Early preview of Colorado football's 2026 opponents

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With Colorado‘s 2025 season firmly in the rearview mirror and hype already building off the team’s top 25 transfer portal class, the 2026 college football season can’t come fast enough.

That excitement wasn’t squashed by the Buffs’ schedule release on Wednesday, which revealed the team’s opponents and what days we’ll all need to be in front of our televisions. While the season is still over seven months away, it’s never too early to start looking ahead.

Here’s a brief glimpse at all 12 of the Buffs’ opponents for next season.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2025 record: 9-4

Transfer portal ranking: No. 27 in the nation

Georgia Tech was one of the surprises in the college football world last season, sprinting out to a convincing lead in the ACC before folding late. Nevertheless, the Yellow Jackets appear here to stay with another nice portal class headlined by former Michigan running back Justice Haynes. Much of their season will depend on how the offense looks without star quarterback Haynes King. Regardless, they should be a terrific opening opponent and measuring stick for Colorado in 2026.

Weber State Wildcats

2025 record: 4-8

Transfer portal ranking: N/A

Weber State is typically one of the stronger programs in the FCS’s Big Sky Conference, but a disappointing season last year has left them in unfamiliar territory. The Wildcats fired head coach Mickey Mental after three seasons and brought in Eric Kjar, a Utah high school coach. The Buffs should be able to outmuscle the lower-tier opponent as Weber State seeks to find its footing under its new headman.

Northwestern Wildcats

2025 record: 7-6

Transfer portal ranking: No. 44 in the nation

Northwestern turned around a surprisingly competitive 2025 season under head coach David Braun and looks to be going all-in on next season. A quality transfer portal class is outshined by the Wildcats, bringing in former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly as the team’s next offensive coordinator. Kelly will get to work with former top quarterback prospect Aidan Chiles to reinvigorate Northwestern’s program and give Colorado a tough game on the road.

Baylor Bears

2025 record: 5-7

Transfer portal ranking: No. 34 in the nation

Baylor came up short of its aspirations last season, but it’s staying the course with head coach Dave Aranda. The Bears will be a tough test for the Buffaloes, with a dynamic offense led by transfer quarterback DJ Lagway. Many unknowns remain this early after 32 players entered the portal, including star running back Bryson Washington.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

2025 record: 12-2

Transfer portal ranking: No. 8 in the nation

Despite a disappointing performance in the college football playoff, the Texas Tech Red Raiders’ window is showing no signs of closing. The team reloaded in the transfer portal, adding one of the top quarterbacks available, Brendan Sorsby, and several impact players. Colorado does get Texas Tech at home, but that doesn’t make this game any less scary on the schedule.

Utah Utes

2025 record: 11-2

Transfer portal ranking: No. 46 in the nation

The less said about the last time Colorado met Utah, the better. The Utes enter the 2026 season filled with unknowns after head coach Kyle Whittingham stepped down after 20 years at the helm, handing the program to Morgan Scalley. The Buffs will have to try to stop quarterback Byrd Ficklin again and will no doubt be tested by a quality team.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

2025 record: 1-11

Transfer portal ranking: No. 6 in the nation

While Oklahoma State’s 2025 season was abysmal, its offseason has been everything that you could ask for. The Cowboys picked up Eric Morris, an offensive guru from North Texas, who’s gotten stars from the Mean Green like quarterback Drew Mestemaker to follow him. Anytime a team adds over 50 players in the portal, there will be unknowns, but the Cowboys won’t be a cakewalk in 2026.

Kansas State Wildcats

2025 record: 6-6

Transfer portal ranking: No. 40 in the nation

After a rollercoaster season, the Kansas State Wildcats are another team Colorado will face under new management. Following Chris Klieman’s retirement, Kansas State brought in living legend Collin Klein as its next head coach. Klein found success leading Texas A&M’s offense this season and at Kansas State in the past, and he’ll get to lean on Avery Johnson at quarterback next season.

Arizona State Sun Devils

2025 record: 8-5

Transfer portal ranking: No. 14 in the nation

Few teams faced more adversity than the 2025 Arizona State Sun Devils, and Kenny Dillingham went to the portal looking to get back to greatness. He’s done that, adding stars like former Buff Omarion Miller and Colorado State linebacker Owen Long. Quarterback remains a question mark this early on, but Dillingham will surely have his team ready to play come the season’s beginning.

Houston Cougars

2025 record: 10-3

Transfer portal ranking: No. 48 in the nation

Houston shocked a lot of people last season, and so their offseason had to be focused on keeping their pieces in place, rather than finding new ones. So far, the Cougars have been able to do that, holding on to star quarterback Conner Weigman and only having 17 entries into the portal. They’ve added reinforcements in Makhi Hughes and Trent Walker, too, which should give Colorado’s new defense a run for its money.

Cincinnati Bearcats

2025 record: 7-6

Transfer portal ranking: No. 43 in the nation

Cincinnati was another surprise that couldn’t hold its pieces together. On top of losing their star quarterback, Sorsby, they lost two quality wide receivers. While Scott Satterfield has done his part in bringing in 20 transfers, he’ll be rebuilding once again to get the Bearcats back to relevancy in the conference.

UCF Knights

2025 record: 5-7

Transfer portal ranking: No. 62 in the nation

After a season where Scott Frost flipped the UCF roster on its head, he’s back at it, trying to retool an often ineffective offense for 2026. The Knights have grabbed interesting pieces in the portal like former Buff TJ Branch and quarterback Alonza Barnett from James Madison, but it remains to be seen if these changes are enough to turn around a weak roster from a year ago.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football 2026 opponent breakdown

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