The buzz in Boulder has noticeably quieted. For the fourth consecutive year, attendance at the Colorado Buffaloes' spring football game has declined, signaling a shift from the initial frenzy surrounding head coach Deion Sanders.

The numbers tell a clear story: from a massive crowd of 47,277 in Coach Prime's debut 2023 spring game, attendance has steadily dropped to approximately 17,500 this year, according to local reports. This dip reflects the challenging cycle of rebuilding a program, where early excitement must eventually be sustained by on-field results.

As one CU sophomore aptly put it to the Denver Post, "We’re not anything new and shiny anymore." The trajectory of the team has mirrored the fan interest. After a thrilling 3-0 start in 2023, the Buffs finished 4-8. A strong 9-4 rebound in 2024 was followed by a difficult 3-9 season last year after stars like Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders departed.

Looking ahead, expectations are tempered, with sportsbooks setting Colorado's 2026 projected win total at a modest 4.5. The program's long-term commitment, however, remains firm, as evidenced by Sanders' five-year, $54 million contract extension signed last March.

In college football, hype can open the door, but consistent performance keeps the stands full. The coming season will be a critical test of whether the Buffaloes can recapture that early magic and translate it into a winning product on the field.