Paul Finebaum announces that it's over for Deion Sanders in Colorado: “There's no turning back”

Paul Finebaum believes Deion Sanders ' time at Colorado is heading toward an unavoidable conclusion after another damaging defeat exposed the same problems that have followed the Buffaloes throughout the 2026 season.

Colorado 's latest setback came Saturday night, when No.12 Texas Tech overwhelmed the Buffaloes 29-7 at Folsom Field. The result dropped Sanders' team to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 play, with Colorado entering its bye week having lost three consecutive games.

For Finebaum , one particular moment summed up the current state of the program.

“When the last image of a program’s last breath is your quarterback in his own end zone throwing a pick six, it’s over,” Finebaum said on The Matt Barrie Show.

“And I am not an ‘I told you so guy,’ and I thought I was wrong when I made this bullish*t statement years ago, and I never liked the move to Colorado… It just didn’t feel right, and I was completely wrong for a while because they bought into it.”

The interception came with Colorado already trailing in the fourth quarter. Isaac Wilson , making his first start for the Buffaloes , attempted a pass from deep in his own territory that Texas Tech linebacker John Curry intercepted for a touchdown.

It turned a difficult night into a 22-7 deficit and effectively ended Colorado's hopes of a comeback. Wilson 's performance was particularly problematic. He finished with 290 passing yards and one touchdown but threw three interceptions.

Colorado also lost the ball on a trick-play interception, meaning the Buffaloes committed four turnovers in total. Texas Tech converted those mistakes into 19 points.

The loss was even more frustrating because Colorado actually looked capable of competing during the opening half.

The Buffaloes scored on their opening possession and carried a 7-3 advantage into halftime. It was Colorado's first halftime lead against an FBS opponent in more than a year. But the offense completely stalled after the break, while Texas Tech scored 29 unanswered points.

Quarterback problem impossible for Sanders to ignore

Sanders has now openly identified quarterback play as the biggest obstacle facing his team.

The coach chose Wilson over Julian "JuJu" Lewis for the Texas Tech game in an attempt to inject life into an offense that had struggled badly. The decision initially appeared promising, but Wilson's three interceptions ultimately became central to the defeat.

Colorado's quarterback situation has been unsettled since Shedeur Sanders left following the 2024 season.

The Buffaloes cycled through three starting quarterbacks during their 3-9 campaign in 2025, and another change has already been made this season. Sanders was blunt after the latest loss.

“That's the position that's somewhat disabling us and disarming us,” he told reporters. “Somebody's got to step up and take hold of it and get it done.”

The coach also said the Buffaloes have "one glaring problem" and challenged his quarterbacks to improve during the bye week. Finebaum, meanwhile, believes the problem extends beyond one position.

“But that is not an easy place to manage,” Finebaum continued. “It is going to end either gracefully or spectacularly badly for Deion. I hate it. I know you do. Everybody does because… I’ve come to really respect and admire him.”

The Buffaloes went 3-9 last season, and this year's three-game skid has quickly erased much of the optimism generated by a 2-0 start. The criticism has also intensified beyond the quarterback position.

Colorado was flagged eight times for 84 yards against Texas Tech , missed two field goals and failed on a fake punt. Finebaum nevertheless made clear that his comments weren't motivated by a lack of respect for Sanders.

“He’s only the most charismatic figure we’ve seen in this game in a long time. But you can’t keep going,” Finebaum concluded. “Even with the beginning of the season that went well for him, nothing has gone right, and you cannot get it back.”

Sanders now has a bye week to find answers before Colorado returns October 17 against Utah.

That break could be particularly important because the Buffaloes need to settle their quarterback situation and find a way to generate consistent offense before the season slips further away. Finebaum has already reached his conclusion.

Whether Colorado 's next few games prove him right remains to be seen, but the pressure on Sanders is undoubtedly increasing.

The coach who once transformed the Buffaloes into one of college football's biggest stories now has to find a way to stop a three-game losing streak and restore an identity that has become increasingly difficult to see on the field.