Paul Finebaum is NOT A Believer in Colorado

Paul Finebaum does not seem to believe in Colorado this year.

On The Matt Barrie Show, he said the Buffaloes’ outlook is “pretty bleak” and added that the program is not likely to be a factor the rest of the season. Finebaum acknowledged what Deion Sanders has tried to build, but he made clear that hype and hope only go so far.

Finebaum said, “It’s certainly in the short term, pretty bleak. It was sad to watch that the other night. I mean, I think you know what Deion has overcome. I think everybody in the country pulls for him, but they’re not going to be a factor the rest of the season.” He cast doubt on Colorado’s ability to turn things around, especially under constant pressure and bright‑light expectations. He emphasized that while Sanders excels when under scrutiny, losing key games without showing steady growth is a path toward being overlooked.

What Finebaum misses in some of these takes is what others see. Deion Sanders brought energy, transfers, name recognition, and renewed expectations to Boulder. The program has already moved in ways many never expected just a year ago. That does not erase losses or inconsistency. It does mean that part of the story is not just wins and losses, but transformation — recruiting, visibility, culture.

If Colorado is going to show Finebaum wrong, it will require more than just flashes of brilliance. It will require steady improvement on third downs, fewer mistakes in critical moments, sharper execution in tight games, and growth when playing teams that punish even small errors. The Buffaloes must stop treading water and start building momentum.

Fans, recruits, and even Sanders himself are watching these next few games as more than simple tests. The spotlight keeps shining. The expectations keep rising. Finebaum’s skepticism might be harsh, but it also reminds Colorado what happens when performance lags under visibility.

If Colorado ends up proving him wrong, it will not be because Finebaum was quiet. It will be because Sanders answered the doubters with results.