ESPN commentator Paul Finebaum. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Finebaum has strong take on Colorado, Sanders at SEC Media Days

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated Jul 15, 2024 3:27 PM ET

TV and radio personality Paul Finebaum was in mid-season form to kick off SEC Media Days on Monday. That included some scathing takes on where Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes stand in the greater college football landscape.

The Buffs were media darlings at the start of last season — regardless of what conference was being highlighted — and are taking a similar tone as they enter their first season in the Big 12 Conference.

Finebaum isn't buying it.

"Anyone asking whether Deion Sanders and Colorado are close to the playoffs simply doesn't understand the reality of the road," he told ESPN's "First Take," adding later on his scathing take: "They're irrelevant in the big picture of college football."

.@finebaum says Colorado is "irrelevant in the big picture of college football" pic.twitter.com/4sWxWKEmaY
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 15, 2024

Colorado had big plans as Coach Prime took over as head coach and promised to bring it to the same level of success he had while coaching Jackson State.

Colorado then went 4-8 to occupy the Pac-12 cellar. While Sanders and Co. are preaching an improvement over last season, Finebaum had a tough take on the reality of that situation.

"I'm not sure Deion Sanders is ever going to get Colorado to the playoffs because I don't think he has the patience to stay at Colorado long enough," he said.

Finebaum went back to commend Sanders for being "the best salesman I've ever seen."

"I personally love the guy and what he stands for," he continued. "But the program, looking out, has a ridiculously inflated view of itself."

We'll just have to wait and see if Finebaum is right. Colorado kicks off its 2024 campaign on Aug. 29 with a home game against North Dakota State.

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