- NCAA. Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes celebrate after LSU fans storm the field following stunning overtime win
- NCAA. Colorado controversy: Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders snubbed from Heisman Trophy race
The pressure of college football continues to mount for Deion Sanders as the head coach of Colorado faces not only tactical challenges but now even appearance-related critiques from fans-and family.
As the Buffaloes fight through a rollercoaster season, one particular change from Sanders, better known as "Coach Prime," has stirred up quite the conversation, even though it may seem like a minor adjustment to some. However, in a sport filled with superstitions, every little thing counts-and this might be more important than it seems.
Earlier in the season, Sanders became a trending topic not just for his bold coaching style but also for his new look: a stylish gray beard. Fans and media alike praised the image, with some going as far as calling it "the coolest move" Sanders had made off the field. But for the Buffaloes' recent game against Kansas State, Coach Prime showed up with a clean-shaven face, shedding the beard that had become part of his recognizable persona.
The result? A narrow 31-28 loss to Kansas State, a game that could have gone either way after a late-game touchdown from Sanders' son, Shedeur Sanders, temporarily gave Colorado the lead. Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson's game-winning 50-yard bomb sealed the Buffaloes' fate in the final moments, but some think the coach's personal decision may have played an unexpected role.
In a sport filled with routines and rituals, the timing of Coach Prime's sudden shave has sparked chatter among the fanbase. While the loss might be blamed on a variety of reasons-such as key injuries to players like Travis Hunter-several fans on social media couldn't help but point to the coach's altered appearance as the bad omen.
Deion's son chimed in on the criticism
And the most surprising voice joining the conversation? Deion Sanders Jr., his own son, who works on the team's media production. Sanders Jr. subtly jumped into the discussion by sharing a fan's post on social media, calling for his father to bring back the gray beard after the disappointing loss. With Colorado's social media presence being one of the most talked-about in college football, the younger Sanders' subtle push for his father's facial hair revival could mean more than meets the eye.
While the Buffaloes have performed admirably this season, even notching impressive wins over rivals like Colorado State and UCF, the superstition about the beard has quickly gained traction. Fans are questioning whether Coach Prime's clean-shaven look may have jinxed the team at a crucial point in their schedule.
Ultimately, it may all come down to coincidence, but the sentiment is clear: for many fans, there's no question that Coach Prime needs to let the beard return-because in the world of college football, appearances can be everything.