Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes have arguably the toughest schedule in the Big 12, and entering the former Super Bowl champion’s fourth year on the job, it’s tough to see just how far the program will move the needle in a conference again loaded with talent.
Yes, Colorado, finishing 3-9 overall and 108th among FBS offenses a year ago, is slated for another uphill climb with what college football guru Brett McMurphy tabs as the toughest schedule in the conference, according to one of the country’s foremost experts. The Sanders ship has fallen on hard times since that first 9-4 run with Shedeur and Shilo, and this fall looks like another rough ride.
Brad Crawford at CBS Sports hands Colorado just three wins (Weber State, Baylor, and UCF) for a final 3-9 overall record and 2-7 finish in Big 12 play. Of the Buffs, Crawford wrote:
“Few coaches nationally will face more pressure exiting the upcoming season than Deion Sanders if the Buffaloes stumble again in Big 12 play. He’s 9-18 against league competition over his first three seasons, with seven of those wins coming during the 2024 campaign. Colorado’s annual roster overhaul continues, but the Buffaloes haven’t shown enough consistency in the trenches or on defense to believe a dramatic turnaround is coming after last season’s 3-9 finish. Julian Lewis is talented, yet expecting a young quarterback to carry an offense through one of the Big 12’s toughest schedules is asking too much. The outlook becomes more optimistic if Colorado can take out Northwestern and Baylor early on the road.”
Roster overhauls are common anymore, and one could argue Iowa State, Oklahoma State or West Virginia have a similar uphill climb as Colorado this fall. Sanders, however, hasn’t maintained a consistent depth chart since stepping on campus and has little to show for his effort.
Breaking down the schedule from top to bottom, let’s just see where those wins may exist:
@ Georgia Tech (Sept. 3): On the road in Week 1 is tough, and Bobby Dodd Stadium, even on a Thursday night, will be rocking as this ACC-Big 12 contest kicks off one of the season’s first prime time matchups. As daunting as it is, it’s also an opportunity for Sanders and projected starting quarterback Julian Lewis to surprise a few folks, too. Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Colorado 24
Weber State (Sept. 12): Colorado’s lone FCS opponent might be their second-best shot at a home win behind UCF (Nov. 28). Weber State’s undergoing a rebuild with Eric Kjar, who developed multiple NFL talents, including quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Jaxson Dart at Corner Canyon High School before leaping into his first-ever college coaching gig. It’s not a handout, but Colorado should win this contest by two or more scores on paper. Prediction: Colorado 45, Weber State 14
@ Northwestern (Sept. 19): Another road test, but one that Colorado, hopefully, finds itself more prepared for after that Georgia Tech opener. Colorado matches up better than Northwestern skill-wise, and it’s an environment that’ll feel far calmer than the previous two weeks of football played in front of large crowds in Atlanta and Boulder. Prediction: Colorado 27, Northwestern 20
Utah (Oct. 17): This Colorado-Utah matchup should be much closer than last year, considering the job Morgan Scalley has in front of him patching up the trenches. Devon Dampier is another talented quarterback to deal with for a third straight game, albeit with a breather week thanks to the bye. Count on the Buffs to fight tooth and nail, but drop a close one at home. Prediction: Utah 34, Colorado 31
UCF (Nov. 28): It’s a regular-season finale with a lengthy road trip for their opponent. Scott Frost is answering a lot of the same questions as Colorado, and, like the Buffs, this could be a battle between two banged-up rosters in a footrace to see who drops first. Prediction: Colorado 29, UCF 10
