Deion Sanders - Colorado must protect QB to compete in Big 12 - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — After finishing 4-8 and in last place in the Pac-12 in his debut season last year at Colorado, coach Deion Sanders made it clear what must change for the Buffaloes to compete in the Big 12, during the conference's media day Wednesday.

«We got to protect that quarterback,» Sanders said. «That's number one.»

Last year, his son Shedeur Sanders was the most-sacked quarterback in the country (52), which led Deion Sanders to completely overhaul the offensive line, including hire a new line coach, former NFL offensive lineman Phil Loadholt.

After a complete overhaul last offseason, too, Sanders said it was easier this time around.

«What makes it easy to connect with offensive line? Having the best darn quarterback in college football,» Sanders said. «Who don't want to come and block for the best quarterback in college football? You got to be a fool if you say, 'I don't want to be seen.'»

«The television numbers are crazy. They're on every darn week. So, I get exposure and I think 32 NFL scouts are going to be at every practice seeing these two guys [Shedeur and Travis Hunter] practice. So, I get to be seen. That's an easy — and it's not a sale. That's common sense for any lineman to want to be a part of.»

Colorado added six offensive linemen in the early transfer window, including two with Power 5 experience and the nation's top-ranked offensive lineman recruit, Jordan Seaton.

Despite another offseason of change, the Buffs were predicted to finish 11th in the conference in the conference's official preseason poll. Sanders laid out a different set of expectations.

«I'd be an idiot to sit over here and not tell you we plan on winning,» he said. «I don't know who sits down and says they don't plan on winning. You got