Has Warren Sapp just set Colorado’s recruiting efforts in Texas ablaze? Kevin Borba and Brian Smith dive into the fallout after Sapp viral “Texas is fake football” comment—dropped just days after offering a Texas star running back. Is the bridge to the Lone Star State scorched beyond repair? Brian Smith shares firsthand how sensitive and interconnected Texas high school coaches are, and why the Buffs' staff may face a major uphill battle rebuilding trust.

Plus, the coaching staff’s social media savvy (or lack thereof) becomes free ammo for negative recruiters as Colorado attempts to reinvent its recruiting under Deion Sanders. Can new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion salvage relationships and keep the pipeline open? Then, Kevin Borba and Brian Smith go inside the portal: With the Buffaloes needing a major overhaul in both trenches, can they land a cornerstone offensive tackle like Talik Lockett? Should they chase splashy Power 5 cast-offs or build their roster through proven Group of Five grinders?

The hosts break down portal strategy, roster development, and why Colorado can’t afford another batch of transfers who “just don’t care.” Finally, they discuss key departures—Jaheim Otis, Noah King, Montrez Walker, and TJ Branch—assessing which losses matter and what it means for the Buffs’ depth and future plans. Locked On Buffs gets real about Colorado’s risky recruiting strategy, the need for damage control and culture change, and what it’ll take for the Buffs to make noise (for the right reasons) this offseason. Can Coach Prime’s star power and vision keep Colorado’s rebuild on track, or is the Texas recruiting bridge burned for good? Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧

https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/locked-on-buffs Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege #Colorado #DeionSanders #ColoradoBuffs #collegefootball Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Omaha Steaks Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale. And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Wayfair Get last-minute hosting essentials, gifts for all your loved ones, and decor to celebrate the holidays for WAY less. Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Rocket Money Take control of your finances and cancel your unwanted subscriptions with Rocket Money. Go to https://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON today. Aura Frames For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Colorado Buffaloes floundered from preseason promise to a 3–9 disappointment, but what truly went wrong? Kevin Borba unpacks the Buffs’ five “fatal flaws,” pinpointing the roster failures and off-field turbulence that derailed Deion Sanders’ squad. On this episode, Kevin Borba scrutinizes Colorado's misfortune in the transfer portal, singling out high-profile flops like Kaidon Salter and Jaheim Otis. He questions the Buffs’ fascination with “brand name” transfers over true scheme fits and details how coaching missteps—fueled by Sanders’ unavoidable absence—crippled development and talent evaluation.

The discussion covers a lack of positional depth, the pitfalls of staff inexperience, and Colorado’s persistent offensive line turnover, with frank talk about why the program must rethink its approach to both recruiting and internal culture.

Controversy hits recruiting as Kevin Borba reacts to Warren Sapp’s now-infamous “Texas is fake football” tweet, dissecting its backlash among high school coaches and the potential long-term damage for Colorado in the Lone Star State. Can new staffers like Brennan Marion help repair relationships and breathe life into the Buffs’ fading recruiting hopes?

Portal season heats up, and Kevin Borba highlights Texas State’s Talique Lockett as the next must-get target to bolster Colorado’s trenches. With fierce competition from Auburn, Penn State, and others, can Coach Prime land the cornerstone protector the Buffs desperately need? Will Colorado’s offseason shakeup—and lessons learned from these fatal flaws—set them on a path back to relevance, or are deeper issues still unresolved for 2025? Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official.

Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Omaha Steaks Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale. And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Wayfair Get last-minute hosting essentials, gifts for all your loved ones, and decor to celebrate the holidays for WAY less. Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Rocket Money Take control of your finances and cancel your unwanted subscriptions with Rocket Money. Go to https://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON today. Aura Frames For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Jaheim Otis, once Colorado’s marquee defensive tackle transfer from Alabama, is officially out after an underwhelming season—cementing his status as the biggest bust of the Deion Sanders era. Kevin Borba unpacks how Otis never matched the hype, why Colorado’s portal recruiting process must evolve, and what it means for an already thin defensive line.

