𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Odds to make the CFP: 1.1 percent

Odds to win the Big 12: 0.4 percent

The Athletic 138 ranking: 77th

Will they be better, worse or the same this year: Better, although they can’t be much worse.

Pedigree: Colorado won a national title and had four top-10 finishes in the 1990s but has been the definition of mediocre since. The Buffs have had losing seasons in 17 of the past 20 years and only twice in that stretch finished in the Top 25.

Why they’re interesting: If nothing else, Deion Sanders has made them nationally relevant. It’s never boring, and he did back up a lot of the hype by taking over a one-win program and making the Buffaloes respectable by Year 2, including developing generational talent two-way Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Sanders dealt with bladder cancer before last season and underwent surgery. He had been away from his team for three months in the offseason and lost a lot of weight and his energy. After going 3-9, Sanders replaced both coordinators and added a lot of experienced players in the portal.

Who is the coach? The 58-year-old Sanders had a wild three-year run in Boulder, bookending two 1-8 seasons in conference play (Pac-12 in 2023, Big 12 in 2025) around going 7-2 in the Big 12 in 2024. A lot of observers are surprised he decided to stay with the Buffs after his sons and Hunter departed after the 2024 season, especially given his health issues. Whether this reboot goes as well as his first one in Boulder remains to be seen, but the coach is excited about it.

Who is the QB: JuJu Lewis (No. 49 in QB Tiers). The 18-year-old sophomore graduated high school a year early and played in four games last year, starting two as the Buffs rotated three QBs. The 6-1, 185-pounder completed 52 of 94 passes for 589 yards and four TDs and zero INTs in 2025. Lewis isn’t a dynamic runner, but his arm talent made him a top recruit.

Key player: Running back DeKalon Taylor. The Buffs finished last in the nation in rushing in Sanders’ first two seasons and ranked No. 104 last year. New OC Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense finished No. 7 in rushing in his second season at UNLV after ranking No. 44 in his debut. In Taylor, a 5-8, 180-pound transfer from FCS Incarnate Word who missed most of last season with injury, the Buffs have a dynamic all-around back who should complement Alabama transfer Richard Young, a bigger back. “He’s a 4.3 (40) guy,” Marion said of Taylor. “He’s like a Darren Sproles type.”