Deion Sanders made it clear after Colorado’s 29 to 7 home loss to No. 12 Texas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 3, that the Buffaloes’ biggest problem is quarterback, even though he refused to say the word himself. Utah transfer Isaac Wilson, making his first start in Boulder, threw three interceptions as the Red Raiders scored 29 straight points. Colorado fell to 2 and 3 and will hold an open quarterback competition during its bye week before hosting No. 13 Utah on Oct. 17.
Then there’s the playbook. Texas Tech fans reportedly found a Colorado playbook at the team hotel before kickoff. That sounds like the perfect excuse. The film tells a different story.
What did Deion Sanders say after the Texas Tech loss?
Sanders told reporters to stop the nonsense and said Colorado had one glaring problem that everyone in the room already knew about. He said one position simply had to play better. He wouldn’t name it, saying the media would run with it, and told reporters he’d respect them more if they said it themselves. He called his offense horrible and said there was no sugarcoating it.
He also kept the door open, saying the job is an open competition every day with three options in the room.
What went wrong for Colorado’s quarterbacks?
Wilson led a 75-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession, finishing it with an 8-yard pass to Joseph Williams. After that, every Colorado drive ended in a punt, a missed field goal or a turnover.
The worst moment came with Tech leading 15 to 7 and just over seven minutes left. Backed up at his own 2-yard line, Wilson threw the ball straight to linebacker John Curry for a touchdown, and fans started heading for the exits. Wilson finished 26 of 44 for 290 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Afterward, he took the blame and admitted he tried to do too much. Colorado actually outgained Tech, but 19 of the Red Raiders’ points came off four Colorado interceptions.
Julian Lewis, the prized recruit Sanders flipped from USC, started the first four games before being benched at halftime at Baylor. He didn’t play Saturday. When asked about Lewis, Sanders denied that the 19-year-old had dropped from first to third string and said he’d rather Lewis explain it himself. One of Lewis’ aunts criticized Sanders publicly on X after the quarterback switch.
Did a leaked playbook cost Deion Sanders the game?
Sports Illustrated’s FanNation reported that Texas Tech fans found a Colorado playbook at the Buffaloes’ hotel and that game film showed the scripted plays matched what Colorado ran.
Here is what most people missed. Scripted plays are usually the opening series, and that was the only drive Colorado scored on all night. The Buffs did their damage with the script. The collapse came later, in the second half, when the interceptions started piling up.
Why does Deion Sanders keep struggling at quarterback?
When Shedeur Sanders started in 2024, Colorado went 9 and 4. Since he left for the NFL, Sanders has started four different quarterbacks. Kaidon Salter, Ryan Staub, Lewis and now Wilson have all had a turn. Colorado went 3 and 9 last season, and Sanders admitted before this season that he made a mistake at the position.
Outside the pandemic-shortened season at Jackson State, Sanders had never coached a team without Shedeur as his starter. The Coach Prime era was built in Jackson, Mississippi, on that father and son connection. Without it, Colorado has been outscored 93 to 27 during its three-game losing streak. Sanders also dismissed three defensive backs after the loss at Northwestern.
What comes next for Deion Sanders and Colorado?
Sanders has used past bye weeks to rest his team, even heading home to his Texas ranch. This time, he said the team is going back to work. The defense is holding up its end, led by Tulane transfer Santana Hopper, who had 10 tackles, including five for loss.
Freshman Kaneal Sweetwyne got the final snap Saturday, making him the third option Sanders mentioned. Prime knows the answer to his own riddle. The question is whether he finds a quarterback he trusts before Utah comes to Boulder.
