“We played like hot garbage. Good old-fashioned butt kicking. No excuses.”
Those were the words of Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders who had been the talk of the college football world entering Saturday’s showdown against the Oregon Ducks.
Unfortunately for Prime and his Buffs, they found out what real big-boy football looks like.
They had benefited from a relatively soft early season schedule, but on Saturday Oregon reminded them that there’s levels to this wild world of college football.
The Ducks thoroughly dominated Colorado in every single facet during the course of their 42-6 victory.
It was obvious that head coach Dan Lanning had his team ready to play – and once the video of his pregame speech began circulating, it was clear the reason why.
“We’re rooted in substance, not flash … the Cinderella story is over … They’re fighting for clicks, we’re fighting for wins. There’s a difference … This game ain’t going to be played in Hollywood. It’s going to be played on the grass.”
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning didn't hold back in his pregame speech against Colorado 👀
"They're fighting for clicks, we're fighting for wins." pic.twitter.com/imo4OHA4fA
— ESPN (@espn) September 23, 2023
Clearly Lanning and the Ducks were sick and tired of all the hype Deion and Colorado were getting. They took it personal (as Prime would say) and wanted to show the world who the (much) better team was.
And they sure did…
“We were prepared for a battle … It didn’t end up being a battle … I’m glad we got to put Oregon in the light it deserves to be in,” Lanning said after the game.
This wasn’t Lanning’s first time vocalizing his thoughts about Colorado and Sanders’ team. Prior to the season, he had questioned Colorado’s credentials when asked about their move to the Big 12.
“I’m trying to remember what they won to affect this conference, and I don’t remember,” Lanning had stated. “Do you remember them winning anything? I don’t remember them winning anything.”
Despite Colorado’s strong 3-0 start, fueled by motivation from Lanning’s comments, the Ducks’ coach didn’t express regret.
“I don’t regret anything I’ve said for this program,” Lanning asserted. “At the end of the day, I wasn’t talking about Deion’s team; I was talking about the past and the future for our team. But if that serves as material for them, great. I don’t think it’s going to have any bearing on the game or the success of the game.”
On Monday Dan Lanning was asked if he regretted the comments he made back in August about previous Colorado teams.
Here's his response: pic.twitter.com/RP7G2Ms4zf
— Max Torres (@mtorressports) September 19, 2023
It’s clear that Lanning was on a mission. Up 35-0 at halftime, he made it clear that they would keep their foot on the pedal.
“We’re not done yet. We’re not satisfied,” Lanning declared during a halftime interview. “[I] hope everyone that’s been watching [Colorado] every week is still watching.”
Clearly, this was personal for him and the Ducks.
Following the game, Sanders said Lanning can say whatever he wants since his team won in such dominant fashion.
“God bless him,” Prime said. “He’s a great coach. Take shots, they won.”
However, Sanders made it clear that this performance wasn’t reflective of the Buffaloes true potential, issuing a warning to their future opponents.
“Candidly, you better get me right now,” he proclaimed. “This is the worst we’re going to be.”
Deion Sanders responds to Dan Lanning’s pregame speech:
“You better get me right now. This is the worst we gonna be.” pic.twitter.com/vbKyL4c0pV
— On3 (@On3sports) September 23, 2023
What did you think of the game?
With Caleb Williams and USC up next, another ugly weekend could be on tap for Prime and the Buffs.