The floodgates are open. All that pent-up condemnation that Deion Sanders, and by proxy the Colorado Buffaloes had avoided? It’s manifested itself in full effect! The naysayers were loitering around, almost praying on a slip-up. Now that it has come, the skepticism has been facilitated. In fact, it brings along some facets that are a big part of the CFB discourse. Alongside perhaps some revisionism.

The clock has struck midnight on Coach Prime and his Buffs’ fairytale run. Colorado (8-3) lost their anticipated visit to Arrowhead against the proverbial party-pooper Kansas Jayhawks (5-6). Now, it’s pandemonium. Deion’s catching flak from all directions for falling at the penultimate hurdle. The playoffs were within reach and have now been put on the top shelf in the cabinet- still gettable, but you’ll need a helping hand to boost you up. In the backwash of this development, a familiar Deion Sanders skeptic put Colorado’s achievements in perspective.

Jason Whitlock retooled the undermining of Colorado’s season with some on-theme ammo. In a video on his Youtube channel, Whitlock went after the Buffs’ weak strength of schedule. “The schedule has been favorable. In terms of [Colorado has] avoided the two best teams, really the three best teams in the Big 12. Arizona State, BYU and Iowa State. None of them have been on Colorado’s schedule. So it’s been a favorable schedule”, he stated.

Famous for swimming upstream when it comes to his takes, Whitlock didn’t stop at their schedule. He hinted at Colorado being quite lucky. This is based on their injuries, or lack thereof. He said “I’m not diminishing everything that they did…[however Deion] caught the right schedule, caught the right breaks. Colorado’s been relatively injury free at key positions. Quarterback’s never missed a game…Seaton the left tackle hasn’t missed a game. Offensive line’s been relatively healthy”.

While Jason Whitlock’s statements sound fair, there is some added context that undercut them. Colorado’s traversal through the Big 12 schedule has absolutely avoided the top 3 teams. However, this wasn’t by design. Let us jog our minds back to August, shall we?

Colorado’s strength of scheduled conversation is perhaps a fallacy

Hindsight is 20/20. The phrase rings true in this case. Back in preseason, Deion Sanders was sort of on the opposite side of the criticism spectrum. His team lost 6 on the spin to end the season. His eccentricity on and off the gridiron was considered a hindrance to his program. Something as tangible as his team’s upcoming schedule was never brought up. Perhaps since it wasn’t really a talking point at all.

Colorado was playing their first season in the Big 12 after the conference reshuffling. Their schedule entailed teams that were considered much better than them. Not just them, but the rest of the field as well. Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Utah were consensually considered the top teams in the Big 12 before the season. All 4 teams were on Colorado’s schedule. Turns out, the football is played on the grass and not on paper. None of these teams lived up to the hype.

So Colorado’s schedule did actually appear difficult heading into the season. A weak schedule is not a yardstick that Deion Sanders should perhaps be beaten with. It is a tad bit revisionist to do so. None of the Big 12 teams sitting near the top of the standings were expected to be where they are. This includes Colorado, whose season shall still be perceived as a success when the dust settles. Their season remains alive though, with massively diminished playoff chances.