In their final regular-season home game against Oklahoma State, Colorado football coach Deion Sanders got almost everything he aimed for from his squad on Friday.

∎ The Buffaloes (9-3) defeated the Cowboys 52-0, ending the regular season at the top of the Big 12 Conference with a 7-2 record in the league.

∎ Sanders stated that his standout two-way player, Travis Hunter, “secured” the Heisman Trophy, noting his impressive stats: three touchdowns, an interception, ten receptions for 116 yards, two pass deflections, and one tackle.

∎ Additionally, three players for Colorado participated in both offensive and defensive roles – Hunter, lineman Tyler Brown, and cornerback-receiver Isaiah Hardge.

“How often do you see that in college football?” Sanders inquired.

He described the outcome as “a phenomenal finish.”

But what happens next?

What lies ahead for Deion Sanders and Colorado?

The future is uncertain until Saturday when three other Big 12 teams that are currently tied for first place complete their seasons – BYU is set to host Houston, Arizona State faces Arizona, and Iowa State will battle Kansas State at home. The Buffaloes are tied with these teams, each having a 6-2 conference record. For Colorado to advance to the Big 12 Championship on December 7, they need at least two of those teams to lose, or a BYU loss combined with a Texas Tech victory against West Virginia to win a league tiebreaker.

“I’m not the kind to just sit back and watch TV hoping someone loses…” Sanders remarked. “That’s not my style. I’m unsure about my plans for today. I might head to Vail or Breckenridge for some snowmobiling or something. I have plenty of time on my hands.”

If the preferred teams do not lose on Saturday, Colorado might miss out on other league tiebreaking scenarios and won’t compete for the Big 12 title in Arlington, Texas next week. Instead, they might play in the Alamo Bowl on December 28 or the Holiday Bowl on December 27.

Should they qualify for the Big 12 championship, there’s a chance Colorado could also earn a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff as the conference champion.

‘Our players will participate in the bowl game’

“Our players are going to participate in our bowl game because that’s what we committed to do, and we plan to follow through,” Deion Sanders stated during his postgame press briefing. “We’re not going to back out, as that disrupts the setup for next season. Some teams, when they don’t perform in the bowl game, struggle to bounce back. We have no intention of doing that.”

Shedeur completed 34-for-41 passes on Friday, amassing 438 yards and five touchdowns. He mentioned he’s already discussed bowl participation with his father and head coach.

“We have to set an example,” Shedeur Sanders explained. “We can’t expect others to go out there and play hard if we’re just sitting back relaxed. That was a lesson Dad shared with us. I agree with that. It doesn’t significantly affect me since I play nearly every game of the season.”

A memorable last home game for the Sanders family

Friday’s matchup marked the final game for the Sanders family at Folsom Field in Boulder, with 51,030 fans in attendance, along with another audience watching live on ABC. Shedeur and his older brother, Shilo, who plays safety for Colorado, are in their last year of college eligibility after transferring from Jackson State last year.

As the game’s last moments approached, Sanders reflected, “Wow, this is it. This is really it. Can you fathom how long this journey has been with my children?”

His coaching role dates back to their high school days. Shedeur will be entering the NFL next year, and Shilo hopes to follow suit. Deion’s eldest son, Deion Jr., runs a YouTube channel showcasing his father’s program at Colorado and may continue to do so unless he shifts focus to feature his brothers.

“Everything good in life eventually comes to an end,” Shedeur Sanders noted afterward. “It reminds you to cherish those around you always because you never know when it will end. I’ve appreciated everything, and I am grateful for all that has occurred.”

Deion Sanders seeks media support for Hunter

Shedeur plans to support Hunter at the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York on December 14, even if he is not nominated for the award (assuming Hunter will at least be a finalist).

Following the game, Deion Sanders made his final appeal for Hunter’s Heisman candidacy. Traditionally, quarterbacks from top teams have dominated the Heisman, but Hunter—a cornerback-receiver who hardly leaves the field—could shift that trend. He played over 110 snaps on Friday and became the first college player since 1996 to record three touchdowns and an interception in the same game, according to CU.

“I’ve seen it before,” Deion Sanders expressed. “He’s undoubtedly the top player in college football.”

He played a key role in revitalizing Colorado’s football program after a disappointing 1-11 season in 2022, followed by a 4-8 record in Sanders’ first year in Boulder.

“When I arrived, there was no clear standard,” stated Colorado safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, who moved from Jackson State alongside Shedeur. “Establishing a standard was crucial for me. Our goal is to dominate. Our aim is to win.”

After the impressive turnaround, Deion Sanders even reached out to the media for support, emphasizing that their coverage increases viewership when he and the Buffs are succeeding.

“Everyone benefits,” Sanders pointed out. “I really want you to understand this. It’s not only about us winning; it benefits you too. So why not strive to continue this success? Because when we’re losing, a good portion of this room is vacant. No one has a job, right? But when we’re winning, everyone is busy. Everyone gets the call. Everyone covers Colorado. Isn’t that correct? So I think we should collaborate to keep this momentum going instead of harboring negativity. Let’s value each other. I truly appreciate every one of you, whether it’s good or bad.”

(This article was updated with new information.)