Nick Saban evaluates Deion Sanders as a coach after impressive start at Colorado

Deion Sanders has arguably become the face of college football, outshining even one of his own co-stars: Alabama coach Nick Saban.

The two share the stage for Aflac commercials, allowing them to create a little bit of a bond in the coaching industry. Saban was asked about his relationship with Sanders and whether what Colorado has done on the field this fall is validating everything Sanders has done with the program.

“I haven’t been able to see them a lot,” Saban said on an SEC teleconference call Wednesday. “Saw a little bit of the game last week against Colorado State, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for Deion Sanders. First, he’s a great person and he’s done a great job of marketing the program to create a lot of national interest, but I see their team playing well on the field.”

Sanders has gotten Colorado off to a 3-0 start, a scintillating start at that. The run has included some big wins and an overtime escape.

It has also featured some star players who are coming into their own the way that Sanders once did, eventually reaching the game’s highest stage while still shining. Yet despite the fame and accolades, Sanders’ players haven’t let it go to their head.

“They play with discipline, they do a good job of executing,” Saban said. “They’ve been able to score points. They’re decent on defense. All those things to me are indicators that he’s a really good coach. I’ve always thought that and he’s always been successful whether it was Jackson State, high school or now in Colorado, his teams have always been well-coached.”

“Biggest phenomenon” in over 40 years?

Just how big is the Colorado phenomenon? The program is setting viewership records left and right.

And at least one ESPN analyst believes it’s purely unique in his 40 years watching the sport.

“I’ve covered college football for over 40 years, and this is the biggest phenomenon I have ever seen,” Paul Finebaum said on ESPN’s Get Up. “There’s nothing even close. I mean, we’ve had flashes of great players along the way, but this has completely captured the sport for the first three weeks. It’s capturing it this weekend. Regardless of what happens in Oregon on Saturday afternoon, it’ll be right back in Boulder next week, when Caleb Williams, Lincoln Riley and USC show up.

“That’s five consecutive weeks, owning the sport. Sucking all of the oxygen out. Nick Saban is struggling and playing second fiddle. That’s how big this is.”