Colorado Buffaloes
Big 12
0-0 (0-0 conf)
SP+ #96
Ratings
2025 final
- SP+
- -8.3 (#96)
- SP+ Offense
- 22.6
- SP+ Defense
- 29.5
- SRS
- -2.2
- FPI
- -2.7
- Elo
- 1344
- Talent
- 755
- Recruiting
- 193 (#67)
2026 Outlook
Projected wins
4.3p10 2.0 — p90 6.0
| Round | Prob | |
|---|---|---|
| Win conference | 0.0% | |
| Make CFP | 0.0% | |
| Quarterfinal | 0.0% | |
| Semifinal | 0.0% | |
| Natl. final | 0.0% | |
| Natl. champ | 0.0% |
Schedule
proj record 4.5–7.5
Schedule
37th
toughest of 136
Offenses faced
34th
toughest of 136
Defenses faced
41st
toughest of 136
Strength of schedule — how tough this team's opponents are, ranked 1 (hardest) to 136 (easiest) · by 2025 SP+ · 1 FCS game.
| Wk | Opponent | SP+ | Score | Proj | Win% | Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @Georgia Tech | +9.3 | 15-30 | -14.8 | 19% | — |
| 2 | vsWeber State | FCS | 43-5* | +37.7 | 99% | — |
| 3 | @Northwestern | +5.8 | 17-28 | -11.3 | 25% | — |
| 4 | @Baylor | +1.4 | 21-29 | -8.5 | 30% | — |
| 5 | vsTexas Tech | +27.6 | 21-33 | -11.6 | 24% | — |
| 7 | vsUtah | +22.2 | 17-40 | -22.4 | 9% | — |
| 8 | @Oklahoma State | -15.1 | 27-24 | +2.7 | 57% | — |
| 9 | vsKansas State | +7 | 23-32 | -9.1 | 29% | — |
| 10 | @Arizona State | +3.9 | 22-29 | -7.1 | 33% | — |
| 11 | vsHouston | +7.4 | 21-31 | -10.2 | 27% | — |
| 12 | @Cincinnati | +4.5 | 22-25 | -3.5 | 42% | — |
| 13 | vsUCF | -1.2 | 25-23 | +1.5 | 54% | — |
* FBS-vs-FCS estimate from the SP+ gap — no per-game model for FCS opponents.
Quarterbacks · 5
2026 · 77
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 1st | Kaidon Salter | SR | 6'1" | 190 | — |
| QB | 2nd | Julian Lewis | FR | 6'1" | 190 | ★★★★ |
| QB | 3rd | Colton Allen | JR | 6'3" | 210 | — |
| QB | 4th | Isaac Wilson← Utah | SO | 6'0" | 212 | ★★★ |
| QB | — | Dominiq Ponder | SO | 6'5" | 200 | — |
Running Backs · 5
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB | 1st | Damian Henderson II← Sacramento State | SO | 6'2" | 210 | ★★★ |
| RB | 2nd | JaQuail Smith← Sacramento State | FR | 5'11" | 171 | ★★★ |
| RB | 3rd | Micah Welch | SO | 5'9" | 215 | ★★★ |
| RB | 4th | Dekalon Taylor | SR | 5'9" | 165 | — |
| RB | 5th | Richard Young← Alabama | SO | 5'11" | 212 | ★★★ |
Wide Receivers · 11
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | 1st | Danny Scudero← San José State | SO | 5'9" | 174 | ★★★ |
| WR | 2nd | Kam Perry← Miami (OH) | JR | 5'9" | 168 | ★★★ |
| WR | 3rd | Ernest Campbell← Sacramento State | FR | 5'9" | 145 | ★★★ |
| WR | 4th | Quentin Gibson | FR | 5'9" | 155 | ★★★★ |
| WR | 5th | DeAndre Moore Jr.← Texas | JR | 6'0" | 192 | ★★★★ |
| WR | 6th | Joseph Williams | SO | 6'2" | 200 | ★★★ |
| WR | 7th | Sincere Brown | SR | 6'5" | 190 | ★★★ |
