Will Deion Sanders get big TV ratings if Colorado football continues to struggle?

This is a fascinating topic to consider.

We are talking to our Pac-12 football panel about the most interesting stories in the conference this season. One subject of interest is the Colorado television ratings story. Colorado-UCLA was the third-highest-rated TV game from Week 9, even though the Buffaloes are unlikely to go to a bowl game. Moreover, that Colorado-UCLA game — while close at halftime — was dull. UCLA led 7-6 at the intermission. The Bruins then pulled away for a 28-9 lead in the fourth quarter before Colorado scored a meaningless cosmetic touchdown.

That game was still number three on the TV ratings list. It’s quite remarkable, given how unimpressive and insignificant that Colorado-UCLA game actually was.

We asked our panel: “Is this going to sustain itself in Year 2 even if Colorado remains mediocre?”

Matt Zemek: I think in Year 2, Deion will still have enough juice and carry enough national interest to remain a TV draw, but if CU plays mediocre ball next year, it won’t carry into 2025 or beyond.

Zachary Neel: I think wherever Deion goes, the media will follow. He’s too magnanimous of a person to not draw eyeballs. Let’s just hope Colorado gets better so it feels more deserved.

Matt Wadleigh: I really, truly feel it will sustain itself, especially with the Big 12 move. People wanna watch Deion no matter what.

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