Last season, Colorado's coach Deion Sanders experienced a fairytale run, led by Heisman winner Travis Hunter and star quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Together, they orchestrated a historic nine-win campaign that captivated the nation.

However, the recent Big 12 opener against Houston may indicate that those glory days are swiftly fading.

In a disheartening 36-20 loss to Houston, the Buffaloes appeared severely outmatched, and frankly, the final score hardly reflects the extent of the defeat. Houston raced to a 13-0 lead in the first half and stretched it to a 19-point advantage in the fourth quarter, cruising toward an embarrassing finish for a team that once lit up college football.

Houston, who hadn’t hit 400 yards in a game since early September, dominated Colorado, racking up an impressive 430 yards—over 200 of those on the ground. Quarterback Conner Weigman was practically gifted an easy game, scoring twice on the ground in his first start.

It's hard to find a silver lining for the Buffaloes; they were outgained by nearly 150 yards and failed to stop Houston on defense. They couldn't even rely on their offensive plays, with Houston dominating possession for almost 15 more minutes.

The Reality Check

"I'm lost for words," Sanders admitted post-game. "No one could’ve told me that this game would turn out like this with the week of preparation we had." Yet, considering the dramatic roster turnover over the past two years, perhaps this dismal outcome shouldn't come as a surprise.

Colorado has seen an exodus of 74 players to the transfer portal—essentially losing an entire scholarship squad! From the 21 players in Sanders' 2023 recruiting class, only five remain. A couple, like receiver Omarion Miller, have shown potential, but most have migrated to power conference rivals.

Sanders treats recruiting like an NFL team assembling talent overnight, but college football generally requires time to forge a competitive squad.

A Hard Fall from Grace

The coaching changes took a pivotal turn just before the Houston game when Sanders chose former third-stringer Ryan Staub as the starting quarterback over two pricier offseason signings. Staub performed admirably, throwing for 204 yards and rushing for 36, but with seven tackles for loss and three sacks incurred, it’s clear his offensive line faltered.

A sporadic bright spot emerged in the running game, showcasing some explosive plays, but after Houston’s overwhelming triumph, the once-promising Buffaloes find themselves reeling.

What Lies Ahead?

Even more concerning? Houston might have been one of Colorado's more manageable games. The Cougars, previously pegged as a bottom-five team in the league, completely dismantled the Buffaloes.

While losing to a resurgent Houston could be excused, it perpetuates a disturbing trend. A lackluster offense forced Colorado to rely on strong second-half performances to overcome a struggling Delaware team. Despite initial turnovers against Georgia Tech, Colorado was outgained significantly and utterly failed to stop the run.

A Rough Road Ahead

Following their match against Wyoming, the Buffaloes will face a daunting lineup of opponents, with four consecutive teams ranked in the top-30. Outside of their game against Wyoming, Colorado might be the underdog in every remaining matchup, requiring a stroke of luck just to replicate their previous season’s 4-8 record.

Life without Shedeur and Travis was always expected to be an uphill battle. The two were among the most dynamic pairings in recent college football history, both now making waves in the NFL. While offensive tackle Jordan Seaton and freshman quarterback Julian Lewis have potential, it's clear Colorado lacks proven college-level talent.

The Future in Doubt?

If this trend continues, Colorado could face a grim 2-6 record as November approaches, leaving fans to ponder: Will celebrity supporters still line the sidelines of a struggling Big 12 team? Are recruits still interested in a program without its star players? The early recruiting results show Colorado sitting at a disappointing No. 83.

As Sanders boasts the biggest coaching contract in the Big 12—a staggering $54 million over five years—he has undeniably raised the university's profile. Yet, without the star power of Shedeur and Travis, the Buffaloes’ future appears precarious at best.