AP Top 25 Takeaways: Believe the hype! Coach Prime delivers thrilling upset in debut for Colorado

45

Coach Prime’s Thrilling Debut: Colorado Stuns TCU

The anticipation was real. Deion Sanders’ inaugural appearance as the coach of Colorado had been generating considerable buzz. Yet, doubts persisted about the Buffaloes’ potential, given their unprecedented overhaul of the roster in Boulder.

“We warned you of our arrival. You believed it was a jest. We’ve kept the evidence,” Sanders asserted after Colorado pulled off a stunning upset against the 17th-ranked TCU on Saturday, surpassing even the loftiest of predictions.

A squad boasting nearly 90 fresh faces managed to overcome the team that vied for the national championship in the previous season.

Where should we commence?

Sanders’ son, Shedeur, set a new school record by amassing 510 yards through the air in his inaugural major college football match following his transfer, alongside his father, from Jackson State.

Receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter engaged in an impressive 129 plays, securing 11 catches for 119 yards. However, his standout moment arrived with a crucial interception against TCU in the red zone.

Hunter, who wore a T-shirt featuring an image of his Hall of Fame coach, expressed his readiness to continue, stating, “No, I’m not fatigued; I’m prepared for more,” during the postgame session.

Freshman Dylan Edwards, recruited away from Notre Dame by Coach Prime, made his mark with 159 yards from scrimmage across 11 touches, contributing four touchdowns, including the game-winning score in the late stages of the fourth quarter.

Colorado put an end to a 27-game winning streak of ranked opponents on the road.

As the match concluded, Sanders directed his words towards the skeptics.

He confronted a reporter, questioning, “Do you now believe? I perused that nonsensical critique you composed. Do you now believe?”

Though it was just one game, it’s challenging not to envision Colorado becoming a dynamic and pertinent force. Sanders effectively rebuilt a roster from scratch and readied it for the rigors of Power Five football.

Offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, who relinquished his head coaching position at Kent State to join Sanders’ staff, appears to have been a particularly astute addition.

The forthcoming week will see Colorado engaging in their inaugural home game against Nebraska, a team boasting an equally high-profile new coach, albeit with a contrasting debut.

The Cornhuskers suffered a defeat under Matt Rhule’s leadership against Minnesota, sealed with a last-minute field goal on Thursday.

Expect Folsom Field to brim with excitement as the old Big Eight rivalry reignites.

So, what does the future hold for the Buffs?

The defense displayed shortcomings against TCU, and the offense would likely benefit from a more effective rushing game to alleviate pressure on Shedeur Sanders. Yet, these issues align Colorado with numerous teams in the Pac-12 this season.

The notion of Hunter sustaining 120 plays per game seems impractical.

Coupled with No. 14 Utah and No. 18 Oregon State, the Pac-12 conference has gained an extra layer of excitement.

For those already finding Coach Prime somewhat tiresome, be prepared: September will feature a substantial dose of CU action.

Fox is according next week’s home opener the Big Noon treatment once again, with a 10 a.m. local kickoff.

Following the clash against rival Colorado State in the subsequent week, the Buffaloes conclude September with consecutive matches against Oregon and USC.

Undoubtedly, Coach Prime has seized our attention.

PAC-12’S FAREWELL SONG

The demise of the Pac-12 has dominated offseason discussions.

Merely two schools remain committed to the conference beyond this academic year: Oregon State and Washington State.

The rest are dispersing among other Power Five conferences, including Colorado, as one of four Pac-12 representatives making their way to the Big 12 next year.

Ineffectual leadership and flawed decision-making have left the Conference of Champions teetering on the brink. Even if some semblance of the conference survives, it will never be the same.

This is a lamentable reality, further compounded by the conference’s unrealized potential for excellence and entertainment.

The opening weekend provided a glimpse into this potential.

Utah’s assertive victory over Florida from the SEC on Thursday night set the tone.

On Friday, Stanford secured a win against Hawaii under the guidance of coach Troy Taylor.

Saturday brought about CU’s upset against TCU from the Big 12, along with Washington’s commanding performance against Boise State, hailed as the Mountain West standout. California’s resounding triumph over North Texas, a newcomer to the American Athletic Conference, also made an impression. Meanwhile, Oregon posted a staggering 80-point tally against an FCS opponent.

FRESH FACES AT QB

The quarterback competition at No. 3 Ohio State might not be definitively settled.

Kyle McCord and the Buckeyes’ offense showcased efficiency but failed to inspire in their workmanlike victory against Indiana, which also marked the Big Ten’s debut on CBS.

McCord tallied 20 completions on 32 attempts, accumulating 239 yards and an interception. Backup Devin Brown, whom Ohio State coach Ryan Day asserted was closely matched with McCord during the offseason, only received limited playtime.

Brown managed a 1-for-3 completion rate and a single rush that yielded a net loss of 5 yards.

The Buckeyes will have home matchups against Youngstown State and Western Kentucky to fine-tune their approach before facing No. 13 Notre Dame on September 23.

NATIONWIDE INSIGHTS: Fresno State and Northern Illinois orchestrated impressive upsets against Power Five opponents, bolstered by substantial financial rewards. Fresno State triumphed over Purdue in coach Ryan Walters’ debut, pocketing a hefty $1.35 million. Northern Illinois bested Boston College in overtime, securing $1.1 million in compensation. … Brian Ferentz, offensive coordinator for the 25th-ranked Hawkeyes, needs his team to maintain an average of 25 points per game this season to safeguard his position. Currently, he’s slightly behind this target. Iowa started strong with a 14-0 lead in the first quarter against Utah State, but then settled into a more characteristic Hawkeye performance. … No. 19 Wisconsin embraced a new Air-Raid-esque offensive approach, amassing 312 rushing yards and four touchdowns in their victory against Buffalo.

---

Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com

---

For more on AP college football: https://bigbignews.net/college-football and https://bigbignews.net/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about upset victory

More about upset victory

• Colorado Upsets TCU: Coach Prime’s Debut
• Deion Sanders’ Son Shines in Colorado Debut
• Travis Hunter’s Versatile Performance
• Freshman Dylan Edwards’ Impactful Performance
• Colorado Snaps Winning Streak Against Ranked Teams
• Deion Sanders Addresses Doubters
• Colorado’s Upcoming Schedule and Nebraska Matchup
• Pac-12 Conference Opening Weekend Highlights
• Challenges and Potential Improvements for Colorado
• Coach Prime’s Coaching Staff Contribution