Rivalry awaits Deion Sanders in the path ahead. Now that the Colorado Buffaloes have recommitted themselves and taken a U-turn to enter the Big 12 race, they will face some tough competition. On July 3, Locked on Buffs podcast host Kevin Borba conversed with Chris Level of Locked on Texas Tech.

While Deion has filled the loopholes that resulted in the disastrous 4-8 narrative last season, the Red Raiders are plagued with injuries that have forced them to shuffle their offensive line. But it seems they, too, have sorted out their position battles, and Coach Prime better be alarmed. 

Will Texas Tech have an edge?

Amid the ongoing rumors that the conference was about to fall apart, the Buffs decommitted themselves from the Big 12 in 2010. However, it’s official: Colorado is back to the Big 12, holding Deion’s hand. And with this, Coach Prime had better keep himself braced as it would reignite old rivalry. As pointed out by the Level, the Buffs’ return will not threaten Tech since they already have prior experience, “You look at a map and it just the travel doesn’t make any sense…there’s no regionality to it. Texas Tech was in a conference back in the ’50s and ’60s with the Arizona schools, the border conference so it just there’s some familiarity here.”

It will be easier for them to use their good old strategy with few alterations against Deion’s tribe. However, it’s going to be a whole new experience for Colorado since they never had a rival in the Pac-12. Other than the “Big 8 familiarity,” Joey McGuire’s squad performed well in the 2023 season, as their conference record went 5-4. But this season, things are different since they have hit certain roadblocks. 

McGuire strengthens while Deion faces a dilemma

Redshirt freshman linebacker Mike Dingle’s return has been put on hold. He has yet to get a green pass from the medical team, as the player is struggling to regain strength in his shoulder. While McGuire was aware of Dingle, Davion Carter, the Memphis transfer’s battle shocked him. The player struggled for spots at both center and right guard and now needs attention in his right foot. 

But it’s too early for Deion to let out a sigh of relief. Tech has three NFL tight ends to balance things out. On the other hand, the Buffaloes are heading into this season carrying with them the still-fresh wounds of their catastrophic 4-8 narrative and their QB Shedeur Sanders being the most sacked player in college football history. 

Besides, even though Deion has taken reasonable care in bolstering the O- and the D-lines, their QB does not seem to have the best rushing game. However, no matter how brutal the rivalry is, Tech HC McGuire seems happy about Colorado’s return. At the Big 12 Media Days, he confessed, “I’m a Texan and grew up in the old Southwest Conference and the old Big 12, so it’s great to see Colorado back in the right conference.” Time to wait and see who shares the last laugh.