Colorado Buffaloes:

Deion Sanders’ first season at Boulder was must-watch television, but it was hardly successful. After a 3-0 SU/2-1 ATS start, the Buffaloes finished the regular season 1-8 SU/5-3-1 ATS. Expectations within the program are always great, and with 16 starters back, Colorado and Coach Prime could improve on their record in 2024.

Offense

Shedeur Sanders is a first-round talent at quarterback, and as long as he is healthy, this Buffaloes offense is going to be effective. Sanders was the third-highest-graded quarterback by PFF in the Pac-12 (89.4). He completed 68.5% of his passes, totaled 31 touchdowns throwing and rushing combined, and committed just eight turnovers. He was pressured on 37.0% of his dropbacks – some of which was his own doing – and that threatens to be his downfall as a signal-caller.

 

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Still, the offensive line was poor. The group allowed a program record 56 sacks and the running game averaged just 2.3 yards per carry. Sanders hit the transfer portal hard in the offseason, and while only one starter returns, one could make the argument this position group is in much better shape.

Running back went through a similar makeover in the offseason, as the team’s top three rushers from last season are gone. In their place are a litany of transfers, one of which is former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden.

Sanders loses his leading receiver from last season, but bettors can expect Travis Hunter to play a large role at the position once more. Transfers from FAU, TCU and Vanderbilt are in as well, and third-leading receiver Jimmy Horn is back.

Defense

Eight starters return for Colorado on defense by some measures, but that is not necessarily a good thing. The Buffaloes finished 114th in opponent EPA per play. They allowed 6.3 yards per play and 4.7 yards per carry. Only two defenders – Hunter and Shilo Sanders – had a PFF defensive grade over 70!

Coach Prime did take steps to improve this unit. He hired Robert Livingston, a former Cincinnati Bengals secondary coach, to coordinate the defense. Sanders also brought in transfers at each position to bolster the depth. Still, with so much returning from last season, it would be foolish to assume a massive leap in production.

The secondary could see the biggest improvement. Hunter missed three games last season. If he is healthy, he will improve their play. Sanders also landed some solid transfers here, namely former Auburn corner Colton Hood and Arkansas transfer RJ Johnson.

Outlook

The betting public might be strong in its support of Colorado, but the schedule presents some challenges. The Buffaloes play two of their first three on the road. They open with North Dakota State before consecutive rivalry games on the road against Nebraska and Colorado State. In conference play, Colorado must go to UCF, Arizona and Kansas. It hosts Kansas State, Utah and Oklahoma State; the three shortest shots to win the conference. The market is shaded to the Over on 5.5 wins, but that seems like a near-perfect season for Colorado.

Pick: Under 5.5 Wins

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