CFB Top 50, #41: 2025 Colorado Buffaloes

by
Bracket Yard
July 13, 2025

Now at number 41 in the CFB Top 50 countdown, we visit with the 2025 Colorado Buffaloes, a team undergoing some changes.

The Buffs enter this season with Coach Prime returning to the sidelines, but without two of its most identifiable faces: Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Both are now in the NFL, and when it comes to the former, I think Colorado might be about to learn that it’s not easy to replace a Heisman Trophy winner. With that said, it’s not necessarily that all hope is lost for Colorado this season, but we are about to learn just how good of a coach Deion Sanders really is.

2025 Colorado Buffaloes Basic Facts

Head Coach: Deion Sanders (3rd season)

2025 Conference: Big 12

2024 Record: 9-4 (7-2)

Final Resolution of Last Season: Lost Alamo Bowl

2024 Scoring Offensive Rank: T-30th (32.9)

2024 Scoring Defensive Rank: T-42nd (23.1)

Colorado Key Additions and Subtractions

IN – Hykeem Williams, wide receiver. Transferred from Florida State.

IN – Kaidon Salter, quarterback. Transferred from Liberty.

OUT – Travis Hunter, wide receiver & cornerback and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner. Drafted by Jacksonville in 1st round of 2025 Draft.

OUT – Shedeur Sanders, quarterback. Drafted by Cleveland in 5th round of 2025 Draft.

Best Game on the Schedule in 2025

November 22 vs. Arizona State. This could be a meaningful game for the Buffs if they are floating to the top of the Big 12, and it’s Senior Day. Might be a fun one to watch.

2025 Colorado Buffaloes: Outlook

Coach Prime and company will have some work to do in replacing Hunter and Sanders. Kaidon Salter, who was Liberty’s quarterback, is likely to be the starter for the Buffs, though this is not yet a done deal as of July. He may be a fine player, but he’s probably no Shedeur. As for the wide receiver corps, transfers like Hykeem Williams and Sincere Brown will be of help, but very doubtful any of them are Travis Hunter.

The Colorado defense is stocked with upperclassmen in starting roles. A few of them, like Ole Miss transfer Reginald Hughes, should make an immediate impact. If the offense takes a step backwards this season, it’s going to be on the defense to pick up the slack, and I think they can.

Colorado may or may not get off to a hot start. Georgia Tech might be a decent team this year, so it’s no guarantee. They should beat Delaware, but then Houston might also be decent. What’s potentially worrisome for Colorado is that the late stages of the schedule are pretty tough, including the last few weeks against Arizona State and K-State. The Buffs better hope they don’t need both of those games to stay afloat, because it will be tough to win both.