Ohio State had no reason to worry about Colorado in 2023. They aren’t in the same conference and haven’t faced each other since 2011. Plus, the Buckeyes didn’t play any teams that had faced the Buffaloes. Still, there was some interest in Colorado up in Columbus.

“Everyone was excited to see the Buffs in action,” said Sam Hart, a first-year tight end at CU who previously played at Ohio State. “People had their calendars marked with game times and opponents.”

In 2023, the Buffaloes were among the most-watched college football teams, averaging 6.03 million viewers per game across nine games (excluding Pac-12 Network numbers). Only teams ranked in the top 10 of the national polls had higher viewership.

The Buffaloes’ rise in popularity was fueled by the arrival of head coach Deion Sanders, a Hall of Famer and former successful coach at Jackson State, who came to Boulder in December 2022.

Last year, Sanders brought a new level of excitement and celebrity attention to the Buffs, a first for Boulder. This spotlight has brought both praise and criticism, as no coach or team has faced such intense scrutiny since Coach Prime’s arrival.

Fans are eager to see what Coach Prime will do in his second season, and the media will continue to highlight the Buffs and Coach Prime, whether positively or negatively.

But beyond the flash and headlines, the true measure of the CU program will be its ability to turn this attention into actual wins on the field.

“It’s going to be a phenomenal year,” Coach Prime declared at CU’s media day on August 9, ending the press conference with a bold statement. “I’m sharing what I know, not just rumors.”

It’s no shock that the most confident figure in sports is brimming with optimism. And there are plenty of reasons for his excitement about the season ahead.

For one, CU boasts one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, Shedeur Sanders. Last year, he set a school record with 3,230 passing yards, came close to the record for touchdowns with 27, and was intercepted only three times. This impressive performance came despite being sacked a record 52 times and missing the last six quarters due to injury.

Hart notices a parallel between Shedeur and his former teammate, CJ Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year last season.

“They’re true professionals,” Hart mentioned. “It’s clear from their actions both on and off the field. They’re exceptional quarterbacks—smart, skilled, and hardworking.”

While Shedeur Sanders alone could be worth the ticket, he might not even be the top talent on the team. Travis Hunter is an All-American candidate, excelling as both a cornerback and receiver—a rare dual-threat athlete. Like Shedeur, Hunter is projected as a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Hunter was named the preseason defensive player of the year in the Big 12 by the media, while Shedeur was selected as the first-team All-Big 12 quarterback. Despite having two stars, CU still ranked 11th in the media poll, indicating doubt about the rest of the team.

However, inside the Champions Center, there’s strong confidence in what the Buffs have developed this offseason. Coach Prime expressed his goal of having four Buffs selected in the first round next spring, emphasizing that the team is filled with NFL-level talent, but their overall success is crucial.”

“If you look at the top teams in college football, including Florida State, you’ll see they had the most players drafted. Winning is what gets players noticed and into the draft. So, if you want more of your players drafted, just win.

The Buffaloes believe they can do that, thanks not only to Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter but also to a deep roster of talent. They’ve improved their offensive line, defense, and special teams, and they feel confident in their ability to succeed.

Coach Prime and his sons are used to winning, and they’re determined to carry that forward this season. As Shedeur said, ‘We’re not working hard every day to lose. Last year didn’t go our way, but now everyone’s focused on winning. We’ve all improved, and we’ve got better players. It’s got to add up.’”