Coach Prime’s Buffs absolutely embarrassed in Big 12 opener

The Colorado Buffaloes were beaten down in their Big 12 opener on Friday in Houston, losing to the Cougars 36-20.

A brief flurry late in the second quarter kept the game close, but aside from that stretch, Deion Sanders’ decison to start former third-stringer Ryan Staub, coupled with the normal Coach Prime mistakes and a lack of talent across the field, meant the Buffs were out-classed all evening. In the second half, CU gained just 97 yards in the 25 plays; they were even able to run. Meanwhile, a defense that held up alright for much of the first half collapsed under fatigue after halftime.

“I’m lost for words,” Sanders said after the game. “No one could have told me this was going to happen after this week’s preparation… I take full responsibility.”

#CUBuffs HC Deion Sanders: "I'm lost for words… No one could have told me this was going to happen after this week's preparation… Thank you, God, for not allowing me what I want to say. I take full responsibility."

— Oliver Hayes (@ocuhayes) September 13, 2025

Houston scored on their first three drives for a 13-0 lead, while Colorado’s began with four 3-and-outs in Staub’s first start since late 2023. A Staub scramble and some run game efficiency, highlighted by Simeon Price, kick-started CU into two scoring drives right before the break.

But a grueling eight-minute drive by the Cougars to start the second half that resulted in a fourth field goal made took a lot of wind out of the Buffs’ sails. Houston would connect on five field goals in the contest. Anyway, the second-half woes were emphasized early by a third-quarter-starting 3-and-out from CU, followed by a Houston touchdown; basically, Colorado was out of the game with just five plays run in the third quarter.

The first play of the fourth was a Staub interception. Houston couldn’t do anything with it, but Colorado went 3-and-out again and then had to punt while down multiple possessions in the fourth quarter. Both teams, including a long Staub touchdown pass, scored in garbage time.

Staub threw another interception at the tail end of the game, making his final line 204 yards and one touchdown on 19 of 35 passing with two picks. He picked up 36 yards on the ground but was sacked three times.

“Staub didn’t play well, I saw what you saw,” Sanders said after the game.

Coach Prime believed this year’s team would be better than last year’s, even with the herd of talent that turned pro. Sanders was wrong. And the Buffs are still struggling with some of the same issues, getting gashed for 209 yards on the ground, just as they did in some of last year’s worst losses.

“We’re not struggling, we’re getting our butts kicked. Don’t sugarcoat it,” Sanders shared.

Colorado hosts Wyoming next week in their final nonconference game to get back to .500. If the Big 12 opener is any hint, the Buffaloes are in for some very tough games ahead.

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