Paul Finebaum on Colorado: 'They're just another school in the middle of nowhere in a third-rate league'

Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich joined ESPN’s Get Up on Wednesday to deliver some spicy takes regarding Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.

While Sanders has been consistently in the news since arriving in Boulder, Finebaum doesn’t believe it’ll be for positive reasons throughout the 2024 campaign, going as far as calling them “nothing” and “another school in the middle of nowhere in a third rate league.”

“I think they’re looking at about a .500 record, which isn’t all that impressive when you consider the amount of energy and hype and overhype, I should say, to this program,” Finebaum said, regarding what Sanders is going to do in his second season in Colorado. “Deion Sanders is a superstar Greeny, we all know that, but Colorado is nothing. They’re just another school in the middle of nowhere in a third-rate league.

“The problem I have with Deion Sanders is his attitude. Last year, he embraced it. He was the king of college football for five weeks. He’s already off to a terrible start. He started a food fight last weekend with the local media, which is a big mistake. He’s very defensive, and I think he’s in for a very difficult second year in Boulder.”

While Dinich didn’t speak with as much vigor, she believes Colorado will have to improve on both sides of the football if they’re to make an impact in 2024, even if they have some talented players leading the way this season.

“Well, I agree with Paul that Deion Sanders is going to make more headlines for what he continues to say this year than how many games he’s going to win. I wouldn’t disagree that they are a nothing burger of a team, because they have Travis Hunter, who might be the best player in the country, in terms of all that he can do on the field. Shedeur Sanders is a good quarterback. They have to protect him,” Dinich answered, regarding what the expectations are for Colorado in 2024.

“But the bottom line is this, they are not going to compete for the Big 12 title, and we’re not even going to whisper about them in terms of the College Football Playoff until they start improving on both sides. Sneaky Hembo stat for you, this is really good, Colorado was out-rushed last year by 1,290 yards, the worst margin in a Power Five by 300 yards. So, they’ve got to get better.”

Alas, a ton of eyes will be on Colorado this season, but time will tell if they’re vindicated in their negativity, or if Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes can shock the world again in 2024.