The Prime Effect to lost playbook: Why we're witnessing the beginning of the end for Deion Sanders at Colorado (Part 4)

Editor's note: This is part four of a six-part series entitled "Why we're witnessing the beginning of the end for Deion Sanders at Colorado. Here are preceding parts one, two and three.

The program is in a place that can no longer be carried by the “Prime Effect”. There are players that might find great value in playing under Sanders. Those numbers just aren’t as significant as they once were. Hype and misdirection don’t win games in year four. It's not bringing the same number of in-state or out-of-state fans to games. ESPN and Fox are not banging on the door anymore. The Colorado Buffaloes are viewed as a struggling team with an underwhelming win total projection.

The Coach Prime rhetoric no longer lands as it once did. The days of “you better get me know, because this is the worst we’re ever going to be” are long gone. Undressing a reporter by yelling, “Do you believe now?” falls on deaf ears. Belief and confidence are great, but they don’t win games by themselves. With the frequency of vacations, time away from Boulder and reported attempts to avoid being served a subpoena, Coach Prime seems to have become ‘hard to find’.

Sanders has never faced a ‘scandal’ of any kind during his time in Boulder, but there have been questionable circumstances that demand a deeper look. Before the Texas Tech game, there was a widely reported story regarding a found playbook in a hotel bar. The head coach has not had an opportunity to address that story yet. If previous examples are any indication, fans should not expect a satisfactory answer to those questions.

There are still previous issues that remain unanswered. Including an off-the-field issue and evidence of hacking practice footage. In both instances, questions about those issues were dismissed or treated as if the people asking the questions were willfully ignorant or misinformed.

In addition, there are times when Sanders seems to proceed as if we do not live in a technological age. Speaking like every single fan does not have the ability to find quotes, view press conferences or see footage that contradicts a previous claim. Something the internet has dubbed “jerseygate” is a recent example.

When asked about multiple players wearing the same numbers, the question was dismissed. Even treated like the question was stupid. Later, he would be asked about the jerseys again and claimed while laughing that they carry additional jerseys for such an issue. Only to find a week later, two number 6s in the game at the same time.

A very common saying in our culture is, “don’t shoot the messenger.” What happens when the head of the program is the messenger?

Check out the rest of the series with part five.

Shilo Sanders bankruptcy trial: Day 1 from inside the courtroom

Colorado football reportedly spending $20 million for 2026 roster

Tempers flare in Shilo Sanders bankruptcy trial: Day 2 

John Darjean takes the stand in Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy trial: Day 3