Deion Sanders is trying a different kind of fix for Colorado’s penalty problem, and it starts with cornerback Cree Thomas.
After the Buffaloes were flagged nine times in their 23-13 loss to Baylor in Week 4, Sanders said on Sept. 29 that he took Thomas out of his usual comfort zone during practice. Thomas, one of Colorado’s most penalized players, was told to go without gloves.
That didn’t mean his hands were completely uncovered.
“Today he had on mittens for gloves,” Sanders said during his media presser.
Sanders also kept the message light with a sharp joke aimed at Thomas.
"One more penalty, and I'm going to cut his darn hands off so he won't grab."
The comment was sarcastic, but Sanders also pointed to the part of Thomas’ game that has made the Buffaloes trust him anyway. Thomas has been penalized for grabbing, including two pass interference calls in Waco, but Sanders said the cornerback has not let the mistakes snowball.
"Cree doesn't get down on himself," Sanders shared. "He gets more upset that he hurt us.
But he's there. He hasn't given up many catches when he's bumping.
Yet even when he's not bumping [at the line of scrimmage] he's given up, maybe, three catches."
Colorado’s challenge doesn’t get any easier with Texas Tech coming to Folsom Field on Oct. 3 for the Big 12 home opener. Sanders called attention to the group of cornerbacks he expects to lean on, and Thomas remains a key piece in that mix.
The Red Raiders arrive at No. 12 in the national rankings and as a 2025 College Football Playoff team that won the conference title. Texas Tech has leaned on its passing game for years, and this team is no different, ranking eighth among conference teams at 250.8 passing yards per game. Kenny Johnson and Coy Eakin have both topped double-digit receptions.
Under coach Joey McGuire, Texas Tech has also added more run-heavy ideas to its spread attack, making the offense less predictable. That should give Colorado defensive coordinator Chris Marve a tougher test, and it could also put Thomas in spots where he has to stay disciplined against the Red Raiders’ receivers.
Thomas’ best work still comes when he can get hands on receivers at the line, and Marve may continue to let him play that way. If Texas Tech starts attacking the other side of the formation, Thomas could also slide to nickelback if the Red Raiders target the area opposite slot cornerback Boo Carter.
Even with all that, Texas Tech still hasn’t settled on a clear lead receiver. Eakin has been the most reliable option, while prized five-star signee and returner Micah Hudson has yet to show his full ability.
For Colorado, the matchup will demand clean technique and better discipline, especially from Thomas, whose physical style can either help the Buffaloes or drag them into more penalties when the pressure rises.
In Other News...
Colorado Just Turned Baylor's QB Problem Into A Bigger Big 12 Story
Julian Lewis spent part of the Baylor game on the sideline after Colorado went to Isaac Wilson at quarterback, a move that instantly turned the Buffs most watched position into the biggest question hanging over the week. Wilson finished 12-of-25 for 156 yards and a touchdown, while Deion Sanders made clear afterward that Lewis is still very much in the mix and that the room has stayed supportive through the change.
Now Colorado is heading toward a bigger decision before Texas Tech, with Wilson, Lewis and Kaneal Sweetwyne all still in play. For a team trying to find its best offensive rhythm in the Big 12, the quarterback conversation is no longer just about one game or one player. It has become the kind of week-to-week choice that can shape how the rest of the season looks. [Read more 🡒]
Deion Sanders Is Facing A Colorado Conversation Fans Never Expected
Colorados early-season stumble has put Deion Sanders in the same uneasy conversation usually reserved for coaches on the hottest seats. The scrutiny around the Buffaloes is only growing after a rough stretch, and the broader picture around college football makes the moment feel even sharper, with other high-profile coaches such as Mike Locksley, Greg Schiano and Lincoln Riley also drawing increased pressure as losses pile up and tougher games loom.
For Sanders, the disappointment is not just about one result but about how quickly expectations can shift when momentum disappears. Colorado still has games ahead that will test whether the program can steady itself, and for a fan base that never expected this kind of discussion so soon, the bigger question is whether the season can be steered back before the noise around the job gets any louder. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Fans Face A Tougher Price To See Texas Tech
The next big home date at Folsom Field is also turning into one of the pricier ones for Colorado fans. When Texas Tech comes to Boulder for a Big 12 matchup, the secondary market is already showing tickets starting around $100, while official prices run from $100 to $303, a reflection of how much attention this game is drawing well before kickoff.
A ranked opponent tends to do that, and Texas Techs No. 11 status is a big part of the equation. Add in the games tie-in to Colorados Homecoming and Stripe Out events, and this one carries a little extra buzz for a late-season home crowd, even if the cost of getting in makes the walk up the hill a tougher sell. [Read more 🡒]