Colorado football enters the 2026 college football season with major expectations surrounding head coach Deion Sanders. After a disappointing 3-9 campaign in 2025, the Buffaloes need a dramatic turnaround to restore momentum and ease questions about Sanders’ future in Boulder.
Sanders arrived at Colorado after building a 19-2 record at Jackson State. His first three seasons with the Buffaloes, however, have produced mixed results. Colorado went 4-8 in 2023, improved to 9-4 in 2024 and then slipped to 3-9 last season.
That makes 2026 a critical year for Coach Prime.
Colorado Football Begins With a Major Road Test
The season starts with a difficult matchup against Georgia Tech football on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Colorado defeated Georgia Tech 27-20 last season, but the rematch will be played at Georgia Tech, giving the Yellow Jackets the home-field advantage.
Brent Key has established Georgia Tech as a competitive program, and the Yellow Jackets enter this season with Alberto Mendoza taking over at quarterback.
Mendoza is the younger brother of Fernando Mendoza, the former Indiana quarterback who moved toward the NFL after a standout college career.
Colorado will rely on Julian Lewis at quarterback. The Buffaloes also return leading rusher Micah Welch, providing some continuity on offense.
Julian Lewis Becomes a Key Figure
One of the biggest storylines for Colorado football will be Lewis’ development.
The Buffaloes no longer have Shedeur Sanders or Travis Hunter, who both moved on to the NFL. That leaves Lewis and the rest of Colorado’s new-look roster responsible for replacing major production.
Lewis has an opportunity to establish himself as the centerpiece of the program. His performance against Georgia Tech football could provide an early indication of whether Colorado’s offense is ready to take a step forward.
Colorado Has Rebuilt Its Defense
Defense is another major question heading into the season.
Colorado lost most of its defensive personnel from 2025 and used the transfer portal to rebuild the unit. The Buffaloes added players including FCS standout Lamont Lester Jr. and Tulane transfer Santana Hopper.
Sanders also hired former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Chris Marve, who will be tasked with developing the revamped defense.
That unit faces an immediate challenge against Georgia Tech. Playing on the road against a team with an established offensive system could expose any communication or chemistry issues.
A Difficult September Schedule
Colorado’s schedule makes the opening weeks particularly important.
After the Georgia Tech game, the Buffaloes host Weber State on Sept. 12 before traveling to Northwestern on Sept. 19 and Baylor on Sept. 26.
Colorado then hosts Texas Tech on Oct. 3 before facing Utah on Oct. 17 following a bye week.
The schedule becomes especially important because Colorado has several difficult road games. A poor start could put Sanders under significant pressure before the team has a chance to settle into the season.
Colorado Football Projected to Finish 6-6
Based on the supplied preseason projections, Colorado is expected to finish the regular season 6-6.
The projected wins are:
- Weber State
- Utah
- Kansas State
- Houston
- Cincinnati
- UCF
The projected losses are:
- Georgia Tech
- Northwestern
- Baylor
- Texas Tech
- Oklahoma State
- Arizona State
A 6-6 finish would make Colorado bowl eligible, but it would also leave the program searching for a more convincing sign of progress under Sanders.
Deion Sanders’ Job Status Is a Major Storyline
Sanders’ future is one of the biggest issues surrounding Colorado football in 2026.
After leading Colorado to a 9-4 record in 2024, Sanders received a five-year, $54 million contract extension that runs through 2029. His scheduled salary is $10 million in 2026 before increasing to $11 million in 2027 and 2028 and $12 million in 2029.
According to the supplied information, Colorado would owe Sanders 75% of his remaining base salary if the school fired him. If he were dismissed before the end of 2026, that figure would be approximately $25.5 million.
That financial commitment could factor into any decision regarding his future, but another losing season would undoubtedly increase scrutiny.
Can Colorado Turn Things Around?
The Buffaloes have enough talent to be competitive, but several questions need to be answered.
Can Lewis become a reliable starting quarterback? Can the rebuilt defense quickly develop chemistry? And can Colorado win enough road games to survive its demanding schedule?
The opening matchup against Georgia Tech football could provide an early answer.
Colorado won the meeting last season, but repeating that result in Atlanta would give Sanders an important statement victory. A loss would not eliminate the Buffaloes’ chances of reaching a bowl game, but it would immediately increase the pressure heading into the rest of September.
The Bottom Line
Colorado football enters 2026 at a pivotal point in the Deion Sanders era.
The program has experienced both a breakthrough 9-4 season and a major regression to 3-9. With Julian Lewis taking on a larger role, Micah Welch returning in the backfield and a rebuilt defense entering the season, Colorado has plenty of uncertainty surrounding its roster.
The projected 6-6 record would represent a step back toward respectability, but Sanders will likely need more than simply reaching bowl eligibility to silence questions about his future.
It all begins on the road against Georgia Tech football.
A victory would provide Colorado with immediate momentum. A defeat would make the pressure surrounding Sanders even greater as the Buffaloes attempt to find their way back into the Big 12 picture
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