The Colorado football coach is defending his program against one of college football’s leading voices
Deion Sanders reacts to Paul Finebaum calling Colorado ‘nothing’
DALLAS — Paul Finebaum isn’t the one fueling the Colorado hype this season—Deion Sanders is doing that himself, says Finebaum, who harshly criticized the Buffaloes and their 2024 prospects during SEC Media Days in Dallas this week.
“I know the media loves this story and we get all excited, but Colorado isn’t important in college football,” Finebaum said Monday. “Deion Sanders is. He’s a unique figure, one of the most charismatic coaches out there, but Colorado is irrelevant. They don’t matter in the grand scheme of college football.”
Sanders responded to Finebaum’s harsh comments on social media after watching the clip from ESPN’s First Take inside the Omni Hotel.
“God is good, my brother, and they are really mad! I sense a bit of anger and hostility. Lolololololol God bless Robert Griffin III for always keeping it real,” Sanders wrote on “X.”
Sanders and the Buffaloes have had a tumultuous offseason ahead of their first campaign in the Big 12, marked by significant roster changes through the transfer portal. Summarizing the offseason events in Boulder is difficult due to the numerous changes since the last recruiting cycle, ranging from staff changes and position group depletion to a talent overhaul in key areas, including the offensive line.
“Anyone asking if Deion Sanders and Colorado are close to making the playoffs simply doesn’t understand the reality,” Finebaum said this week. “They won’t make the playoffs this year, and I doubt Deion Sanders will ever get them there because I don’t think he has the patience to stay at Colorado long enough. Deion Sanders is the best salesman I’ve ever seen. I personally love the guy and what he stands for, but the program itself has an overly inflated view of its potential.”
As BuffStampede put it succinctly after the spring transfer portal window closed earlier this year, Colorado had to endure a “silly season” this summer. By late May, 41 players had entered the portal from Colorado’s roster since the end of the season, and 42 new players had committed to being part of Sanders’ phase II rebuild through the transfer portal.
Achieving bowl eligibility and meeting national expectations this fall will heavily depend on players like Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and others stepping up as standout performers. Finebaum, however, remains unconvinced.