Colorado Buffaloes Head Coach Deion Sanders Expresses Frustration Over Late Game Scheduling

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is livid over the scheduling of his team’s upcoming game against Kansas State, set for a late 10:15 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday. After making a move to the Big 12 this year in hopes of securing earlier start times, Sanders is disappointed to see the status quo remain.

During a discussion on the Colorado Football Coaches Show, Sanders expressed his frustration, asking rhetorically, “Who does that? Who decides to set a game time like this?” He was informed by host Mark Johnson that television networks, particularly ESPN, hold the power in these decisions.

“How stupid is that? How stupid is that?” Sanders reiterated, questioning the logic behind scheduling games at times when many fans are fast asleep. He emphasized that any television executive should prioritize maximizing viewership and merchandise sales, asking, “Why would you schedule a game at a time when half of America is asleep?”

Despite Sanders' passionate critique, ESPN has defended its choices. Last season’s matchup between Colorado and Colorado State, which ended at 2 a.m. ET, broke records with an average viewership of 9.3 million, making it the most-watched late game in the network's history. This suggests that there is a significant appetite for late-night college football, even if the scheduling poses challenges for coaches and players.

Interestingly, the Buffaloes have maintained a strong television presence, ranking 10th nationally in average viewership with 4.3 million viewers per game through the first five weeks of the season, notwithstanding their unranked status in the Top 25. Sanders' team continues to draw a crowd despite the late night start times, indicating the compelling nature of their games.

As the game approaches, Sanders noted that the late kickoff is a personal inconvenience, admitting that he typically goes to bed around that time. To cope, he's planning a nap before the game to ensure he's energized for the matchup.

With the Buffaloes currently holding a 4-1 record, fans are eager to see how the team performs, even if some will be watching from their beds. Is this late-night scheduling a trend that we will continue to see? Only time will tell, but for Sanders and his players, it’s certainly a challenge to navigate in their quest for success in the Big 12.