| WR | 8th | Kaleb Mathis | SO | 5'9" | 155 | — |
| WR | 9th | Hykeem Williams | JR | 6'2" | 220 | — |
| WR | 10th | Quanell Farrakhan Jr. | FR | 6'1" | 180 | ★★★★ |
| WR | 11th | Ronald Coleman | SO | 5'9" | 160 | — |
Tight Ends · 2
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TE | 1st | Zach Atkins | JR | 6'4" | 240 | — |
| TE | — | Fisher Clements← Northern Colorado | — | — | — | ★★★ |
Offensive Line · 5
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OL | — | Mana Taimani | SR | 6'5" | 340 | — |
| OT | — | Taj White← Rutgers | SR | 6'5" | 308 | ★★★ |
| OT | — | Leon Bell← California | JR | 6'8" | 330 | ★★★ |
| OT | — | Bo Hughley← Georgia | SO | 6'7" | 295 | ★★★ |
| OT | — | Jayven Richardson← Missouri | JR | 6'6" | 313 | ★★★ |
Defensive Line · 21
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE | 1st | Keaten Wade | SR | 6'4" | 235 | ★★★★ |
| DE | 2nd | Arden Walker | SR | 6'2" | 250 | ★★★ |
| DE | 3rd | Quency Wiggins | JR | 6'5" | 255 | ★★★★ |
| DE | 4th | Tristan Marois | SR | 6'6" | 240 | — |
| DE | 5th | Nikhil Webb Walker | JR | 6'6" | 275 | — |
| DL | 1st | Ezra Christensen← New Mexico State | SR | 6'2" | 260 | ★★★ |
| DL | 2nd | Dylan Manuel← App State | SO | 6'1" | 300 | ★★★ |
| DL | 3rd | Santana Hopper← Tulane | JR | 6'2" | 265 | ★★★ |
| DL | 4th | Tyler Moore← Coastal Carolina | SO | 6'0" | 297 | ★★★ |
| DL | 5th | Sedrick Smith← Maryland | SO | 6'4" | 321 | ★★★ |
| DL | 6th | Samu Taumanupepe← Baylor | SO | 6'3" | 376 | ★★★ |
| DT | 1st | Anquin Barnes Jr. | SR | 6'5" | 340 | — |
| DT | 2nd | Amari McNeill | SR | 6'4" | 300 | — |
| DT | 3rd | Tavian Coleman | SR | 6'1" | 300 | — |
| DT | 4th | Taurean Carter II | SR | 6'3" | 280 | — |
| EDGE | 1st | Vili Taufatofua← San José State | JR | 6'3" | 259 | ★★★ |
| EDGE | 2nd | Yamil Talib← Charlotte | FR | 6'2" | 240 | ★★★ |
| EDGE | 3rd | Immanuel Ezeogu← James Madison | FR | 6'2" | 240 | ★★★ |
| EDGE | — | Toby Anene← North Dakota State | JR | 6'4" | 259 | ★★★ |
| EDGE | — | Lamont Lester Jr.← Monmouth | — | — | — | ★★★ |
| EDGE | — | Balansama Kamara← Albany | — | — | — | ★★★ |
Linebackers · 8
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LB | 1st | Gideon Lampron← Bowling Green | JR | 6'0" | 220 | ★★★ |
| LB | 2nd | Jeremiah Brown | SR | 6'2" | 235 | ★★★ |
| LB | 3rd | Liona Lefau← Texas | JR | 6'1" | 227 | ★★★★ |
| LB | 4th | Reginald Hughes | SR | 6'2" | 225 | — |
| LB | 5th | Martavius French | SR | 6'2" | 225 | — |
| LB | 6th | Tyler Martinez← New Mexico State | SR | 6'2" | 225 | ★★★ |
| LB | 7th | Kylan Salter | SO | 6'2" | 230 | — |
| LB | 8th | Bo LaPenna | JR | 6'1" | 235 | — |
Defensive Backs · 16
