In Deion Sanders’ second year as head football coach at Colorado, some aspects remained unchanged. The team’s running game continued to rank last nationally in yards per game, just as it did in the previous year. The offensive line struggled with blocking, and penalties remained a persistent issue, with the Buffaloes ranking eighth nationally in penalties committed.
Despite these challenges, Colorado made significant progress by finishing with a 9-4 record in 2024. This marked a substantial improvement from their 4-8 season in 2023 and a 1-11 finish before Sanders was hired in December 2022. Sanders deserves recognition for this achievement, as well as accountability for areas that fell short.
Here are the key successes and shortcomings of Sanders’ second year at Colorado:
Big Success No. 1: Rebounding after Nebraska
After a discouraging loss to Nebraska early in the season, Sanders refocused the team on resilience. They responded by winning three consecutive games and ultimately finishing in a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12 Conference, a stark contrast to the previous season’s struggles.
Big Miss No. 1: The Letdowns
Colorado faced inconsistency, displaying flashes of strength alongside periods of underperformance. This was evident in games where they fell behind early, highlighting the need for improved consistency and focus moving forward.
Big Success No. 2: Letting Travis Hunter Shine
Sanders allowed star player Travis Hunter to showcase his talent on both sides of the ball, leading to Hunter winning Colorado’s second Heisman Trophy. Sanders’ willingness to support unconventional strategies and empower his players contributed to this success.
Big Miss No. 2: The Running Game
Despite the presence of standout quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado’s running game continued to struggle. Improving the rushing offense will be crucial to easing the pressure on future quarterbacks and addressing a persistent problem for the team.
Big Success No. 3: Hiring Robert Livingston
Sanders demonstrated strong leadership by hiring top assistant coach Robert Livingston, showcasing his ability to delegate effectively and build a strong coaching staff.
Overall, Sanders’ second year at Colorado was marked by both successes and challenges, highlighting areas for growth and improvement as the team looks ahead to the next season.
After losing their defensive coordinator to Auburn last year, Sanders turned to Robert Livingston, the defensive backs coach of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals. Despite lacking experience in running a defense, Livingston took on the challenge. Although not a widely recognized name in coaching circles, Livingston worked with a mix of transfers and returning players who excelled under his guidance. Together, they played a crucial role in leading the Big 12 Conference in quarterback sacks with 39 and fumbles recovered with 12.
One significant area of concern for Sanders was the offensive line. Following a troubling season where the team allowed the second-highest number of quarterback sacks in the nation in 2023, Sanders made the restructuring of the offensive line a top priority. Bringing in a total of nine transfers and securing the commitment of highly touted offensive tackle recruit Jordan Seaton, Sanders aimed to bolster the line. Seaton, a standout freshman who started every game at left tackle, showed promise for the future development of the team.
Despite these efforts, the Buffs struggled to protect their quarterbacks, giving up the most sacks in the Big 12 with 43. The influx of transfers intended to fortify the offensive line faced setbacks due to injuries and inconsistent performance, leading to frequent reshuffling throughout the season. The challenges raised questions about Sanders’ ability to address the ongoing issues through further recruitment and lineup adjustments in the upcoming season.
As Sanders continues to navigate the complexities of coaching at the collegiate level, he remains determined to find solutions to enhance the team’s performance. With the new season approaching, the Buffs are set to embark on their third year under Sanders, kicking off on August 30 at home against Georgia Tech. As the team prepares for the upcoming campaign, Sanders will be closely watched to see how he addresses the persistent challenges faced by the program.
