Colorado’s 20-10 loss to Arizona State deepened questions about Deion Sanders’ future as the Buffaloes near another losing season. Sanders said he’s focused on his players, while acknowledging the team’s performance has fallen short of what fans deserve. A costly buyout could make a coaching change difficult, even as Colorado’s on-field struggles mount.

By the Numbers
  • Colorado is 3-6 overall and 1-5 in Big 12 play.
  • Sanders is 19-26 at Colorado, including 10-21 in conference games.
  • The Buffaloes have lost 11 of their last 13 Big 12 games and haven’t won a conference road game in two years.
  • Sanders’ reported buyout is more than $25 million; his 2025 extension is worth $54 million over five years.
Yes, But

Colorado’s results have fueled job-security speculation, but the reported buyout raises the financial cost of firing Sanders without cause. A negotiated separation could be an alternative, though it’s unclear whether Sanders would consider leaving.

State of Play
  • Colorado must win its final three conference games to become bowl-eligible.
  • The Buffaloes host Houston, visit Cincinnati on Nov. 21 and close against UCF.
  • Sanders’ contract calls for 75% of his remaining base salary if Colorado fires him without cause; the amount would be lower if the school waits until 2027.
What's Next

Colorado’s remaining games will test whether the team can salvage its season and ease pressure around Sanders. If the losses continue, the school may face a difficult choice between retaining him and pursuing a potentially expensive or negotiated exit.

Bottom Line

Colorado’s problem is both sporting and financial: the team is struggling, but moving on from Sanders could carry a steep price.