Colorado football predictions 2026: Projecting Deion Sanders' make-or-break season in Year 3

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Colorado football predictions 2026: Projecting Deion Sanders' make-or-break season in Year 3 originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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For Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, 2026 is a crucial year. Although Sanders arrived in Boulder with a 19-2 record across three seasons at Jackson State, his tenure at Colorado has gone poorly.

Through three seasons, he has a 16-21 record, including a 3-9 finish last year and a 1-8 record in the Big 12. He went 4-8 in his first season in 2023. His lone successful year was a 9-4 finish in 2024, when Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter both had career-best seasons.

As Sanders enters his fourth season, he will be coaching to keep his job at Colorado in 2026. Let's take a look at each game on the Buffs' schedule to try to predict just how this season will go for Sanders and company.

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Colorado football predictions 2026

AT Georgia Tech — Loss

How this one goes will likely help define the entire season for Colorado, and we're in for a treat on the first big Thursday night college football game of the season. Colorado won this one last year, 27-20, at home, but now has to face the Yellow Jackets on the road.

Brent Key has made Tech into a consistent winner in Atlanta, but this year he has to break in a new quarterback in Alberto Mendoza. Yes, there's another Mendoza in college football, the younger brother of Indiana and new Las Vegas Raiders franchise quarterback Fernando. Unlike his older brother, Alberto will be playing for Georgia Tech.

Colorado returns quarterback Julian Lewis as well as leading rusher Micah Welch from last season, but the defense is entirely new. I like Mendoza and returning running back Malachi Hosley to win at home, but Colorado keeps it competitive.

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VS. Weber State — Win

Weber State got off to a 1-0 start this season, winning on the road to Northern Colorado thanks to a missed extra point by the Bears that would have forced overtime.

The Wildcats have gone 4-8 the last two seasons, and Colorado will get a bounce back win against lesser competition at home in this one. If this goes the other way though, Sanders could potentially be on the chopping block in a matter of days. 

AT Northwestern — Loss

Colorado historically doesn't do well against Big Ten opponents, with a 3-8 record in the last 11 meetings. Two years ago, the Buffs went on the road and lost to a mediocre Nebraska team 28-10. The Wildcats have Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator, and bring in Michigan State transfer quarterback Aiden Chiles. Northwestern also brings back running back Caleb Komolafe. 

Colorado's defense lost virtually everyone from the unit last year, but brings in a ton of portal players like FCS star Lamont Lester Jr. and Tulane's Santana Hopper. Sanders also hired former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Chris Marve, so the unit should improve. I like the Wildcats at home in this one. 

AT Baylor — Loss

Noticing a trend here? Colorado has a tough travel schedule in September, playing three of its first four games on the road. The Buffs have to go on the road to face a Baylor team that's re-energized with DJ Lagway under center.

After a tough break at Florida, he's expected to drastically improve as he plays in Texas again, where he broke high school records. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda has lost his last three Big 12 openers, but take the Bears at home.

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VS. Texas Tech — Win

Colorado gets a much-needed return to its home stadium this week. Unfortunately for the Buffs, the defending Big 12 champions come to town in what is Homecoming for Colorado.

Colorado has the horses to play well against the Red Raiders, as the Buffs won 41-27 the last time these two played in 2024. But I think Texas Tech is just too talented, and takes over late in the game to spoil Colorado's Homecoming this year. 

VS. Utah — Win

Colorado rebounds and gets a much-needed win here. Yes, the Buffs lost 53-7 last year, but the Utes will take a slight step back without Kyle Whittingham at the helm. The Buffs get this one coming off of a bye, whereas Utah plays Kansas the week before. 

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AT Oklahoma State — Loss

This one might be ugly. Oklahoma State has hired Eric Morris from North Texas, and he brought virtually his entire team with him, including star quarterback Drew Mestemaker. North Texas finished first overall last season in scoring offense, averaging 45 points per game, and OSU is expected to light up opposing defenses this season. 

VS. Kansas State — Win

Kansas State has Collin Klein as its head coach, as the former Wildcat quarterback looks to continue a winning tradition in Manhattan. Colorado is 0-2 against K-State in the last two meetings, but both the last time these two played in Boulder, Sanders' team lost by a field goal. Give me the Buffs in a close one here at home.  

AT Arizona State — Loss

Just one season after making a dream College Football Playoff appearance, the Sun Devils took a step back last year, finishing 8-5. Arizona State won this one 42-17 last season, and going on the road to play in Tempe is a tough task. Colorado can keep this one close for most of it, though.

VS. Houston — Win

Houston is expected to have a breakthrough season as Willie Fritz enters his fourth season. But Colorado gets this one at home, and it'll be a Friday night game on Fox which should enhance the atmosphere. Colorado wins a much-needed close one here.  

AT Cincinnati — Win

Colorado stays hot here and continues to play well, getting the Bearcats with an extra day of rest from playing on Friday. Cincinnati has lost its last four Senior Day games at home, falling to Tulane, Kansas, TCU and BYU at home. The Buffs win a close one to enter the final week of the regular season fighting for bowl eligibility. 

VS. UCF

In UCF's first season running it back with Scott Frost, the Knights finished 5-7. Unfortunately the Knights play in sunny Orlando, Fla., it is likely going to be quite cold in Boulder for this one in late November.

As someone who grew up in Orlando, I can confidently say firsthand we are not built for this. Colorado closes out the season on a high note, giving Sanders a victory to send the Buffs to bowl season. 

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