Stephen A. Smith Blasts Colorado Buffaloes: Fair or Unfair?

The Colorado Buffaloes lost their first game of the season to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and analysts like Stephen A. Smith have some strong opinions on Colorado coach Deion Sanders' team. What did Smith have to say in his criticisms of the Buffs?

Oct 23, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Stephen A. Smith (Stephen Smith) on the ESPN NBA Countdown live set at Intuit Dome. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Colorado Buffaloes started the 2025 season on a disappointing note, losing at home against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Friday night. The Buffs' loss has led to many reactions surrounding Colorado coach Deion Sanders and his team, and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith provided some of his own takeaways.

On First Take, Stephen A. Smith revealed his thoughts and was particularly harsh on Colorado's defense.

Stephen A. Smith Blasts Colorado's Run Defense

Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) carries the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

"The biggest takeaway that I got from this: Colorado ain't going no damn place, and 'Prime Time,' Deion Sanders would agree with me. They ain't going no damn place if they're going to give up 320 yards rushing. They gotta stop the run, and they ain't do that. That's a problem," said Smith.

As mentioned by Smith, Georgia Tech finished the game with 320 yards on the ground, led by 156 rushing yards from Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King. Tied 20-20 with under two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Colorado defense allowed King to run for a 45-yard touchdown that ultimately won Georgia Tech the game.

"I mean, Georgia Tech ran all over them. I mean c'mon. You've got to do better," Smith continued. "If you can't defend the run, which was a problem you had last year, particularly in losses, by the way. It was a problem you had last year. If you don't get that together, they ain't going anywhere."

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In 2024, Colorado's defense gave up an average of 151.4 rushing yards per game. Led by King, Georgia Tech boasts a dynamic rushing attack, but if the Buffaloes cannot stop the run, it could be a long season for "Coach Prime" and company.

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Smith Compares Kaidon Salter to Shedeur Sanders

Smith also had an interesting take on Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter and compared Salter's performance to former Buffaloes star Shedeur Sanders. Smith posed an impossible hypothetical, claiming that Sanders would have won this game for Colorado.

"The biggest takeaway of this season debut is that this quarterback (Kaidon Salter) that's replacing Shedeur Sanders, I like him. I mean, I believe Shedeur Sanders would have won this game whereas he lost it. He didn't lose it, but I'm just saying I think that Shedeur Sanders would have won those games in those particular situations. Because there were a couple of throws he missed, okay, that were touchdowns. He missed them, so I look at it from that standpoint," Smith said on First Take.

While Smith might have a point about Colorado's run defense struggling against Georgia Tech, he's being a bit unfair towards Salter.

Salter rushed for one touchdown and threw for another in the loss to Georgia Tech, completing 17 of 28 of his passing attempts for 159 yards. The Colorado quarterback's 43 rushing yards were second-most on the Buffaloes, behind only Buffaloes running back Micah Welch.

Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

After the game, "Coach Prime" praised Salter for his performance, but Sanders did say that he wanted to see Salter use his legs more.

Salter and the Buffaloes will have a chance to get back on track against Delaware on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1:30 p.m. MT.