Paul Finebaum: Colorado 'may be legitimate contender' in Big 12 after win over UCF

If there’s a question if Colorado can actually win the Big 12 in 2024, Paul Finebaum is ready to answer yes.

Following a 48-21 win over UCF on the road Saturday, the Buffaloes improved to 4-1 going into a bye week. Finebaum came away so impressed with the performance, he’s ready to give Deion Sanders and company a shot at the Big 12 title.

And it was more than just Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter guiding the team.

“I am ‘Paul In’ and for the first time since Prime got there two years ago, I think this is a legitimate football team,” Finebaum said on SportsCenter. “It’s not about hype, it’s not about the stars, it’s about a football team that was the most impressive school to me of all yesterday, and I know that includes Alabama. But this team went on the road to a tough place, a big underdog, and they dominated, and they did it effectively. 

“And of course, they had Travis Hunter and Shedeur (Sanders and) everything else that goes with Deion Sanders. But they looked like a real football team instead of a gimmick. And I could not be more impressed. And I think for the first time, they may be a legitimate contender in their league.”

The run game didn’t explode, but Colorado received touchdown contributions from Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch. Shedeur Sanders threw for 290 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. Will Sheppard, Travis Hunter and LaJohntay Wester all reeled in scores.

The Big 12 might provide more opportunity, seeing how anyone can be beaten. Kansas State seems to be the front runner, following a win over Oklahoma State.

Utah lost to Arizona in an upset and suddenly the conference is upside down again. Colorado is 2-0 in the conference and takes on Kansas State and Arizona in its next two games, following a bye week.

But if Deion Sanders has Colorado humming right now, there could be a lot of eyes on the Big 12 midseason.

“A wonderful game,” Sanders said postgame. “Utmost respect for Coach (Gus) Malzahn. He keeps me going and he keeps me on my toes. What he’s accomplished and what he’s brought to college football is phenomenal …

“Football wise, it’s one of the first times that we came out and played a collective game offensively, defensively as well as special teams with (Alejandro Mata) hitting that field goal right before the half. That was tremendous. Even the play call right before Mata to get out of bounds, just phenomenal execution. Shedeur, I think he got touched a couple times but other than that, we ran the damn ball effectively. Really proud.”