Colorado Buffs couldn't hold the hype, finishing season in lackluster fashion

• Leading the surge, standing tall with shiny gold shades, was Coach Prime.

Yes, but: What had once felt like college football's biggest comeback story — the Buffs won a single game in 2022 — morphed into a cautionary tale as the team hobbled to a 4-8 finish, losing its final six games.

• Despite being two wins away from bowl eligibility in early October, Colorado still fell short.
• Star quarterback Shedeur Sanders didn't play the season's final game last Saturday due to a fractured back. He was sacked 52 times this season.

But, but, but: The Buffs improved their win total from the previous season, managed to sell out Folsom Field for every game, and had merchandise flying off shelves — all indicators the program has returned to relevancy.

• "Prime Time was a hit. We will expect more from the encore," William C. Rhoden wrote at Andscape.

What they're saying: "We got our butts kicked twice this year out of 12 games … every other game, other than that, we had a shot — and I think that's progress," coach Deion Sanders said in a press conference after the loss at Utah.

• Last season, 10 of the team's 11 losses were by at least 23 points.

What's next: The Buffs' run in the Pac-12 is over as they join the Big 12 next season.