A New Era for the Buffaloes
Colorado’s football program has surged from outside the top 100 in the USA TODAY Sports post‑spring FBS power rankings to No. 73 in the CBS Sports 1‑138 composite, a jump that reflects both progress and the work that still lies ahead.
Within the Big 12, the Buffaloes remain the lowest‑ranked team, trailing traditional powers such as West Virginia, UCF and Oklahoma State, but the climb signals a shift that could reshape perceptions.
Much of the excitement centers on the duo of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, whose presence has defined three seasons under head coach Deion Sanders and now offers a tangible foundation for the future.
Building Blocks for 2026
A revamped coaching staff and a roster bolstered by transfers bring a sense of optimism, yet the team acknowledges that chemistry and execution must coalesce before any real breakthrough can be measured.
The Buffaloes enter their fourth year under Sanders with a clearer identity, but the challenge remains to translate talent into on‑field results and to prove that the program can compete consistently in a Power Five conference.