Colorado is Not Sustainable

The sustainability of the Colorado Football Program has been widely discussed. With Coach Prime at the helm and a roster full of talented players, the Buffaloes have certainly made a name for themselves in college football. However, as with any team, there are challenges and questions about their long-term success.

College football is steeped in tradition. Teams like Oklahoma, Alabama, and Tennessee have deep roots in their communities and have benefited from the support of their alum networks and the financial stability that comes with it. This "old money" has helped these programs maintain their success over the years.

As Coach Prime heads into his second season and leads the Buffaloes back into the Big XII, there is undoubtedly a lot of pressure on him to build a winning team. Despite winning only four games last year, there's no denying Prime's recruiting ability and coaching skills. He has shown promise in both areas, and with this being only his second season, it's fair to give him some leeway for his performance in year one.

During his tenure at Jackson State, Coach Prime orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the program. However, replicating their 11-win season might be a tall order for the Tigers in the near future. In the previous year, they posted a respectable 7-4 record, securing a third-place finish in their conference. This performance, while commendable, underscores the challenges that lie ahead in their pursuit of another standout season.

According to 24/7 Sports, Colorado ranks #6 on their 2024 Transfer Team Rankings, trailing behind teams like Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oregon, Alabama, and Florida State. While these rankings are impressive, it's important to note that, unlike many teams in the Top 25, Colorado does not have a deep tradition of success as a program.

The Buffaloes had a successful run in the '90s under coaches Bill McCartney and Rick Neuheisel, but since the turn of the century, they have participated in just seven bowl games, winning only one. This was before the introduction of the NIL and the Transfer portal when Bowl Games were highly valued.

Coach Prime is expected to have a better season this year, and he may even give the Big XII a run for their money. However, college football is a sport comprised of deeply rooted programs with over 100 years of winning tradition. It's a challenging landscape for any team to navigate, let alone catch up to the likes of SEC and Big Ten schools.

While the Colorado Buffaloes currently benefit from the leadership of Coach Prime and his team of standout players, the long-term sustainability of their success is a complex puzzle that needs to be solved by the collective efforts of the athletic department, regents, donors, and the university president. This is particularly crucial in anticipation of the inevitable day when Deion decides to retire or seize a more lucrative opportunity elsewhere. It's plausible to predict that Colorado, much like Jackson State, will look back with gratitude on the years of success brought about by Prime's tenure. However, maintaining such high levels of success in his absence could prove to be a formidable challenge. The Buffaloes will find themselves in a better position than before, but the task of sustaining this upward trajectory will require strategic planning and execution.

While the hype around the Colorado Buffaloes is currently high, it's crucial for the team to meet expectations to maintain this momentum. If they fail to do so, the hype could quickly fizzle out. Therefore, while the future of the Colorado Football Program is promising, its sustainability is still a question that only time can answer.