Colorado’s TV ratings for games on ESPN have absolutely cratered, dropping a staggering 67 percent from 2023 to 2025. As Hall of Famer Deion Sanders gears up for his fourth season leading the Buffaloes, it’s become painfully clear that the squad is straight-up stumbling and bumbling as a TV attraction. This isn’t just a slight dip, folks, it’s a full-blown nosedive.
The “Next Big Thing” Fizzles Fast
Think back to 2023. Deion was the hottest thing in college football, right? Coach Prime was everywhere, and it felt like Colorado was about to change the game. They kicked off that season with a 3-0 record, sparking all sorts of hype. But then what happened? That promising start melted down into a dismal 4-8 finish. The wheels came off, and the initial buzz started to fade. Then came 2024, and the Buffaloes tried to turn things around, hitting a respectable 9-3 in the regular season. That looked like a step in the right direction, a moment where the “Prime Effect” seemed to be actually translating into wins. But even that year ended with a sour note, as they got shellacked by BYU, 36-14, in their bowl game. It feels like even the good times couldn’t stick the landing.
Backslide, Buyouts, and a “Too Small” Problem
The real backslide, the one that’s got everyone talking, began in 2025. The Buffaloes were without key players like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, and you could feel the program losing its grip. They slumped to a terrible 3-9 record, capping the season with a brutal five-game losing streak. A five-game losing streak? That’s not just a bad stretch; that’s a program in free fall. It’s becoming obvious that Colorado hasn’t managed to turn the Coach Prime hype into the kind of recruiting success that actually wins more games than they lose. And now, heading into 2026, the noise around Boulder is that the players are looking “too small.” Seriously? This isn’t a good look for a team trying to compete at the highest level. Sanders signed a five-year, $54 million deal after the 2024 season, one that runs through 2029. But here’s the kicker: with each passing year, that buyout shrinks. If this team doesn’t turn it around, and fast, you know the powers-that-be in Boulder are gonna bite that buyout bullet and move on.
The games are starting soon, and the pressure on Coach Prime and the Buffaloes is absolutely immense. Is this the year they prove everyone wrong and climb out of this hole, or are we witnessing the beginning of the end for the Coach Prime era in Colorado? We’ll find out when the whistle blows.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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