Colorado tied its worst season ever in 2022 when the Buffs went just 1-11, leading the end of the Karl Dorrell experiment after an 8-21 record in three years from 2020-22.
The Buffaloes made the definition of a splash hire when they hired Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders, who went 27-6 in three seasons over the same span.
Sanders attacked the transfer portal, unlike any coach we’d ever seen before, adding 51 players in the transfer portal and totally revamping the skilled talent on both sides of the ball. It paid immediate dividends, too, as the Buffs shocked the nation by upsetting No. 17 TCU in the season opener before moving to 3-0.
However, a 42-6 loss to Oregon started a downward spiral for CU, as terrible play along the offensive and defensive line eventually doomed the Buffs to a 4-8 finish after going 1-7 over their last eight.
This year, Colorado rebuilt the roster all over again, sending 35 of their 51 portal additions from ’23 out the door either through the portal, graduation, or the NFL.
So, what should we expect from the Buffs in 2024 with a totally new roster once again? Here’s a quick look at what the roster says on offense, defense, and special teams.
Colorado Offense: Priority No. 1 – Protecting Shedeur Sanders
Many NFL experts seem to agree that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is one of the premiere names at the position for the class of 2025, and he showed as much in ’23, that is, when he had time to throw. Colorado gave up 52 sacks last season – the most in the nation – and has now replaced eight of the ten offensive linemen in its two-deep from last year. New faces along the front include several multi-year starters, like Tyler Johnson (Houston), Kahlil Benson (Indiana), and Yakiri Walker (UConn), but also includes the No. 1 overall OL recruit in the ’24 class, Jordan Seaton.
Pat Shurmur will call plays again this season after taking over mid-year a season ago and will have several weapons for Sanders to distribute the ball to. At running back, Ohio State transfer Dallas Hayden and Miami (OH) transfer Rashad Amos will garner the most attention.
At wideout, Colorado added some major firepower to help out All-American Travis Hunter with the addition of two major portal additions: Will Sheppard (Vanderbilt) and LaJohntay Wester (FAU). The Buffs will be able to push the ball downfield – regardless of whether the play up front gets better or not – but if the OL comes together and CU finds a running game, this unit could be scary good.
Related: ESPN’s Greg McElroy: ‘Colorado is Bowl-Game Bound This Year’
Colorado Defense: Improved Front Seven Provides Some Promise
Colorado had one of the worst defenses in college football last season and couldn’t stop a nosebleed when their opponents started running the football. So, Coach Prime has opted for wholesale change – again – and has completely revamped the front seven.
Pitt transfers Dayon Hayes and Samuel Okunlula, along with Houston transfer DT Chidozie Nwankwo, will bolster the defense front and help tremendously in the run defense. Arizona State transfer defensive end BJ Green gives the Buffs a pass-rushing threat, which should help offset the loss of Jordan Domineck.
The back end of the defense appears to be in good hands, with Hunter returning at corner, and Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig both back at safety. If the addition of Nikhai Hill-Green (Charlotte) and Trevor Woods moving down to linebacker can shore up that group, this unit should see some major improvement.
If Colorado can be just average defensively, the Buffs have the tools to be as dangerous a team as there is in the Big 12. However, they were so far from average on that side of the ball that it’s hard to see them improving that much from a season ago.
Colorado Special Teams: Pointing Up With Returning Production
Colorado will return both starting K Alejandro Mata and punter Mark Vassett from a season ago and should see improved efficiency in the kicking game as a result.
Prediction: Colorado gets to 6-6, and Madness ensues.
As I’ve done with several other teams this month, Coloraod made me go back and take a look at my preseason projections for their win total. The Buffs got the short end of the stick when it comes to schedule in their first year in the Big 12, with conference games at UCF, Arizona, Texas Tech, and Kansas, while they’ll host Baylor, Kansas State, Cincinnati, Utah, and Oklahoma State.
However, I believe the Buffs have enough talent to stick around in a few games as an underdog and find a way to win six games on the season, getting them to a non-COVID-19 bowl for the first time since 2016.
Related: Predicting Every Game of the 2024 Big 12 Football Season
