Colorado went out against a 3-6 West Virginia team on the road yesterday and got yet another defeat, 22-29. Deion Sanders changed the QB and the play-caller, but still, the result was the same. Why isn’t it working for the Buffs after a 9-4 season? According to a former CU professor, the buck falls with the head coach.

In his post-game presser, Deion Sanders discussed his kicker, Alejandro Mata, who scored 3 field goals yesterday after missing a one-point conversion in the second quarter. The head coach was asked by the media about his use of a timeout late in the fourth quarter. It was taken when a field goal opportunity came with 1:16 left on the fourth quarter clock on 4th and 13.

“We’ve already got it, seemed like it was blocked, but he missed it, so he was in his head a little bit,” said Deion Sanders about his decision. Coach Prime then elaborated on why he took the timeout. “So you’ve got to take all that stuff into consideration. Was he on the right hash? I don’t know if that’s just his best hash. You think about all these things that I know, I’ve been with him since he was a darn freshman for four years,” said Deion Sanders.  But adjunct CU professor Jake Shapiro had a sharp take on the head coach’s decision.

Shapiro took to X and posted a video of Coach Prime’s interview, calling out the lack of talent at the kicker position. Not just that, but Shapiro also accused Deion Sanders of not keeping kickers like Cole Becker, instead going with Mata.

“If you’re worried your kicker can’t hit a 38-yarder because it’s simply from the right hash, he’s not talented enough. That’s a TALENT issue. Deion is about bringing TALENT to Boulder. Instead, he ran it out at the kicker position and replaced it with Mata,” wrote Shapiro.

Cole Becker transferred from Deion Sanders’ team just a month after he arrived in December 2022. At the time, the former Jackson State head coach was bringing his “own luggage” and didn’t mind the roster attrition.  So, Becker’s transfer was also an oversight that, according to Shapiro, Coach Prime might now regret. Not just that, but Deion Sanders, in his inaugural speech to players, openly called players to hit the transfer portal, which also included some serious talent.

“I’m coming. And when I get there, it’s gonna be changed, so I want y’all to get ready to go ahead and jump in that portal and do whatever you’re gonna get because the more of you jump into (the portal), the more room you make because we bring kids that are smart, tough,” said Deion Sanders in December 2022. But Shapiro’s take doesn’t just signify roster attrition as a problem. It’s also about issues with Coach Prime’s approach in general, which is contributing to the Buffs’ path to their second losing season under him.

The Colorado Buffaloes have no chance to make it to the bowl game. Moreover, the promise by Coach Prime about his team being “physical” and defense “going to fly around” looks like a pipe dream. The Buffs are ranked 91st in passing defense and 130th in total defense. Not to mention, Colorado is yet to get a stable QB.

Silver lining for Deion Sanders amid a disastrous season

Despite the setback for Deion Sanders, the head coach might have gotten his QB1 for the 2026 season. Coach Prime started Julian Lewis against West Virginia, and the QB showed some strong moments of promise. In the third quarter, Lewis passed an impressive 23-yard strike to Omarion Miller, which showed the duo’s chemistry. Coach Prime was impressed with what he saw.

“He was more talkative to his teammates. What I mean by that is you’ve got to communicate with your linemen, your backs, and your receivers. You’ve got to let them know that you’re there, you’re in command, you’re in control, because they’re looking for leadership,” said Deion Sanders.

Julian Lewis is still a freshman and came with a higher ceiling. In the WVU game, the QB passed for 299 yards, completing 22 of his 35 passes for two touchdowns. That sure seems to be a start for the Buffs’ future QB1.