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB | 1st | Preston Hodge | SR | 6'0" | 200 | — |
| CB | 2nd | Emory Floyd← App State | JR | 6'1" | 195 | ★★★ |
| CB | 3rd | Justin Eaglin← James Madison | JR | 6'1" | 175 | ★★★ |
| CB | 4th | Ivan Yates | SR | 6'0" | 170 | — |
| CB | 5th | Makari Vickers | SO | 6'1" | 190 | ★★★★ |
| CB | 6th | RJ Johnson | JR | 6'2" | 185 | — |
| CB | 7th | Jason Stokes Jr.← Utah | FR | 6'1" | 163 | ★★★ |
| CB | 8th | Cree Thomas← Notre Dame | FR | 6'1" | 187 | ★★★ |
| CB | — | Paul Omodia← Lamar | — | — | — | ★★★ |
| S | 1st | Naeten Mitchell← New Mexico State | SO | 5'11" | 175 | ★★★ |
| S | 2nd | Randon Fontenette← Vanderbilt | JR | 6'2" | 220 | ★★★ |
| S | 3rd | Boo Carter← Tennessee | SO | 5'11" | 200 | ★★★★ |
| S | 4th | Ben Finneseth | SR | 6'2" | 205 | — |
| S | 5th | Jaydan Hardy← Oklahoma | SO | 5'10" | 180 | ★★★ |
| S | 6th | Jah Jah Boyd← Indiana | FR | 5'11" | 173 | ★★★ |
| S | 7th | Nathaniel Watson | SO | 5'10" | 180 | — |
Special Teams · 4
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 1st | Kameron Hawkins | SR | 5'11" | 240 | ★★ |
| P | 1st | Damon Greaves | JR | 6'1" | 190 | — |
| PK | 1st | Alejandro Mata | SR | 5'9" | 190 | — |
| PK | 2nd | Buck Buchanan | SR | 5'11" | 185 | ★★★ |
Projected Season
2026 · win prob / game
Exp. Wins
4.5
Exp. Losses
7.5
Toss-ups
3
bars: model win probabilityfav / toss-up / dog
2025 · pct vs FBS
SP+ Off
22.625
Off PPA
+0.0818
Pass PPA
+0.1620
Rush PPA
+0.0422
Success
35%5
Explosive
1.3895
PlayerMedian (50th)percentile vs league
Advanced
2025 · opponent-adjusted PPA / play
| Split | Offense | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | +0.08 | +0.19 |
| Passing | +0.16 | +0.33 |
| Rushing | +0.04 | +0.13 |
| 1st Down | -0.17 | +0.08 |
| 2nd Down | +0.14 | +0.18 |
| 3rd Down | +0.51 | +0.37 |
Scoring Trend
2025 · pts/game
PPG For
20.9
PPG Against
30.5
Differential
-9.6
— Points for— Points against
dots: W / L2025
- Overall
- 3-9
- Home
- 3-4
- Away
- 0-5
- Conference
- 1-8
- Non-Conference
- 2-1
- One-Score (≤8)
- 1-3
- Avg Margin
- -9.6
Situational Splits
2025 · record · pts
| Split | Record | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | |||
| Home | 3-4 | 23.9 | 27.0 |
| Away | 0-5 | 16.8 | 35.4 |
| Competition | |||
| vs Ranked (SP+ 25) | 0-2 | 14.0 | 38.5 |
| Conference | 1-8 | 18.1 | 34.7 |
| Non-conference | 2-1 | 29.3 | 18.0 |
Season History · last 12
0 AP top-10 · 3 postseason
| Season | Record | Conf | SP+ | AP | Post |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3-9 | 1-8 | #96 | — | — |
| 2024 | 9-3 | 7-2 | #39 | #16 | 0-1 |
| 2023 | 4-8 | 1-8 | #81 | #18 | — |
| 2022 | 1-11 | 1-8 | #124 | — | — |
| 2021 | 4-8 | 3-6 | #104 | — | — |
| 2020 | 4-1 | 3-1 | #73 | — | 0-1 |
