"If Deion Sanders gets 8 or 9 wins & bowl game, you are looking at National Coach of the Year" - Stephen A. Smith showers praise on Buffaloes coach

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith believes Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders could be in contention for the Coach of the Year award if he leads his team to a few more wins and a bowl game this season.

The Colorado Buffaloes have made an impressive start to the season and possess a 5-2 record (3-1 Big 12). After going 4-8 last season, Sanders has sparked an impressive turnaround in his second year in charge.

On "First Take," Smith delivered a bold prediction for the Buffaloes season.

“If Deion Sanders gets this team to eight or nine wins, and they are in a bowl game, ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the National Coach of the Year.”

Smith noted that the Buffaloes were projected to finish 11th in their conference and they have exceeded expectations so far.

“We were questioning whether or not they were going to win four games," Smith said. "They are 5-2 after seven games."

Colorado started the season with a 31-26 win against North Dakota. The Buffaloes dropped to 1-1 after a tough 28-10 loss to Nebraska, but they rebounded with three straight wins. A narrow 31-28 defeat to Kansas State marked their second loss of the season but they responded with a commanding 34-7 victory over Arizona.

The Buffaloes host the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday.

Stephen A. Smith hails Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter

On First Take, Smith also singled out the performances of two-way star Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He suggested that Hunter would be the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy if he could stay fit for the rest of the season.

"They got a leading candidate for the Heisman in Travis Hunter, assuming he’s going to be healthy enough to play a few more games this season.”

However, Smith pointed out that Hunter could face stiff competition from Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

"I know this guy Jeanty out of Boise State is no joke," Smith said. "This brother can run spectacularly with the football. We got to pay attention to what we are seeing from him."

Jeanty has had a dominant season, rushing for 1,248 yards on 126 carries. He has posted 17 touchdowns in six games with multiple 200-yard games.