Deion Sanders Points to Dabo Swinney’s Blueprint as Colorado Seeks to Bounce Back

The Colorado Buffaloes may be sitting at 1-2 after a rocky start to the season, but Head Coach Deion Sanders isn’t ready to hit the panic button. Instead, he’s looking to history, inspiration, and a familiar figure in the college football landscape: Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney.

When asked about Colorado’s slow start, Sanders delivered words that felt less like excuses and more like a rallying cry. He spoke about Swinney’s ability to turn adversity into opportunity and reminded everyone that one tough September doesn’t define an entire season.

“Looking back on some of the things that they’ve accomplished, they’ve been sitting here before, 1-2, and they turned it all around. I think they ended up 10-2 that season. Why not us? Why can’t we turn it around? Why can’t we correct the wrongs with the rights and display consistency and do those things? We have the talent in-house. We’ve just got to put it to use and do what we are capable of doing,” Sanders said.

Those words echo the type of optimism and belief Sanders has brought to Boulder since day one. For “Coach Prime,” a 1-2 start is not the end of the story—it’s simply a chapter in a bigger narrative he’s still writing with his team.

Learning from Dabo’s Playbook

Sanders’ mention of Dabo Swinney is no coincidence. The Clemson head coach has long been a symbol of resilience and belief in his program. In 2014, Clemson started the year 1-2 before winning nine straight games to finish 10-3. Four years later, Swinney’s Tigers captured their second national championship under his leadership, cementing the program as a modern powerhouse.

Sanders sees a similar opportunity for Colorado, even if the program is still in the early stages of its rebuild. Like Clemson in those years, the Buffaloes are talented but young, and they’re learning how to play consistently against elite competition.

By pointing to Dabo, Sanders isn’t just praising another coach—he’s reminding his players and fans that turnaround stories are real, and they’ve been written before.

A Call for Consistency

Colorado’s struggles through three games haven’t been about a lack of talent. Shedeur Sanders has shown flashes of brilliance at quarterback, the receiving corps has proven dangerous, and the defense has had moments of grit. But as Sanders pointed out, consistency is the missing piece.

“You’ve got to correct the wrongs with the rights,” Sanders said. “We’ve got to put it to use and do what we are capable of doing.”

That message suggests that the Buffaloes don’t need a miracle—they just need execution. Penalties, missed assignments, and slow starts have plagued the team in their losses. Clean those up, and the same roster that went toe-to-toe with some of the nation’s best can start stacking wins.

Building Belief in Boulder

What makes Sanders unique is his ability to inspire belief—not just in his players but in an entire fanbase. He doesn’t shy away from high expectations. Instead, he embraces them and challenges his team to rise to the occasion.

For a program that hasn’t experienced much success in recent years, that belief matters. It changes how players approach practice, how fans show up on Saturdays, and how recruits view the future of Colorado football.

By invoking Dabo Swinney, Sanders is effectively telling his locker room: “We’re not the first team to stumble early, and we won’t be the last. The question is—what do we do next?”

Why Not Colorado?

As Sanders himself put it: “Why not us?”

It’s a powerful question because it challenges doubt head-on. If Clemson could turn a 1-2 start into a 10-win season, if TCU could come out of nowhere to reach the national title game in 2022, why can’t Colorado shock the college football world, too?

The road won’t be easy—the Pac-12 (soon to be restructured) is loaded with competition, and the Buffaloes will face several ranked opponents before the season ends. But Sanders has never been afraid of the spotlight, and he’s not about to let his team shy away from it either.

Final Thoughts

Deion Sanders’ comments about Dabo Swinney weren’t just praise for a peer. They were a reminder of what belief, resilience, and consistency can build. Yes, Colorado is 1-2. But as Sanders has proven time and time again—he thrives in situations where others count him out.

The Buffaloes have the talent. They have the leadership. And if they can find the consistency Sanders demands, they may very well write their own turnaround story this season.

In Sanders’ own words: “Why not us?”

Credit: David Robinson

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