- Head Coach: Deion Sanders (Third season)
- 2024 Record: 9-4 (Lost Alamo Bowl)
- Strength of Schedule: 53rd
- PFF Projected Win Total: 7.8
- FanDuel Win Total: 5.5
2024 Recap
After a somewhat disappointing 4-8 record in 2023, Coach Prime and Colorado turned things around this past year amid lofty expectations. The Buffaloes finished with a 9-4 record and ranked No. 25 in the final AP poll, their best season since 2016.
Wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter enjoyed the greatest two-way season college football has ever seen, and won the Heisman Trophy in the process, Colorado’s second winner of the bronze stiff-arm and first since Rashaan Salaam three decades earlier. With Hunter and superstar quarterback Shedeur Sanders now in the NFL, the Buffaloes enter a new era under Deion Sanders. Their pass defense will certainly miss Hunter, but it remains the strength of the team next year. Colorado’s passing game will miss Hunter even more and has far more concerns.
Biggest Strength: Pass defense
Colorado’s defense placed 23rd in the nation in EPA allowed per pass in 2024 and should remain a very strong unit in 2025, even after losing Travis Hunter. The Buffaloes return three defensive backs who played at least 500 snaps last year and brought back edge defender Arden Walker, who led the Big 12 with a 19.7% pass-rush win rate.
Biggest Weakness: How effective will the passing game be?
While Kaidon Salter is certainly more mobile than Shedeur Sanders, he pales in comparison as a passer, earning a 75.7 PFF passing grade at Liberty in 2024 that fell well short of Sanders' 90.5 mark. The Buffaloes also must replace their top four receivers, including Travis Hunter.
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