Coach Prime Speaks On His Coaching Mentors, USC, Colorado Haters
Will former Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders and his starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders pull off the upset against the heavily favored USC Trojans? Coach Prime spoke to the Fox Sports' Big Noon Kickoff co-hosts about the Buffaloes' game plan, his coaching mentors, and more ahead of the big game.
Sep 23, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders watches the reply board during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
COACH PRIME'S MENTORS
"I could pick up a phone and call Coach Saban (of Alabama) whenever," Deion Sanders told Urban Meyers on his coaching mentors. "Because he is the Magna Cum Laude of all of this. Mike Zimmer's been there for me. Guys like Willie Taggart. What we have in-house. Pat Shurmur and Dennis Thurman, these guys are unbelievable in their experience, and their intellect, and their relational aspects of life, man. So I have so many people to glean from, you know, Mickey Andrews and Coach Bowden what they bring to the table is unbelievable."
HOW TO SLOW DOWN CALEB WILLIAMS AND USC OFFENSE
"You got to do the little things. Most of the time they have explosions is because of a blown coverage or someone is not doing their job. We got to be concise and doing what we do fundamentally sound. Everybody one play at a time. Do your job. And on the flip side of that, we got to protect Two [Shedeur Sanders]...we got to protect our quarterback."
ON ADDRESSING THE COLORADO HATERS
"I don't know how you prey on someone's downfall," Coach Prime replied to Mark Ingram II. "We're going to be consistent. We going to do what we do. But we're in this thing for the long haul. It's not a sprint. This is a marathon. And I promise you when I'm saying that under the light camera, and I made eye contact, so you better give me now. I'm not playing; I'm not lying because I know what we have on tap. I know you got to recruit for bringing in here. I know the understanding, the philosophies, and expertise with the coaching staff. I know what it's going to be. It's going to be that more sooner than later."
According to CBS Sports, USC is a 21.5 point favorite with an over/under at 73 points.
USC leads the all-time series with Colorado 16-0, winning by an average of 20.4 points dating back to the first meeting in 1927. Since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011, USC holds an 11-0 advantage, with one-possession games in 2015, 2016 and 2019.