You have to credit Deion Sanders and his Colorado team for continuing to fight down the stretch despite all hope being lost weeks ago. But in the end, their fight was never enough this season. Too many missed opportunities on offense and a run defense that was gashed week after week were too much to overcome.
Colorado's 24-14 loss to Kansas State on Saturday was its fight straight loss to end the season, and its seventh loss in the last eight games. The Buffs finished Coach Prime's third season in Boulder at 3-8, with a whole lot more questions than answers moving forward.
The Buffs didn't play poorly against the Wildcats. Offensive miscues were prevalent, as they have been far too often. Starting in place of freshman Julian Lewis so the phenom could preserve his redshirt year, Kaidon Salter finished the year as he played most of it: inconsistent.
Salter threw an interception in the 2nd quarter - the game's only turnover - and Colorado saw a field goal get blocked in the first quarter and went just 1-of-4 on fourth downs.
In spite of that, the Buffs would have had a chance if the defense had gotten a fourth-quarter stop. After a Micah Welch touchdown cut Kansas State's lead to just 17-14, the Wildcats went on an 8-play, 75-yard touchdown drive with 60 of the yards coming on the ground. That effectively sealed the deal, giving Kansas State a 10-point lead with just over two-and-a-half minutes to play.
Kansas State racked up 206 rushing yards, a number that was sadly under Colorado's season average of 224 allowed per game.
Coach Prime enters the offseason with a lot more questions than answers
Colorado's roster isn't a total lost cause. There are players here that Sanders can build around. Most notably is freshmna QB Julian Lewis, who looks every bit like the star QB Buffs fans hoped they were getting in last year's recruiting cycle.
Junior WR Omarion Miller has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the country next season. He's a guy the staff will do everything they can to retain. Running backs Micah Welch and Dallan Hayden are a talented duo that the ground game can be built around next year.
The defense has a few pieces, too, like sophomore safety Tawfiq Byard and freshmen edge rushers London Merritt and Alex McPherson.
But with only a 10-man recruiting class coming in, Sanders is going to have to be active in the Transfer Portal. He'll hope to hit on more than he did a year ago. Last year's portal haul, save for a few positive additions, was a gigantic swing and miss.
Sanders will also face a major staff overhaul. He probably needs to replace both coordinators and a plethora of position coaches. The decisons he makes - or doesn't make - this offseason will likely determine how much longer his future lies in Boulder.