headtopics
In their recently unveiled 2026 Big 12 preseason power rankings, Athlon Sports slotted the Colorado Buffaloes at No. 14, a position that aligns closely with their conference finish last season when they landed at No. 15. The Buffaloes managed only three wins in 2025, missing a bowl game for the second time in three years under head coach Deion Sanders.
While Coach Prime returns to the sidelines for the upcoming campaign, the roster will look vastly different. Many of the coaches and players from the previous season have departed, and the program has welcomed 43 incoming transfers. This level of turnover brings both uncertainty and potential, as the performance of the new additions remains an unknown factor.
Key Analysis
The transfer class is highlighted by four-star recruits including wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr., linebacker Liona Lefau, and safety Boo Carter. If these players integrate successfully and perform at a high level, Colorado could defy the preseason expectations. However, the No. 14 ranking is deemed fair by many analysts because the team must first prove itself on the field.
New coaching hires, including a defensive coordinator with a track record of success, add another layer of unpredictability. The Buffaloes' odds to win the Big 12 championship stand at +9000, the 14th best in the conference, with Texas Tech favored at -105. This suggests that the market shares Athlon's cautious outlook.
Ultimately, whether Colorado can transform into one of the season's most improved teams or face another disappointing year hinges on how well the new pieces mesh. The upcoming season will reveal if the offseason changes yield positive results or if the program remains in a rebuilding phase.
Originally reported by headtopics.