Colorado experiences a first under Coach Prime during another bad loss

The Colorado Buffaloes fell to the Arizona State Sun Devils by a score of 42-17. Another bad loss in a season that has been full of them. This loss brings the Buffaloes one step closer to securing the worst loss under Deion Sanders in his three seasons in Boulder.

The game began promising enough. Colorado struggled to move the ball on offense but got some help from their defense. A timely stop in the redzone forced an early ASU field goal. Following good field position and a 39-yard Micah Welch run, Dallan Hayden walked in a go-ahead touchdown.

Arizona State matched that touchdown and Colorado scored a field goal just before halftime. Colorado, up by one at the half was a welcomed surprise facing the reigning Big 12 champions.

The second half was a different story. The Sun Devils ‘added’ 230 yards rushing, a hundred yards passing, and lost the turnover battle four to one. They would finish the day with 580 yards of total offense, give up over 350 yards on the ground (a 7.9 yards per carry average) and committed almost a hundred yards in penalties.

The 'Prime Effect' is not moving the needle as it once did

The attendance for the final home game of the 2025 season included the lowest attendance number since Deion Sanders took over in 2023. 43,348 fans attended this game. More than 6,800 less than Folsom Field’s 50,183 capacity. Selling out games has been a constant under Sanders and a reasonable indication of fan excitement.

Three weeks ago, a local radio host asked Sanders after a loss about recruits and answering for the on-field performance. Sanders gave an answer about his confidence in his job. As for the recruiting aspect of the question, Sanders pivoted to a dogs vs cats answer. Suggesting dogs want to come and fix what’s wrong. Colorado has lost three recruiting targets since those comments.

Colorado’s athletic department and University administration may still believe in Sanders, but too much more play trending in the current direction and Coach Prime might be in danger of losing fans. A program can have a bad year. A coach can be given grace amidst a bad year with tons of change and life-threatening health concerns. However, typically in situations such as that, the program shows signs of a change in that trajectory.

The Buffaloes have dropped the last four game in a row, by an average score of 44-15. The offensive line has improved, but that is not improving the offense’s ability to score. The running game is improved but the two top rushers only have a shade over 600 yards combined and neither is over four yards per carry. For the third season in a row, the Buffs have a respectable group of receivers. The top three has a combined 1,418 yards. For context the top three receivers from 2024 (T. Hunter, L. Wester and W. Sheppard) had 2,800 between them.

No one will criticize Sanders for losing most of his offensive production from last year. However, they have another week to show signs of moving back in the right direction before entering an offseason bound to be filled with questions. Whether its talent, coaching, attitude or motivation, Sanders will likely need to make some difficult decisions after this season but before spring ball to turn this around.

Next week the Buffaloes travel to play Kansas State. If they lose that game, it will mark the worst win total under coach Sanders. If they win that game, it will tie the four-win mark set in 2023.

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