He took a brief trip to his retreat in Texas last week, using the open week to recharge and regain focus.

But it didn’t take long for the spotlight to find him again.

“As quickly as they hop on (the bandwagon),” Deion Sanders remarked during his press conference on Tuesday at Colorado, “they can also hop off.”

And here we go!

If you haven’t been following along — and who hasn’t been enjoying Prime’s journey? — the Buffs narrowly escaped defeat in their season opener against an FCS opponent, continue to struggle in protecting star quarterback Shedeur Sanders, faced humiliation against Nebraska, and secured an overtime win against Baylor thanks to a miraculous Hail Mary. They also pulled off a surprising 27-point victory on the road against Central Florida, despite being 13½-point underdogs, all while boasting the top player in college sports, Travis Hunter, who excels at both receiver and cornerback.

Before Sanders could settle back in Boulder, his athletic director Rick George made a public statement wishing for Deion to finish his coaching career at Colorado. This was likely in response to ongoing rumors about Sanders potentially accepting a bigger job once his son, Shedeur, moves on to the NFL after this season.

On the field, the most significant challenge arrives this Saturday, as preseason Big 12 favorite Kansas State visits Boulder for the most awaited Colorado game in years.

This game serves as a critical evaluation for Sanders. With two weeks to prepare for the Wildcats, the atmosphere will be unparalleled at Colorado since they scored 62 points against Nebraska in 2001.

Now is not the moment for hesitation amidst the rising expectations. This team, which ended last season with a dismal record of eight losses out of nine games, has transformed into one filled with promise.

“We expect results when we invest the effort,” said Sanders. “We shouldn’t be surprised by our progress.”

However, this doesn’t mean he’s ignoring the naysayers.

This is the paradox of Deion. When he calls out those who doubt his vision (and what he’s building), every game turns into a high-stakes scenario.

Every poor performance. Every controversial call. Every misstep.

Every defeat screams “I told you so,” while every victory prompts the question, “What’s next?”

If Colorado triumphs over Kansas State — the same K-State that remains the most well-rounded team in the Big 12, despite a hefty earlier loss to Brigham Young — it won’t merely be another milestone in their progression.

It will lead to questions about the heights Deion and the Buffs can truly reach. Because if Colorado were to win the Big 12 and make it to the College Football Playoff, there may not be enough aspirin available to soothe the frustration of Deion’s critics.

Honestly, I doubt there’s a stage large enough for Deion’s self-promotional efforts.

“I know who they are,” Deion confidently states regarding his critics. “I certainly know who has said what, and I keep that close.”

This attitude is partly fueled by his confidence and a traditional drive from earlier in his career. Even two decades post-retirement from elite football, that competitive fire doesn’t simply fade away.

It’s a relentless urge, a hunger that always needs to be satisfied.

Instead of responding to past criticisms about his playing abilities or doubts around his dual-sport careers, Sanders now channels that energy towards proving his coaching skills.

He hears it all, and his sports background makes it impossible to ignore. It’s ingrained in him.

You may have heard various accusations: that his focus is solely on promoting his sons, that he lacks the ability to build a program, and that he’s merely a showman. There’s a belief that he doesn’t truly care about Colorado, that he’s just using it as a stepping stone for his son’s (and Hunter’s) NFL journeys. Once that’s settled, he will move on to his next venture.

And the cycle continues.

It’s possible that’s why George decided this week to voice his satisfaction with everything Deion has achieved and the promising future ahead.

“What he has accomplished is remarkable,” George stated.

It’s uncertain if Sanders will remain after his son’s final season at Colorado or if his approach to building a program through transfers will be sustainable in the long run.

Colorado brought in 82 new scholarship players in 2023 and has replaced 40 more in 2024. When the Buffs face off on Saturday in the biggest game in years, just four of their 22 starters were recruited and developed from high school, with only three recruited during the last two seasons under Sanders.

This season kicked off with six new assistant coaches, including both coordinators. Whether Deion acknowledges it or not, this transition is inherent in what they are building.

Everyone is looking for quick results, whether for financial gain, championships, or validation.

As quickly as they jump on, they can just as swiftly jump off.