| 2019 | 5-7 | 3-6 | #81 | — | — |
| 2018 | 5-7 | 2-7 | #79 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5-7 | 2-7 | #64 | — | — |
| 2016 | 10-3 | 8-2 | #53 | — | 0-1 |
| 2015 | 4-9 | 1-8 | #87 | — | — |
| 2014 | 2-10 | 0-9 | #87 | — | — |
Recent Form · last 5
0-5 SU · 1-4 ATS · O3/U2
Betting Profile
2025 · 12 w/ line
| Straight up | 3-9 |
| ATS | 5-742% |
| Over / Under | 5-7 O-U |
| — ATS splits — | |
| As favorite | 2-0 |
| As underdog | 3-7 |
| Home | 4-3 |
| Away | 1-4 |
vs closing line · splits show cover–no cover
Recruiting Classes
avg #53 · 27 blue-chip
■ 5★■ 4★■ 3★129 rated signees
| Class | Natl | Pts | 5★ | 4★ | 3★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | #67 | 193 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| 2025 | #37 | 209 | 0 | 8 | 5 |
| 2024 | #81 | 165 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023 | #29 | 220 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| 2022 | #47 | 192 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2021 | #65 | 167 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2020 | #36 | 203 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| 2019 | #44 | 195 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2018 | #53 | 187 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2017 | #35 | 204 | 0 | 3 | 14 |
247Sports composite · class rank vs all FBS
Roster Talent
2026
Portal in 42net +4Out 38
Portal avg stars (in / out)3.1 / 3.1
Notable Portal Moves
| ▲ | DeAndre Moore Jr. | WR | 4★ | ← Texas |
| ▲ | Boo Carter | S | 4★ | ← Tennessee |
| ▲ | Liona Lefau | LB | 4★ | ← Texas |
| ▲ | Leon Bell | OT | 3★ | ← California |
| ▼ | Jordan Seaton | OT | 5★ | → LSU |
| ▼ | Omarion Miller | WR | 4★ | → Arizona State |
| ▼ | DJ McKinney | CB | 4★ | → Notre Dame |
| ▼ | Dre'lon Miller | WR | 3★ | → Baylor |
returning PPA · portal · talent composite · 2026
Injury Report · 0
No injuries reported.
Team News
20 items
- ESPN matchup predictor projects Colorado football's 2026 recordESPN's matchup predictor forecasts a winner for every Colorado football game in 2026. Buff fans might not be happy with what the model suggests.COLO16h
- Georgia Tech Athlete Caught Talking Trash at Deion Sanders' QB Ahead of Colorado Opener: "Go Get the 13"Colorado Buffaloes 2026 starting quarterback Julian Lewis has been in the news since his controversial comments at the Big 12 Media Day. Now, he makes the headlines again, although for different reasons.
- "It's Terrible": Colorado Alum Sends Strong Message to Deion Sanders Over Julian Lewis' Blunt AssessmentAfter a historic 9-win season in 2024, CU’s offense didn’t show up last year. It was devoid of any rhythm, identity, or explosiveness.
