"Anytime Coach Prime plays is Prime Time": Fans react to 11,100,000 viewers watching Colorado's Week 3 game as one of the best matchups of 2023
Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders-led Colorado Buffaloes staged an epic comeback in the thrilling Rocky Mountain Showdown, securing a nail-biting 43-35 victory against Jay Norvell's Colorado State Rams. The double overtime spectacle on Saturday achieved a record-breaking viewership of 9.3 million on ESPN.
The late-night matchup now ranks as the fifth most-watched college football game in the network's history. It shattered the previous late prime window viewership record and became ESPN College Football's most streamed regular season game, with a staggering peak of 11,100,000 viewers between 11 and 11:15 p.m.
The excitement was palpable as fans celebrated this epic Week 3 clash, recognizing it as one of the standout matchups of 2023.
"Anytime Coach Prime plays is Prime Time," one fan wrote.
Another user commented:
"This game was wild in every way."
"It is incredible considering how late it was. Sko," added another fan.
"Imagine if you had put it on in a reasonable time slot," hinted a fan who felt the game could have had more views if its time slot was earlier.
"Those are crazy numbers for a late-night ESPN game," @EricJHovland wrote.
"The next two games may bring things back to earth for Colorado, but these numbers are absolutely crazy," a CFB fan said.
"9.3 million for a 10:30 pm ET kickoff?!?! That’s absolutely absurd. People can attempt to 'yeah, but' this as much as they want. These numbers are absolutely wild," added @Coach_H_009, a former D2 college football player.
Although the Buffs are headed to the Big 12 in 2024, one user wanted Colorado to move to the Big Ten or SEC:
"25M viewers through 3 games is unprecedented. In the age of realignment? Colorado to the SEC or Big Ten asap."
What's next for Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders and the Colorado Buffs?
Coach Prime's search for college football glory will face challenges ahead, especially after losing two-way star Travis Hunter for three weeks due to a forceful collision with Henry Blackburn, a CSU safety.
Following a narrow win over Colorado State, the Buffaloes take on Oregon in Week 4 before playing USC.
Despite a rocky start in Boulder, where they struggled against the underdogs, the Buffs managed to win and remain undefeated at 3-0.
Oregon's Bo Nix and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders have emerged as elite quarterbacks. Sanders boasts an impressive 1,251 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and only one interception.
Bo Nix, on the other hand, has contributed 893 passing yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions. Notably, The Oregon offense has been exceptional while protecting Nix, enduring just one sack this season.
The captivating Coach Prime Mania and the thrilling sports spectacle show no signs of fading, promising more excitement in the coming weeks.
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