NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Colorado Buffaloes upset TCU this past Saturday in their Season opener but best of all, Shedeur Sanders proved he can play when the lights are bright and all eyes are on him. But where is the real recognition?
If he was Bryce Young, Max Duggan, Joe Burrow, or C.J. Stroud, Sanders would have leaped atop the Heisman Watch after one game. But he’s not them and while he put up yards galore, the media is not ready to put him in that class.
This is less about Colorado and more about his father Deion Sanders. No one wants Sanders to win outside of the brown-skinned football lovers and CU fans. CFB is not ready for Coach Prime, just yet. However, they may have no choice but to be ready for Shedeur Sanders.
This game was not against the University of Tennessee-Martin. This was against the National Championship runner-up. So what if Duggan wasn’t there? The nation was watching. They weren’t watching to give praise, they were waiting for the transfers from Jackson State University to be humbled. But it was clear from the start, that these kids know how to play ball no matter the stadium or the magnitude of the moment.
Sanders proved that he’s a D-1 QB. He sliced the TCU defense for 510 yards, 4 TDs, and no interceptions. And yet, it’s Travis Hunter being pegged as the Heisman hopeful for the Colorado Buffaloes, not the QB1 as would be with any other team.
And this is it to take anything away from what Travis did on Saturday. He’s one of these transfer players as well. His critical interception was worth all highlight reels and his 11 catches for 119 yards deserve all the praise. But it was Shedeur Sanders who played under pose and kept the Colorado Buffaloes alive just when it appeared as if the Horned Frogs were about to roll them over.
Can Shedeur Sanders Win The Heisman
This is what Heisman hopefuls do. They look defeat in the eye and say “Not Today. Not on my watch.” Leading your team to an upset win when you began the day +21 points underdogs wasn’t enough. Leaving an HBCU to play Power 5 football and succeeding with all the scrutiny and eyes on you, just wasn’t enough, huh?
The same analysts praising Caleb Williams and Bo Nix, must didn’t watch Sanders play this weekend. In most Heisman Watch polls, Sanders is not even listed. Michael Penix Jr, Sam Hartman, J.J. McCarthy, and Drake Maye are all listed above him. It’s understandable and I just may be in my feelings or caught up in the moment. But isn’t that the case with most Heisman voters nowadays?
The argument can be made that it’s only one game. But the same players stay atop those ranking off of one game, and at times, regardless of the final outcome. So why should Sanders be any different? I’ll give you a week. However, if he does this again next week against Nebraska, he better be on that list.
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