3 mistakes Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes should avoid in Week 3 game against CSU
Deion Sanders has brought plenty of attention to the Colorado Buffaloes since taking over as head coach ahead of the 2023 season. The Buffaloes have only had one player selected in the top five of the NFL Draft in program history, back in 1995. That will likely change in the 2025 NFL Draft as Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are both candidates to potentially be selected in the top five.
Despite having two of the top players in college football, it has not translated to on-field results for the program. After getting off to a 3-0 start last season, Colorado won just one of their final nine games. Their first loss of the 2024 season came much sooner.
After emerging victorious in Week 1, the Buffaloes suffered a 28-10 blowout loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers last weekend. They will visit the Colorado State Rams in Week 3 as they look to get back on track.
Here's a look at three mistakes that Colorado must to avoid if they want to get back in the win column.
3 mistakes Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes should avoid in Week 3 game against CSU
#1: Fail to protect Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders entered the season with the expectation of being among the best quarterbacks in college football.
The Colorado Buffaloes offensive line was one of the program's biggest weaknesses last season and has not looked much better through two games. Sanders was under constant pressure in Week 2 and failed to get going. If the offensive line holds up as they did in Week 1, he could be in line for a big game.
#2: Lose the turnover battle
The Colorado Buffaloes have turned the ball over three times in the first two weeks, while their defense has not produced a turnover.
In last week's loss, Shedeur Sanders threw a first quarter pick-six that allowed the Nebraska Cornhuskers to take a 14-0 lead. While the game wasn't out of reach at that point, it sure felt like it. Making unforced errors and losing the turnover battle for a third consecutive game could spell trouble once again.
#3: Fail to get the rushing game going
The Colorado Buffaloes have been terrible running the ball this season. They have averaged just 37.5 rushing yards per game over the first two weeks. That mark is the worst in all of college football.
The Buffaloes are averaging just 1.7 yards per carry. They will need to get the running game going to open things up for the passing game.