Deion Sanders is now seventeen games into his tenure as Colorado’s head coach. The most recent of those 17 games was the Buffaloes’ most complete performance under his watch.

First, the Buffs held UCF to 177 yards on the ground. The Knights, led by running back RJ Harveycame into the matchup ranked first nationally with 375.7 rushing yards per game. But Harvey failed to reach the century mark for the first time this season, and UCF suffered a 48-21 home loss to a 15-point underdog Colorado team that is now 4-1, including 2-0 in the Big 12.

In other words, Colorado has already achieved double the number of league wins last year, when it finished 4-8 overall and 1-8 in conference competition. Granted, the Buffaloes were in the Pac-12 at the time, but their second-year progress is still significant, especially since it was in question following a 28-10 setback at Nebraska in Week 2.

But an overtime win over Baylor and last week’s loss to UCF in Orlando have captured the nation’s attention, and in a more serious way than Sanders’ 3-1 start to the 2023 season.

“I feel like we’re going in the right direction,” Sanders said after the game last week. “I feel like you guys are seeing the fruits of a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication and great hires. Great, I don’t want to say about acquisitions – that’s almost like we’re in the pros, but when you’re dealing with NIL with money and stuff like that, that’s pretty much the case – but bringing in the right people with the right attitude , the right work ethic. I like where we are as a program. Really and truly.

“Can we be better? Naturally. I think anyone can do that. But I know we are going in the right direction.”

Not only did Colorado’s defense see action against UCF, but so did the Buffaloes’ offensive line. After allowing sixteen sacks through the first four games of the season, Colorado gave up just two against the Knights. Additionally, the Buffaloes rushed for a season-high 128 yards.

Of course, Colorado’s stars continued to do their thing. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 80% of his passes, threw for 290 yards and posted a 3:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Travis Hunter hauled in nine passes for 89 yards and a touchdown at wide receiver and recorded his second interception of the season as a cornerback.

But individual standout performances are nothing new for Colorado. A complete game, on the other hand. That’s why the Buffaloes raised their eyebrows last week.

They take this week off knowing they are one of three Big 12 teams entering Week 6 with a 2-0 record in conference play this season.

They also know that, as Sanders said, they are “moving in the right direction.”