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The Colorado Buffaloes capped a transformative season under head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders by securing their first bowl eligibility since 2016. With a 9-3 record overall and a 7-2 finish in the Big 12, the Buffs flirted with a Big 12 Championship Game appearance but ultimately fell short due to tiebreakers, losing out to Arizona State andIowa State. Both teams will compete for the conference title in Arlington, Texas, this Saturday.
Just hours after the Big 12 title game matchups were finalized, Sanders reignited buzz surrounding his program by making bold remarks about his plans for the transfer portal. His declaration, "I told you I'm hitting that portal like never before. And I already hit it," was coupled with a tweet featuring his signature phrase, "I Ain't Hard 2 Find." While the comment was intended to underscore his aggressive recruiting approach, it sparked polarized reactions from fans and critics alike.
Sanders' remarks drew sharp criticism online, with detractors questioning both the sustainability of his approach and the Buffs' actual performance against top-tier competition. "Hard to find a win against a ranked opponent," one fan commented, referencing Colorado's 1-6 record against AP Top 25 teams this season. Another labeled the Buffs as a "trash a** program," while some dismissed Sanders' statement as "fake" and overly reliant on social media theatrics.
Despite the backlash, Sanders' statement underscores his commitment to elevating Colorado's program. After losing key players, including his sons Shedeur and Shilo Sanders and star cornerback Travis Hunter, to the NFL, Sanders has made it clear he intends to use the transfer portal to reload his roster. "We will have touchbacks next year, I promise you that. I told you, I am hitting that portal like never before," Sanders reiterated in a post-season press conference.
Coach Prime dismisses NFL speculation, eyes long-term success at Colorado
The remarks also dispel speculation about Sanders potentially leaving Boulder for the NFL, fueled by rumors of his possible interest in coaching his former team, the Dallas Cowboys. Sanders has consistently expressed his love for Colorado and his desire to stay, even with the departure of key players. His comments Sunday reaffirmed his intent to focus on long-term success in Boulder, signaling that he remains invested in the program's growth.
While fans debate the effectiveness of Sanders' portal-heavy recruiting strategy, there's no denying the results in his first full season at Colorado. The Buffs went from a 1-11 record in 2022 to a 9-3 finish this year, revitalizing a program that had been largely irrelevant on the national stage. However, critics point to the team's struggles against elite opponents as a sign that sustained success will require more than splashy transfers and viral soundbites.
Looking ahead, Colorado has reason for optimism. The Buffs are reportedly pursuing No. 2 overall recruit Julian Lewis, a potential replacement for Shedeur Sanders in 2025. With a deep pool of talent available in the portal and Sanders' recruiting prowess, Colorado appears poised to remain competitive in a reshaped Big 12 landscape.
As the Buffs gear up for their bowl game, Sanders' remarks continue to stir debate, but one thing is clear: Coach Prime isn't going anywhere-and he's far from finished reshaping the college football narrative.