Paul Finebaum believes Deion SandersColorado’s time is coming to an inevitable conclusion after another damaging loss that exposed the same issues that will follow the Buffaloes throughout the 2026 season.
Colorado‘s last failure was Saturday night, at #12 Texas Tech exceeded Buffaloes 29-7 at Folsom Field. The result dropped Sanders’ team to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 play as Colorado entered its bye week on a three-game losing streak.
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ heated exchange with a reporter resurfaced after Colorado’s recent loss
for Finebauma special moment summed up the current state of the program.
“The last gasp of a program, when you’ve got a pick-six in his own end zone, it’s all over,” Finebaum He said on “The Matt Barrie Show”.
“And I’m not an ‘I told you so’ person, and I thought I was wrong when I made that harsh statement years ago, and I didn’t like moving to Colorado at all. … It just didn’t feel right, and for a while I was totally wrong because they accepted it.”
It came with an intervention Colorado already trailing in the fourth quarter. Isaac Wilsonmakes his first start for Buffaloesattempted to pass from deep in his own territory Texas Tech defender John Curry cut to touch.
It turned a rough night into a 22-7 deficit, effectively ending Colorado’s hopes of a comeback. Wilsons performance was particularly problematic. He finished with 290 passing yards and one touchdown, but had three interceptions.
Colorado also lost the ball on a trick-play interception, ie Buffaloes made only four turnovers. Texas Tech turned those mistakes into 19 points.
The loss was all the more frustrating because Colorado actually looked capable of competing in the opening half.
The Buffaloes They scored in the first half and took a 7-3 lead into halftime. It was Colorado’s first shutout lead against an FBS opponent in more than a year. But the offense stalled after halftime, and Texas Tech scored 29 unanswered points.
The quarterback problem is impossible for Sanders to ignore
Sanders has now clearly identified his midfield play as his team’s biggest hurdle.
He chose the head coach Wilson it’s over Julian “JuJu” Lewis for Texas Tech game in trying to breathe life into a badly struggling crime. The decision looked promising at first, but Wilson’s three interceptions ultimately became central to the loss.
Colorado’s quarterback situation is unsettled after Shedeur Sanders left after the 2024 season.
The Buffaloes He went through three starting quarterbacks during his 3-9 campaign in 2025 and already has another change this offseason. Sanders blunted after the last loss.
“It’s a position that somewhat cripples and disarms us,” he told reporters. “Someone has to step up and grab it and make it happen.”
The head coach also said these things Buffaloes has “a glaring issue” and challenged the quarterbacks to improve during the week. Finebaum, however, believes the problem goes beyond one position.
“But this is not an easy place to manage” Finebaum he continued. “It’s either going to end beautifully or spectacularly for Deion. I hate it. I know you do. Everyone does because… I’ve come to really respect and admire him.”
The Buffaloes went 3-9 last season, and this year’s three-game skid quickly erased much of the optimism generated by a 2-0 start. Criticism intensified beyond the quarterback position.
Colorado was recorded eight times for 84 yards against Texas Techmissed two field goals and failed on a fake play. Finebaum however, he clarified that his comments were not disrespectful to Sanders.
“He’s just the most charismatic figure we’ve seen in this game in a long time. But you can’t go on.” Finebaum concluded. “Despite a good start to the season for him, nothing has gone right and you can’t get him back.”
Sanders Colorado now has a bye week to find answers before facing Utah on Oct. 17.
This break can be especially important because Buffaloes They need to address their guard situation and find a way to create a consistent offense before the season gets any further away. Finebaum has already come to his own conclusion.
Whether ColoradoThe next few games prove him right, but the pressure on Sanders is certainly mounting.
A once-transformative coach Buffaloes who has become one of college football’s biggest stories must now find a way to end a three-game losing streak and restore an identity that is becoming increasingly difficult to see on the field.