Stephen A. Smith likes what he’s seen out of the Colorado Buffaloes this season. So much so that he’s stumping for head coach Deion Sanders again.
The ESPN personality has rarely shied away from spotlighting the former NFL great-turned-college football coach. While Sanders and Colorado struggled mightily last year, 2024 is different. CU is one win away from bowl eligibility, a significant step forward for the program. The Buffaloes also may contend for the Big 12 Championship when it’s all done and dusted this season.
On Monday’s episode of First Take, Smith praised Sanders again following the Buffs’ impressive win in Tucson over the Arizona Wildcats. Smith then went on to stump for Deion to win college football’s Coach of the Year Award.
“If Deion Sanders gets this team to eight or nine wins, and they are in a bowl game, ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the National Coach of the Year.” 👀@stephenasmith is all in on Deion Sanders and Colorado ✍️ pic.twitter.com/QFoT6O8zcj
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 21, 2024
“He’s been absolutely spectacular as far as I’m concerned,” Smith said during the segment on Sanders. “I say that because, listen, they came into the season predicted to finish 11th in their conference. We were questioning whether or not they were gonna win four games. They are 5-2 after seven games. They got a leading candidate for the Heisman in Travis Hunter, assuming he’s gonna be healthy enough to play a few more games this season.”
Smith also considered Boise State superstar Ashton Jeanty, who he also showered with praise. He made sure to note that he ran for nearly 200 yards against now No. 1 ranked Oregon back in Week 2.
But the ESPN personality stayed steadfast in his thoughts.
“But in the end, when you look at Travis Hunter and the way he plays, when you look at Shedeur Sanders and how he’s been balling. When you look at the fact that they’re 5-2 and that they could end up being in a bowl game! If Deion Sanders gets this team to eight or nine wins, and they are in a bowl game, ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the National Coach of the Year.”
