Confident CU fans believe they’re ready to take a step forward – Boulder Daily Camera

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks during the Big 12 NCAA college football media days in Las Vegas, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Lucas Peltier)

LAS VEGAS – As they walked around the turf of Allegiant Stadium on Wednesday, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, went from interview to interview.

Some were planned, some were improvised, as the CU contingent was the most sought-after crew in attendance. And while they shared the spotlight, the Sanders seemed comfortable answering hours of questions about the 2024 Buffaloes during Big 12 media day.

Of course, the Sanders family has been in the spotlight for years, so it should come as no surprise that they feel comfortable in this environment.

“I’m not new to this,” Coach Prime said. “As we say in the neighborhood, I’m loyal to this.”

However, the comfort they all radiated also came from the fact that they had a good feeling about the team that CU has put together for this season.

After a 4-8 season in Coach Prime’s first year in Boulder, the Buffs are expected to finish 11th in their return to the Big 12. But they believe they can do better than that.

“Trust me, because I’ve been on the field and I know our team; I’m out there every day,” said Shilo Sanders, a senior safety. “Everything you all said we didn’t do well last year, we have better players now that are smart, that are doing well and playing well.

“You’ve got a better team at every position and the returning starters are better; you do the math. I’m not trying to brag or anything. I’m not trying to predict anything. We still have to go out there and win, but we definitely have a better chance to win this year than we did last year. It’s completely different and last year’s record doesn’t reflect this year.”

Coach Prime didn’t hesitate when asked what gives him confidence the Buffaloes can be better this season. He gave several reasons why he’s confident, but it was fitting that he started with the trenches.

“When I see the offensive line and the way they train, the way they work, the way they do their job,” he said. “When I see the defensive line coaches and the way they treat their kids and the way they demand excellence, and the way these young men work and the athletes that they are and the bodies that they have and that they’ve developed now.”

Coach Prime also praised the work of the receivers, running backs, specialists and other areas, but leading with the offensive and defensive lines was important. Struggles up front were a big reason CU finished last in the Pac-12 last year with a 1-8 conference record.

CU’s problems weren’t limited to practice last year, however, and Coach Prime believes a major problem has been addressed.

“We have mature young men who understand the moment, understand the timing and understand the now,” he said. “That’s what we have. That’s what we didn’t have. We didn’t have (enough) guys who believed in themselves. We didn’t have guys who believed in the program, believed in the team.

“We have young men who believe they are professionals. They believe that if we play the ball out – if we play the ball out – a lot more of us will get chances because we play the ball out.”

Buffs star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter are both projected to be top 10 picks in next year’s NFL Draft. Shilo is confident his name will be called, as will many others.

“I feel like more guys are just hungry to get to the league,” Shilo said. “So that’s who I am. So when you’re with like-minded players and just share the same attitude on defense, that’s what you want.”

Many of those like-minded players are new to the team this year, but the Buffs also have a significant number of their core players from last year returning.

“I am confident that we are all better versions of ourselves and that we have new and better players,” Shedeur said.

At media day, the Buffs showed their confidence and Shilo said he was excited to tell people what he expects from this season. So, what does he expect?

“Win,” he said.

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Confident CU fans believe they’re ready to take a step forward – Boulder Daily Camera

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