Coach Prime is ruffling feathers anew
Outside of the College Football Playoff, the Alamo Bowl showdown between Big 12 Conference rivals Colorado and BYU stands as one of the most highly-anticipated bowl games of 2024. The 23rd-ranked Buffaloes narrowly missed out on competing for their conference championship and have had to “settle” for the upcoming matchup in San Antonio with the 17th-ranked Cougars — who also came a matter of yards from competing for the Big 12 title and making a play to reach the 12-team Playoff.
Instead, the Arizona State Sun Devils — projected to finish last in the conference before the season began — won the Big 12 to cap their first year in it, The Sun Devils will take on the Texas Longhorns in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day, leaving Coach Prime with no option but to prepare his team in the best way possible for Saturday.
Deion is done giving out second chances
Prime knows that Colorado — with stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter playing their final NCAA games — cannot simply show up in San Antonio and expect to win. To that end, the former NFL star cornerback is laying down some ground rules as the Buffs rock up to the Alamodome.
The #CUBuffs
, including Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, have arrived for Team Day at @SeaWorldTexas. pic.twitter.com/1v0V5MJpks— Adam Munsterteiger (@adamcm777) December 25, 2024
In a pregame meeting before he landed with his players in Texas, Deion told his players in no uncertain terms that the offseason has not arrived yet and they need to continue to act responsibly. In fact, Coach Prime has gone so far as to ban his players from smoking in their hotel before the game.
MORE in MARCA
Angel Reese and Sexyy Red captivate fans with a ‘forbidden’ dance move that’s got everyone talking | MarcaMarca
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have completely opposite reactions to this unexpected surprise after the game | MarcaMarca
“You embarrass us and this university, you will not get a second chance to do it,” Sanders said. “If I smell smoke on any floor, or somebody tells me you’re smoking on that floor, that will be your last puff.”
Discipline has not always been Colorado’s strong suit in 2024, yet the Buffs have found ways around it thanks to their star power. Shedeur and Travis — two probable top-five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft — will want to leave NCAA football on a high, and they may never forgive certain teammates if they break Prime’s rules before a game in which Colorado is favored by a slim 3.5 points.
