What Deion Sanders thinks about facing Caleb Williams

When asked what stands out about USC quarterback Caleb Williams, Deion Sanders had a simple answer.

“Everything,” Sanders said at a news conference this week.

This is no exaggeration. Williams, the defending Heisman Trophy winner, got USC’s offense rolling again in his junior season. Heading into Saturday’s No. 8 USC game against Colorado, the Trojans lead the nation in scoring offense, averaging 55 points per game. USC also ranks third nationally in total offense (569.2 yards per game) and passing offense (377.2).

“Coach Prime” and Buffalo lost to Oregon last weekend by 36 points.It was their first loss of the Sanders era, and Colorado bowed out Associated Press Ranking results. Immediately after losing the game, the Buffs faced another top-10 Pac-12 team with a top quarterback.

Sanders knows his defense faces a challenge.

“This kid is a playmaker,” he said of Williams. “He won the Heisman Trophy a year ago and he deserves it. Love seeing his personality in AD. He’s the epitome of class and confidence and what he brings to the table. He makes plays. He gets the team going. He is a minority.”

USC will travel to Boulder, Colorado, for a showdown Saturday at noon ET. Here’s a closer look at Williams and the Trojans’ game against Buffalo.

Williams will compete for second Heisman Trophy

When Sanders mentioned that he loves seeing Williams in commercials, he was probably referring to the quarterback’s appearance in Nissan’s “Heisman House” commercial. If Williams continues his stellar play, he could become just the second player in Heisman House history to own two iconic trophies.

Williams captured college football’s top honors a year ago with 4,537 passing yards and 52 touchdowns. Four weeks into the 2023 season, things are largely unchanged. The junior threw for 15 touchdowns and no interceptions in USC’s 4-0 start.

But the 6-foot-1 signal-caller faces stiff competition early in the Heisman race.

FanDuel Sportsbook ranks Williams with Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the best odds to win the Heisman Trophy this year. As of Thursday afternoon, FanDuel had both quarterbacks at +380. DraftKings Sportsbook currently lists Penix as the favorite at +360, just ahead of Williams at +400.

USC is a 21.5-point favorite over Colorado as of Thursday, so Saturday could provide an opportunity for Williams to solidify himself as the Heisman frontrunner, according to Caesars Sportsbook.

Williams scored three touchdowns and ran for two more in USC’s win over Colorado last season. But that was before “Coach Prime” took over. Sanders brought in dozens of new players through the transfer portal to complete a major roster overhaul for a team that’s 1-11 in 2022. Williams said this week he was impressed with Colorado’s progress in a short period of time.

“Honestly, they did a great job,” Williams told reporters. “This is not the same team we played last year. It’s not the same coaching staff and players. We have to understand that and that’s what we’ve been making sure we do understand. They’ve done a great job. It’s going to be a good game. game. I’m excited to play against them.”

“He’s done a great job with the roster,” USC coach Lincoln Riley added. “He seemed very sincere in his approach.”

Buffalo quarterback Shaddell Sanders was also in the Heisman conversation before the loss to Oregon State. Despite being sacked 22 times, the son of “Coach Prime” threw for just 1,410 yards and 11 touchdowns this season with just one pick. Leading Colorado to an upset victory over USC would be a step in the right direction to get back into contention.

Colorado has not beaten an AP top-10 team in its last 19 games, according to Pac-12 data. The last time Buffalo beat a top-10 team was in 2007. USC also has a 16-0 record against Colorado.

USC Colorado’s impressive guest list

As has been the case during the first month of the 2023 season, all eyes will be on Colorado in Week 5. Colorado’s game against Oregon State drew 10 million viewers, making it the second-most-watched game of the college football season, despite being close for much of the game.

Expect more of the same this week.

USC Colorado is receiving national television coverage from Fox.network Kick-off at noon The pregame show will be held in Boulder for the third time this season.and the FS1 sports debate show Undisputed will be there too.

Many celebrities attended Colorado’s final home game against Colorado State. But pairing Coach Prime with USC makes this week’s guest list even more star-studded. sports illustrated LeBron James and his son Bronny, Jay-Z, Matthew McConaughey, Lil Wayne, Will Ferrell and Snoop Dogg will reportedly attend Saturday’s game.