- ESPN analyst says Colorado is 'absolutely not' a playoff contenderHeather Dinich dismissed Colorado's offseason changes and believes the program is still a Big 12 Conference bottom feederCOLO5d
- Brennan Marion makes bold claim about Colorado's offensive lineColorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion believes this could be the best offensive line he has ever coached, praising its size and strength.COLO6d
- Colorado transfer wide receiver earns top-30 recognition from ESPNColorado finally got some respect as DeAndre Moore Jr. landed just outside ESPN's top 25 transfer additions.COLO6d
- ESPN FPI gives Colorado football national title chance in 2026ESPN's Football Power Index ranks the Colorado Buffaloes among the few Big 12 programs with a chance at a national championship in 2026.COLO6d
- "Old School At Heart": Rival Big 12 HC Compares Deion Sanders' Coaching Philosophy To His OwnThe Deion Sanders of today is vastly different from the ‘Prime Time’ who shook up the pros in the early 1990s. In his coach avatar, the Colorado head coach is more like a father figure to his student-athletes.COLO7d
- Deion Sanders changed Colorado's recruiting strategy and it's workingColorado football has built its best high school class under Deion Sanders by recruiting differently, leading to 20 commitments.COLO7d
- ‘Scheduled To Fail’ — College Football Insider Reveals Brutal Disadvantage Facing Deion Sanders’ Colorado BuffaloesColorado coach Deion Sanders is in one of the toughest spots in college football after a disappointing third season in Boulder ended with a woeful 3-9 record. The Buffaloes had seemingly turned a corner after going 9-4 in 2024, but they regressed badly after Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders departed for the NFL.COLO7d
- How Deion Sanders is putting together his best high school recruiting class at ColoradoColorado coach Deion Sanders has assembled his biggest and best high school recruiting class so far for 2027. And he did it in his own unique way.COLO7d
- "Miss Him": Deion Sanders Makes Emotional Promise to 'Honor' Late Colorado QB's 'Legacy'Colorado entered its 2026 spring practice following a tragedy. The Buffs lost their backup QB, Dominiq Ponder, in a fatal car accident just one day before beginning their scrimmage.
- Colorado’s Deion Sanders Predicted to Instantly Regret Bold Playoff ClaimsSelling postseason hope in Boulder gets a lot harder when you’re fresh off a miserable three-win campaign. Yet, true to form, Deion Sanders refused to blink at Big 12 Media Days. When pressed on Colorado’s 2026 trajectory, Sanders kept his mandate incredibly simple: “We better win.”It is a bold proclamation, but ESPN’s Heather Dinich isn’t […] The post Colorado’s Deion Sanders Predicted to Instantly Regret Bold Playoff Claims appeared first on HEAVY.COLO8d
- Colorado shows large financial commitment to NFL experienced coachesColorado added former NFL players Pierson Prioleau and Xavier Adibi to Deion Sanders' staff as the Buffs reshape their defense in 2026.COLO8d
- Did Colorado football opt out of 'College Football 27' over controversy?Okay, let's pump the brakes here.COLO9d
- What Wins and Loses the Game For Houston vs ColoradoHere are all the factors that win and lose the game for Houston vs Colorado.COLO9d
- ‘Losing How He’s Losing’ — Ex-NFL MVP Sounds the Alarm on Deion Sanders’ Colorado FutureThe Colorado Buffaloes are going into the 2026 season with a lot of questions after a difficult 3-9 finish a year ago. They closed the campaign by losing seven of their last eight games, earned only one conference win, and struggled on both sides of the ball.COLO9d
- 5 Colorado Players Houston Fans Need to Know For 2026 MatchupHere are 5 Colorado players Houston fans need to look out for this matchup.COLO10d
- Deion Sanders hires two ex-NFL players to Colorado staff. Here's what they get paidColorado coach Deion Sanders says his new coaching staff is his best ever. It includes two recent hires who played in the NFL. Here's what they make.COLO10d
- “Childhood Dream”: Deion Sanders’ Assistant Coach Gets Emotional as EA Sports Fulfills His Lifelong WishDeion Sanders’ staffer Brennan Marion’s “Go-Go” offense is now playable in EA Sports College Football 27, a childhood dream realized. The Colorado offensive coordinator’s scheme earned a spot in the game’s playbook, sharing his excitement on social media.COLO10d