Is it time for Buffaloes fans to reset expectations for future portal additions? Quarterback room drama ramps up as Kevin Borba explores the ripple effects of losing Kaidon Salter and a possible Ryan Staub departure. With 2027 four-star Dane Weber emerging as a key target and transfer options like TJ Finley on the horizon, how should Colorado balance short-term depth with long-term development under new OC Brennan Marion? Listeners are asked to weigh in: Is landing the next future star or grabbing an experienced backup more vital? The show closes with Shadeur Sanders’ rough NFL outing for the Browns, dissecting his struggles and the dysfunction threatening his pro future. Will a coaching change in Cleveland give Shadeur another shot, or is a trade the best hope for a turnaround? Kevin Borba evaluates the gauntlet Sanders faces, highlights the need for patience, and keeps optimism alive for Buffs fans following their NFL hopeful. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

🎧 https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/locked-on-buffs Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege #Colorado #DeionSanders #ColoradoBuffs #collegefootball Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Omaha Steaks Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale. And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Wayfair Get last-minute hosting essentials, gifts for all your loved ones, and decor to celebrate the holidays for WAY less. Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Rocket Money Take control of your finances and cancel your unwanted subscriptions with Rocket Money. Go to https://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON today. Aura Frames For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Colorado head coach Deion Sanders decided to promote from within to replace Corey Phillips as the Director of Player Personnel. Host Kevin Borba dives into what this hire means for Colorado moving forward, and why it shows that Deion Sanders is either taking a bit of a risk, or has a trick up his sleeve that will shock the nation like he has before.

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Omaha Steaks Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale. And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Rugiet If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step, now’s the time. Head to https://Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get 15% off your order for a limited time. Rugiet Ready. Feel present. Feel confident. Feel ready. Aura Frames For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Major shakeup in Boulder: Deion Sanders and Colorado lose director of player personnel Corey Phillips as he departs for the Memphis GM job. With Phillips’ exit after a high-risk, low-hit transfer portal class, Coach Prime faces the most pivotal off-field hire of his tenure—can Colorado finally find the right architect for roster construction as the transfer market heats up?

Kevin Borba dives deep into what Phillips’ departure means for the Buffs’ recruiting and portal strategy, how past misses on top transfer targets amplify the pressure to overhaul both on-field and off-field staff, and why the next personnel chief must master the art of roster building in college football’s new era. Sac State transfer portal chatter heats up as Kevin Borba names names: Which Sacramento State playmakers and key depth pieces could follow Brendan Marion to Boulder, and who actually fits Colorado’s desperate needs on offense and defense?

Plus, Shador Sanders’ toughest NFL test looms—a frigid road duel against the Bears. Kevin Borba breaks down what Sanders must show in harsh Chicago conditions and why his performance could shift both the Browns’ future and his own legacy.

With scholarship numbers dwindling, recruiting misses stacking up, and program identity in flux, can Coach Prime and Colorado turn adversity into an opportunity? Will the next portal maestro find more hits than misses—or will another painful reset be on deck?

Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Omaha Steaks Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale. And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Rugiet If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step, now’s the time. Head to https://Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get 15% off your order for a limited time. Rugiet Ready. Feel present. Feel confident. Feel ready. Aura Frames For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code COLLEGE at checkout. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Big 12 Conference has been nothing short of a whirlwind over the past week, marked by a major championship, postseason selection drama, and a groundbreaking business announcement that reinforces its "New Look" identity.

1. Championship and CFP Breakthrough

The week started with the Big 12 Championship Game where Texas Tech defeated BYU in a commanding fashion (34-7). This victory propelled the Red Raiders to a 12-1 record, securing the Big 12's automatic bid to the expanded College Football Playoff. The subsequent CFP rankings confirmed Texas Tech as the No. 4 seed, earning them a crucial first-round bye straight to the Orange Bowl Quarterfinal—a massive statement for the restructured league.

2. Bowl and Political Fallout

While the Big 12 celebrated Tech's CFP inclusion and the bowl selections for seven other teams, drama erupted over the bubble. Commissioner Brett Yormark publicly backed the CFP committee's decision, despite BYU's exclusion, and notably criticized Notre Dame's Athletic Director for his "egregious" outrage over the Irish being left out. This positioned the Big 12 as a stable, unified partner in the new CFP ecosystem, contrasting sharply with the ACC's turmoil. Adding to the controversy, the conference levied $500,000 fines on Iowa State and Kansas State for opting to skip bowl games, underscoring the conference's commitment to fulfilling its postseason obligations.

3. NFL Partnership Announcement

Perhaps the most significant long-term news was the conference's announcement of a strategic partnership with the NFL. This collaboration aims to align the two organizations on everything from officiating development and emerging technology to global growth initiatives. This unprecedented move further showcases the Big 12's innovative, business-forward approach under Yormark, establishing a distinct brand identity separate from the traditionalist SEC/Big Ten dynamic.

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