Paul Finebaum: Colorado will fade, but Deion Sanders isn't going anywhere

Colorado is bound to fade this season, but Deion Sanders won’t go anywhere in 2023, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum says.

The spotlight over the first four games was extremely bright, but Colorado was dominated by Oregon, so maybe a little bit of a stain? Regardless of the national perception after the team’s first loss, Sanders won’t go anywhere.

Finebaum made the argument Sanders is in it for the long haul. 

“Prime brings out a lot, but that’s, I think, that’s what makes him great,” Finebaum said on the Matt Barrie Show. “I mean, I really liked what he said after the game. He said, ‘take your shots now.’ I mean, he’s confident … He’s not playing stupid, Junior High games like a certain Ole Miss coach. I mean, he spits it out. He lets you know who he is at all times. And I respect that and quite frankly, he handled the losses as well as he handled a win. 

“While Colorado will fade, Deion’s not going anywhere. And I think it’s most interesting how he handles the portal and recruiting because he is going to still affect a lot of important programs by the players that he is able to attract.”

Despite a blowout loss, Sanders made headlines postgame by giving props to Oregon head coach Dan Lanning. Lanning made waves pregame with his “clicks not wins” comment regarding Colorado’s goals.

“I don’t say stuff just to say it for clicks,” Sanders said. “On contrary to what somebody said. I keep receipts. But I’m serious. I analyze and I understand what we’re up against and what we need. One thing I can say, honestly and candidly — he better get me right now. This is the worst we’re going to be. You better get me right now.”

Not only that, Sanders acknowledged his team didn’t play well. It only gets tougher with USC coming to town this coming weekend.

“I’m not gonna say that. You don’t always have to get your butt kicked to learn. People win and learn. I mean, that’s not something to learn, it’s something to glean from,” Sanders began. “It’s not just the kids, the coaches are accountable, too. We are all accountable. Let’s start with me. We’re accountable for this. It’s not just the kids.”

Was he surprised at how his team played? Yes. “The way we played?” Sanders asked. “That really surprised me. We played like hot garbage.”