Colorado coach Deion Sanders sees some hypocrisy in this week’s conference realignment chaos.
“All of this is about money,” he said Friday. “You know that. It’s about the bag. Everybody’s chasing the bag. Then you get mad at the players when they chase it. How is that? How do the grownups get mad at the players for chasing it when the colleges are chasing it?” Here’s what you need to know:
- Sanders also fired a veiled shot back at Oregon coach Dan Lanning. The Ducks and Washington are expected to join the Big Ten, The Athletic reported on Friday.
- Sanders cut off a question about realignment. “I don’t care nothing about no different teams moving. We’re trying to win, man. I don’t care what conference, who we’re playing. We’re trying to win,” Sanders said.
- Sanders was also adamant that winning is ahead for the Buffaloes, despite being picked 11th in the Pac-12 this year. Las Vegas oddsmakers also set Colorado’s over/under for wins this season at 3.5. “We’re gonna win. We’re gonna win. I wish I could say it in different languages. We’re gonna win.”
Sanders responds to Lanning
Last week, Colorado announced plans to join the Big 12 in 2024, returning to the league after 13 years in the Pac-12. Lanning was asked for his thoughts.
“Not a big reaction,” Lanning said. “I’m trying to remember what they won to affect this conference and I don’t remember. Do you remember them winning anything? I don’t remember them winning anything.”
A reporter noted to Sanders on Friday that some teams were on the move as well.
“Yeah, the same teams that were talking about us, right?” he said with a laugh and a smile. “Oh, Lord, that was good.”
What else Sanders said
Sanders, who brought in nearly 70 transfers and several dozen after spring football, said this team feels more like his team than it did during spring practice.
“These kids can play. The roster is really talented,” he said. “It’s unbelievable, man. I love the depth we’re displaying right now. I really do. It’s a whole new team.”
Sanders also lauded the “unbelievable” unity between players who arrived over the summer, before the spring and the 10 scholarship players who were left over from last year’s team.
“It’s not an all-White table at lunch. It’s not an all-Black table at lunch. It’s a team. And I love that,” he said.
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(Photo: Ron Chenoy / USA Today)