Colorado Buffaloes Preview, Predictions & Season Win Total Pick

For years, the Colorado Buffaloes were the laughingstock of the college football world. That is until Deion Sanders took over. The new head coach has reinvigorated the program, bringing in some of the best transfers this offseason and rebuilding the culture. While last year’s 4-8 record ended in disappointment, the Buffaloes are positioned for success heading into their inaugural season as part of the Big 12. 

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Colorado Buffaloes Preview

2023 Record: 4-8 (1-8); Pac-12 Finish: 12th
A.P. Poll: N/A | Coaches Poll: N/A | PFF: N/A | SP+: No. 69
Head Coach: Deion Sanders: 4-8 (1-8) | 2nd Season | Overall: 31-14 (Including 3 Seasons at Jackson State)
Offensive Coordinator: Pat Shurmur (1st Season; 2nd season at Colorado)
Defensive Coordinator: Robert Livingston (1st Year)

Colorado Buffaloes Futures Odds (FanDuel)

National Championship Odds: +30000 | CFB Playoff Odds: N/A
Big 12 Championship Odds: +2500
Regular Season Wins: OVER 5.5 -128 | UNDER 5.5 +104

Colorado Preview: Why You Should Be Bullish

After starting the 2023 season 3-0 and reaching as high as 18th in the AP Poll, the reality of Pac-12 Conference play set in. Colorado lost eight of its next nine games to finish the season 4-8. Consequently, Sanders re-tooled his coaching staff and had an aggressive offseason rebuilding the Buffaloes on both sides of the ball. Established NFL coach Pat Shurmur takes over the offense, bringing in standouts Will Sheppard and LaJohntay Wester to the receivers corps. Combined with a re-tooled offensive line and former Ohio State Buckeyes Sam Hart taking over the tight end position, Colorado has addressed all of its weaknesses on the offensive side of the ball. With Shurmur leading the charge, the Buffaloes are ready to run into 2024.

Colorado Preview: Why You Should Be Bearish

Credit where credit is due: Colorado’s coaching staff worked hard this offseason to address their defensive shortcomings. Still, this is an unproven group that will be tested by some of the top offenses in the country. It’s hard not to focus on their inviting metrics from last season, in which the Buffaloes gave up over 450 yards and nearly 35 points per game. Coupled with their schedule, which pits them against the best the Big 12 has to offer, the Buffs’ defense has something to prove before we all buy. That much is reflected in its season win total, with Colorado expected to narrowly surpass 5.5 wins. 

Colorado Breakout Player: WR Will Sheppard, Senior

Wide receiver Will Sheppard languished for far too long with the Vanderbilt Commodores. Perennially one of the worst teams in the SEC, Sheppard never had a quarterback to maximize his output. But with Shedeur Sanders throwing him the pigskin, we should see Sheppard reach his full potential in his last season of eligibility. Sheppard led the Commodores in targets, receptions, and receiving yards in each of the past two seasons, failing to eclipse 60 receptions or 776 yards in either campaign. Sanders was given the keys to the offense last year, and we saw him turn Xavier Weaver into a star. With all the same skills and a more athletic frame, we could see Sheppard develop into a top-end NFL prospect.

Colorado X-Factor: LB LaVonta Bentley, Senior

One of the few holdovers from last year’s defense, Lavonta Bentley, is crucial to the Buffs’ success in 2024. Bentley was a team leader in every regard in 2023, and he’s expected to take on a more prominent role this season. Bentley led the team in tackles and sacks from his middle linebacker position, tallying 69 and 5.0, respectively. His two pass deflections show an ability to read the coverage effectively, but Bentley was noticeably absent from the forced fumble, fumble recovery, and interception categories. Rounding out his defensive profile and impacting the game at every level is the next step in Bentley’s trajectory. If Colorado’s defense can rally around him, exceeding their modest expectations, the Buffaloes could be on their way to their third bowl game since 2007.

Colorado Schedule Analysis

Colorado must make the most of its early-season schedule to shake free from its three-year bowl-less drought. But even that non-conference schedule is no guarantee. The Buffs open against the North Dakota State Bison before heading out for road matchups against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Colorado State Rams. From there, they enter an unforgiving road conference schedule, taking on five teams currently ranked in the top 25. There are no easy victories in 2024. Colorado’s success depends on their ability to come together quickly and efficiently.

Colorado Prediction: OVER/UNDER 5.5 Wins

The betting market is more confident in the Buffaloes than we are. Juiced up to -128, everyone appears to be piling money on over 5.5 wins; however, that’s created an edge in taking the under. Two wins through the first three weeks might be the best Colorado could hope for to open the year, and we saw how badly this team crumbled in conference play in 2023. Against a similarly daunting Big 12 group, the Buffaloes are destined to fall well short of the .500 mark in conference action again in 2024. Consequently, six wins is too much to ask for in Sanders’s second year as head coach.

ColoradoPreseason Pick

UNDER 5.5 (+104 @ FanDuel Sportsbook)

Colorado Best Bets

Under 5.5 wins +104

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