Colorado Buffs QB Struggle Forces Costly Decision for Deion Sanders
With the team 3-6 and facing a steep financial gap, Colorado must decide whether to pay top dollar for a transfer quarterback or buy out the head coach.
By Alina Marshall ·
Colorado University football is at a financial and tactical crossroads. The Buffs sit at 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the Big 12. They are 11-point underdogs to No. 14 Houston on Friday night. A loss would mark the third losing season in four years under head coach Deion Sanders. The pressure to fix the offense has shifted to the pocket. Sanders has tried five different starting quarterbacks since the 2025 season began. None have produced consistent results.
The statistical decline is stark. Shedeur Sanders, who started 24 games in 2023 and 2024, threw for 7,364 yards and 64 touchdowns. He completed 651 of 907 passes. His passer rating was 160.4. Since August 2025, four different starters have combined for 4,733 yards and 31 touchdowns in 21 games. They threw 22 interceptions. The team’s passer rating has dropped to 130.10. Colorado ranks 11th of 16 Big 12 teams in this metric. They lead the conference in interceptions thrown.
Sanders has attempted every recruiting strategy. He signed Kaidon Salter, a group of 6 star. He retained Ryan Staub, a veteran holdover. He took Julian Lewis, a five-star high school prospect. He added Isaac Wilson, a power four transfer with NFL lineage. None of them have stabilized the position. The coaching staff is also in flux. Colorado has cycled through four offensive coordinators and three defensive coordinators in four years. The team has suffered 23 conference losses during this period.
The financial stakes are high. Sanders is the highest-paid coach in the Big 12. He earns $10 million this season. His contract calls for $11 million in 2027. The athletic department was $27 million in the red when Rick George retired. Fernando Lovo, the current athletic director, faces a choice. He can spend between $9 million and $10 million on a top-tier transfer portal quarterback. Or he can pay a buyout of approximately $28 million to remove Sanders and his staff after this season. A replacement coach would cost another $25 million.
The coaching staff acknowledges the struggle. After a 20-10 loss at Arizona State last Saturday, Sanders addressed reporters. “It doesn’t look good,” Sanders said. “I’m not crazy. I can see clearly. You think I’m happy? I’m not happy with the outcomes. I’m not a loser by any means. And I hate the fact that we’re coming up on the short end of these games.” The team’s visibility has also dropped. Only five of the last 15 games have been broadcast on network television or ESPN.
The departure of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter has changed the team's dynamic. The core group from Jackson State is largely gone. Julian Lewis may enter the transfer portal next. The Buffs need a win against Houston to avoid a guaranteed losing record in the final four games. The decision on the quarterback position will determine the next chapter for Colorado football.
