer—one-score games against ranked teams Georgia Tech and BYU.
Competitive but Falling Short
They’ve shown flashes, hanging tough with some top teams. In the BYU game, Colorado looked strong in the first half and had a real shot at an upset.
But then came the self-inflicted mistakes. Defensive penalties, shaky time management—it’s been costly. You can’t fix that stuff with more money or NIL deals; it’s about discipline and execution, plain and simple.
Deion Sanders’ Views on NIL
Deion Sanders has been pretty outspoken about NIL’s role in college football. At Big 12 media day, he floated the idea of a cap on NIL deals, sort of like the NFL’s salary cap.
He thinks a cap would level the playing field a bit. Still, Sanders insists NIL isn’t the reason for Colorado’s current record.
Focus on Performance, Not Money
He’s repeated it over and over—the team’s issues don’t come down to money. Sanders points out they’ve played solid football in all but one game this season.
The real problem? They can’t seem to close out games. Sanders is convinced the talent is there, but the execution just isn’t.
This was obvious in those tight losses to Georgia Tech and BYU. They had chances to win but couldn’t get it done.
Challenges Ahead
Looking forward, the Buffaloes face two more games against ranked opponents. But if they’ve shown anything, it’s that they can hang with tough teams.
If they can clean up the mistakes and manage the clock better, maybe they’ll pull off a surprise or two. That’s a big if, though.
Time Management Issues
Time management has been a thorn in Colorado’s side. In several games, poor clock management meant they ran out of time on crucial drives.
That’s something the coaching staff really needs to fix. Otherwise, the season could keep slipping away.
Looking Forward
As they gear up for TCU, the Buffaloes have to focus on executing their game plan and cutting down on errors. The talent is there, but they’ve got to play smarter, more disciplined football if they want to turn things around.
Key Takeaways
NIL deals have been a hot topic in college football lately. Still, Deion Sanders doesn’t think they’re the reason for Colorado’s struggles.
The Buffaloes have shown flashes of being able to hang with top teams. But let’s be honest—they’ve got to sharpen up their execution and manage the clock better if they want to turn those close calls into wins.
The schedule ahead? It’s not getting any easier. If Colorado wants to make something of this season, they’ll need to sort these issues out—fast.
Curious for more on the Buffaloes and Coach Prime’s take on NIL? Check out Sports Illustrated for the latest.
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