With Colorado’s season opener at Georgia Tech set to kick off shortly, ESPN’s First Take posed a question that reaches well beyond tonight’s game.
“What’s at stake for Deion Sanders?”
Stephen A. Smith’s answer came with both a warning and an endorsement. He believes Coach Prime can turn the Buffaloes around, but he questioned whether Sanders could survive another season resembling last year.
“You want that attention. You want that sizzle. But you also need the results,” Smith said.
The discussion centered on what Colorado must show this season, with Smith emphasizing that Sanders’ ability to draw attention to the program must be accompanied by improvement on the field.
“You cannot have a replica of that happen again this upcoming season. Otherwise, I don’t think he will survive,” Smith said.
That was Smith’s assessment of the potential consequences of another disappointing season, not a report that Colorado is considering a coaching change. He immediately made clear that he expects a better outcome.
“I don’t think it’s going to happen. I believe in the brother. I believe he’s going to turn it around. But last year cannot happen again. Not this bad.”
Harry Douglas offered a more measured timeline. He does not view Sanders’ job as being in immediate jeopardy but believes this season could determine whether that becomes a discussion next year.
“So, I don’t think his job is on the line this season, but if it doesn’t look drastically better than it did in 2025, then we go to talking about the hot seat for 2027,” Douglas said.
For Douglas, improvement begins with establishing stability on offense. With Brennan Marion directing the offense and Julian Lewis at quarterback, the Buffaloes have an opportunity to begin building that consistency.
“You got to have that sustainability and also that continuity,” Douglas said.
His concerns extended beyond the offense. Colorado needs to establish something more dependable on at least one side of the ball.
“At least on one side of the football, can you be dynamic? Can you be explosive? Can you hold your own? It can’t be offense is terrible and defense is terrible.”
Tonight’s game will provide the first look at whether Colorado can deliver the improvement both analysts expect. One opener will not settle the larger questions surrounding Sanders’ program, but the Buffaloes’ opportunity to start answering them is almost here.
Colorado and Georgia kicks off now on ESPN.
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