Colorado Fans Ask: Can Deion Sanders Beat a Team Without a Starter?

The betting lines tell a stark story about the state of the Colorado program. The Broncos host Kansas State on Saturday, yet the market lists the Wildcats as two-point favorites. That number suggests the wagering public trusts Collin Klein, a 37-year-old former quarterback, more than head coach Deion Sanders. It is a margin that has fueled a growing conversation in Boulder: if Sanders cannot defeat an opponent fielding its third or fourth-string option, what is the point of the investment?

The pressure builds on the back of a five-game losing streak. The Buffs are 5-15 in their last 20 games and hold a 2-15 record against Power Four conference opponents since December 2024. The roster turnover has not yet produced the discipline or results fans expected. With the most winnable game on the schedule arriving this weekend, a loss forces Colorado to win out just to reach a bowl game.

The contrast in personnel costs underscores the scrutiny. Sanders draws a $10 million salary for the season. Klein, who is in his first year as head coach, makes $4.1 million. Klein has never won a road game as a head coach, yet the market prefers him. The disparity raises hard questions about the value Sanders is delivering relative to his compensation package.

Kansas State enters the game with serious uncertainty at quarterback. Starter Avery Johnson is out, and backup Jacob Knuth is doubtful with an ankle injury. The Wildcats are expected to look to Blake Barnett and Dillon Duff, both of whom have had little playing time. The situation mirrors a chaotic 2020 game for Colorado when the team relied on players outside their primary positions and suffered a blowout.

The shadow of past departures looms over Folsom Field. In 2018, Mike MacIntyre was fired after a 31-7 home loss to Washington State. That defeat cemented doubts about his status, even as he brought a framed picture of a buffalo into a press conference in a final bid for support. MacIntyre and his predecessors Mel Tucker and Karl Dorrell had less administrative backing than Sanders, but their exits left a mark on the fanbase.

If Colorado falls to the Wildcats, the debate will shift to finances. Sanders has a $26 million buyout clause in his contract. Some observers are already joking about the need for a bake sale outside the stadium to cover that cost and fund the next head coach at an estimated $4 million per season. The math is simple: the team must win to justify the spending.

The game is set for Saturday. Colorado must beat a compromised roster to reset its trajectory. A victory would provide the necessary evidence that the new roster can compete. A loss would leave the program without a clear path forward and with a high-priced coach facing the toughest questions of his tenure in Boulder.