‘I Don’t Get Why Deion (Sanders) Is So Conservative,’ ‘Unbelievable’ — CFB World Has Had It With Colorado’s Missteps in Blowout Loss to Texas Tech

All eyes were on the Colorado Buffaloes this week, especially in a matchup with the Texas Tech Raiders, where Colorado made a change under center. Out went Julian Lewis, and in came Isaac Wilson.

But if head coach Deion Sanders thought his team would get over the line with that jolt of a change at quarterback, Coach Prime was left thoroughly disappointed as familiar problems came back to haunt the Buffaloes in what turned out to be a true-blue beatdown against No. 12 Texas Tech.

Naturally, questions were raised about Sanders’ coaching and whether this year in Boulder might be it for the NFL legend.

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The criticism was swift after a 29-7 loss to the Red Raiders at Folsom Field, a defeat that dropped Colorado to 2-3 while Texas Tech improved to 5-0.

Early in the game, there was a sliver of hope that Colorado could mount an upset against No. 12 Texas Tech. That hope, however, lasted barely a breath.

“I don’t get why Deion is so conservative as a coach. You’d absolutely think it would be the opposite,” former NFLer Geoff Schwartz remarked on X, questioning the logic behind the Buffaloes’ timid approach on the night.

Denver analyst Jake Shapiro minced no words in raising some familiar red flags around the Buffaloes, writing, “Deion Sanders and special teams, man. It’s truly unbelievable this is the same issue every week!”

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Shapiro then ran through the laundry list of missteps Colorado made tonight. “Delay of game and a targeting on a punt. Just incredible special teams play, as always,” he joked.

“[They] can’t figure out how many should be on the field, can’t make a short kick, and fail a fake punt. Legit would have one of the best teams in the country on the ropes with competent special teams.”

Nebraska podcaster Nate Rohr was equally amused by this loss, remarking, “I was told a couple years (ago) Deion Sanders was the best coach in the nation.”

When broadcasters noted that Sanders didn’t see the fake punt coming, Jason Whitlock, an outspoken critic of the Colorado head coach, wrote, “That’s a lie. Deion knew that was coming. The fake punt. Stop it. These broadcasters. It was a bad decision. Just say it.”

While the Buffaloes outgained Texas Tech 372-315 in total offense, giving them a platform to go chasing a win, Colorado managed just seven points and was shut out over the final three quarters.

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Turnovers were the Buffaloes’ Achilles’ heel tonight at Folsom Field. Colorado gave the ball away four times, while Texas Tech finished with zero turnovers. That difference is difficult to overcome against any opponent, let alone a ranked Big 12 team.

Entering this week, Colorado had a PFN Team Offense Impact Rating of 69.0 (#98 in the nation) and a Defense Impact Rating of 79.3 (#52 in the nation).

QB Isaac Wilson did produce some yardage through the air, finishing with 290 passing yards, but his night was defined just as much by the glaring, painful mistakes that pulled the rug out from under the offense.

He threw three picks, including a fourth-quarter pick-six that effectively slammed the door on any chance of a Colorado comeback.

That interception was especially painful because Colorado was still within striking distance. Texas Tech led 15-7 before Jacob Curry intercepted Wilson in the end zone and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Red Raiders a 22-7 lead.

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From there, Texas Tech smelled blood. Quinten Joyner added a 30-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes remaining, completing a fourth quarter in which the Red Raiders scored 17 unanswered points and turned a competitive game into a 22-point victory.

There were precious few positives to take from this blowout loss for Coach Prime and his staff. The Buffaloes’ ill-timed mistakes proved costly, and Texas Tech did not waste any opportunity to punish the sloppy Buffaloes.

For Sanders and Colorado, the frustrating part will be knowing this game was much closer than 29-7… right up until it wasn’t.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.