Deion Sanders labels All-City Stadium open practice massive Colorado football turning point

Deion Sanders believes the Buffs' open practice at All-City Stadium in Denver was a massive turning point in fall camp for a Colorado football program that seemingly stalled during the dog days of summer.

"This is phenomenal for the university," Deion Sanders said post-practice (h/t Footballscoop). "This is phenomenal for the young men. Usually in camp, everybody hits a little lull and you try to catch them before they hit that so they can bring some excitement, so they can push through. 

"Just the whole monotonous of the same-ole, same-ole routine. And that's what this was about today. I think they did a phenomenal job. I'm proud of them."

The practice was a turning point on the field and in media relations for Sanders' practice. CBS Colorado's Justin Adams extended an olive branch to Coach Prime by lauding the Denver- based event as "bigger than numbers" and "impactful."

"Colorado held a college practice in the inner city for the youth to see," Adams prefaced before saying, "Somethings in life are bigger than numbers, my friend. This was impactful for all kids in Denver Public Schools."

North Dakota State-Colorado football betting line moving in Buffs' direction

Sportsbooks seem to believe Sanders about the momentum-boost this practice, and fall camp in general, have given them. The line for North Dakota State-Colorado in Week 1 has moved in the Buffs' direction.

The Bison will be overmatched from a pedigree perspective but it's all about making big plays on game day. Preparation is what leads to that.

For those worrying about CU being too focused on extra-curriculars, it appears as though the defense is ready to wreck havoc -- particularly Warren Sapp's defensive front -- and the offense has the big-play receivers to compensate for a running game that may still be behind the 8-ball via a shaky offensive line; based on early returns in fall camp at least.

Week 1 may not be the worry many once believed it was.