With an overwhelming week 9 in the books, the Big 12 is shaping up to be the most intriguing conference to watch out for. While a lot of things went wrong for the programs shuffling their ranking big time, Colorado Buffaloes thankfully got a quick fix when they needed it the most. While the Buffs already bounced back their Kansas State slip, racking up a shout-out win against the Wildcats, another double-digit dominance on the card ensured their bowl eligibility for the first time in four years. Moreover, with the beating heart of the team, Travis Hunter, back on his usual Heisman energy after the injury horror, the Buffs look like a legitimate Big 12 contender. When it might sound too early to predict the title, ESPN’s Stanford Steve has some food for thought.

Now, with the bowl goal clinched, the next on the watch is a Big 12 title for the Buffs. Stanford Steve sees no audacity in it. In a bullish discussion, the ESPN mogul noted, ‘‘I made two wagers this week okay, and they both involved Colorado, Colorado to win the Big 12 and Shedeur Sanders to win the Heisman Trophy, and the reason I did that is because they’re going to be favored in every single game the rest of the way okay.”

Even just a few weeks back, when Deion Sanders’ boys failed to keep up a late lead against K-State, leading to a humiliating beatdown, the coach started to take nasty bumps from all across the nation. The controversy about Shilo Sanders’ poor pull-off and Shedeur Sanders not delivering up to his best escalated the hatred on which Travis Hunter’s sluggish Heisman hope and the injury missout rubbed the salt. Just two comeback wins and the entire game changed.

It seemed that the CFB community, all of a sudden, recalled who the Buffs were. You may level it as a hypocrite’s hype, but it will only do good. ‘‘We know how that hype train works with Boulder. They are so much better than they were last year,” said Steve.

The history, however, haunts the program. The Colorado Buffaloes took the college football world by storm last season by kicking off with a 3-0 record. They even proved their mettle, knocking out a ranked TCU Horned Frogs team that had their power tasted in the national championship. The feat was huge but sadly short-lived. The momentum quickly fizzled out and left them at the end of the race after eight consecutive losses with a 1-8 conference record. However, Deion Sanders believes the team, in 2024, is a different bread in “every position.” 

The exponential rise of the Buffs under Coach Prime after a 2023 fall

Every obstacle is an opportunity for growth, especially when a highly optimistic and deep visionary like Coach Prime has the steering in his hand, the wheel has to be turned. He had launched a slew of significant changes since the disappointing 4-8 finish. The most phenomenal among all is the prized recruit and blindside protection for quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Jordan Seaton. It brought a revolution to the offensive line. A roll into the Transfers game, taking LaJohntay Wester and Isaiah Augustave in, will also add to Sanders’ high-flying vision in Boulder.

The roster progress, coupled with the psychological resilience, Black Holywood atmosphere, and elevated viewership numbers, showcased what Sanders has done in just a year.

‘‘We’re not just trying to be good, we’re trying to be great,” when Sanders’ said it early in the season, naysayers might cast doubt, but their newfound grit spoke volumes.

If the ranked 23 Buffaloes keep on winning and get an endorsement from other teams, an 8-1 conference record is not too low to give them an edge over the title.

What’s your take on Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffs’ projected Big 12 future? Let us know in the comments.