It’s starting to feel like Colorado Buffaloes football season again, and all signs point to one of the most captivating, emotionally charged, and nationally scrutinized campaigns the program has experienced in years. From the return of head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders to the emotional journey surrounding his health, to the star-studded roster, to the high-profile matchups scheduled throughout the fall, anticipation has reached a boiling point not only in Boulder but across the college football landscape. The Buffaloes are no longer a team observers merely glance at—they are a storyline, a movement, and a symbol of how swiftly college football’s fortunes can change in the transfer portal and NIL era. And this season, the question isn’t just how many games the Buffaloes will win, but how many moments will define a new legacy in Folsom Field and beyond.
Last season was a whirlwind for Colorado. They began the year with enormous fanfare after Coach Prime took over and orchestrated the most talked-about offseason in college football. With his sons, Shedeur Sanders at quarterback and Shilo Sanders at safety, along with former No. 1 recruit Travis Hunter, expectations were sky-high from the jump. The Buffaloes didn’t disappoint out of the gate, starting the season 3-0 and shocking the football world with an upset win over TCU, the previous year’s national title runner-up. Boulder became the epicenter of college football. The Fox Big Noon Kickoff crew and ESPN’s College GameDay both visited in back-to-back weeks, celebrities flooded the sidelines, and ticket prices reached NFL levels. Then reality hit. Depth, injury issues, and a brutal Pac-12 schedule exposed the Buffaloes’ thin roster and uneven line play. They lost eight of their last nine games, finishing 4-8, and missed a bowl game. But even in defeat, Colorado was must-watch television. Their games drew massive viewership numbers, and their storylines—whether triumphant or tragic—were front-page content.
This year, the stakes feel even higher. After an offseason of recalibration, re-recruitment, and rigorous self-reflection, Coach Prime has returned with a new blueprint. The Buffaloes hit the transfer portal again, this time with a more focused approach aimed at building out the trenches. The offensive line was a major weakness last year, leading to Shedeur being one of the most-sacked quarterbacks in the country. That won’t fly this season. Colorado brought in several experienced linemen, including top FCS lineman Tyler Johnson from UAB, and restructured the offensive line coaching setup. Defensively, Colorado also beefed up the front seven, bringing in immediate contributors from major programs who are expected to anchor the run defense. The transformation from flash to substance is in motion. But one thing hasn’t changed: all eyes are on the Buffaloes.
The 2025 schedule is both brutal and thrilling. Every game is a test. Every opponent brings a new storyline. But a few matchups stand above the rest as defining moments for this team. The opening game of the season is a blockbuster, a renewal of a bitter in-state rivalry: Colorado vs. Colorado State. Last year’s game was an overtime thriller that ended with Travis Hunter injured, Shedeur Sanders marching 98 yards in a Heisman-esque drive, and Coach Prime praising his son’s poise in postgame interviews. This time, the Rams come in hungry for revenge, and the Buffaloes will look to assert early dominance and set the tone for the season. It’s not just about rivalry bragging rights—it’s about momentum and making a statement in front of a national audience.
Then, there’s the home showdown against Nebraska, another iconic rivalry that has been reborn with Coach Prime’s arrival. The Huskers are in the midst of their own rebuild under Matt Rhule, and both programs are clawing for national relevance after years of inconsistency. This is a game drenched in history, tradition, and emotion. Boulder will be electric. Folsom Field might tremble. And the outcome could very well shape the trajectory of both teams’ seasons. Last year’s matchup saw Colorado dominate Nebraska in front of a sold-out crowd and millions watching on television. This year, Nebraska will be out for redemption, and Coach Prime will want nothing more than to beat the Big Ten-bound rivals once again.
But perhaps the most anticipated game on the schedule is Colorado vs. Utah. This isn’t just a regional clash—it’s a test of toughness, discipline, and championship-level mettle. Utah has been the gold standard of physicality in the Pac-12 over the last decade. Kyle Whittingham’s teams don’t make mistakes. They punish you. They smother you. They test your will. For Coach Prime, beating Utah would signal that Colorado is ready to sit at the adult table. For Shedeur Sanders, it would be a Heisman-resume-worthy moment. For Travis Hunter, it would be another chance to prove he belongs among the elite two-way players in college football history. And for Buffaloes fans, it could be the culmination of a journey they’ve waited decades to complete—a true return to national prominence.
Of course, the road won’t be smooth. There’s a daunting stretch where Colorado faces USC, Oregon, and Washington—all playoff-caliber opponents loaded with NFL talent. These are games that could turn into track meets or turn into lessons in resilience. But there’s an opportunity here too. Win one of those, and the narrative flips. Win two, and Colorado becomes a national playoff contender. For a program that hasn’t sniffed that conversation in the 21st century, the implications are massive.
But even beyond wins and losses, there’s a deeper layer to why this season matters. This is about legacy. Coach Prime isn’t just building a team—he’s crafting a cultural blueprint. His presence has redefined what’s possible for programs previously left out of the blue-blood conversation. His players speak with confidence, dress with individuality, and perform with flare. They’re unapologetically themselves, and in doing so, they’re challenging the old guard of college football to evolve. That comes with criticism, sure. But it also comes with impact. Recruits are watching. Transfers are watching. Recruits’ parents are watching. When Colorado plays, it’s a cultural event. And that visibility translates to influence, funding, and, ultimately, wins.
Still, nothing will be handed to them. The pressure is on Shedeur Sanders to replicate—or exceed—last year’s magic. He threw for over 3,000 yards and proved he was more than just Coach Prime’s son. This season, with a better offensive line and another offseason under his belt, expectations are sky-high. Some draft analysts already have him as a projected first-round pick. Others think he could vault into top-three territory with another strong year. He has the arm, the poise, and the intangibles. Now he just needs protection and a consistent run game to open up the playbook.
Travis Hunter, meanwhile, might be the most fascinating player in all of college football. A legitimate two-way star, Hunter dazzled fans with circus catches and lockdown coverage. He played over 100 snaps per game at times, something unheard of at the FBS level in this era. But can he maintain that usage rate over a full season? Will his body hold up? And if he does, what are the limits to what he can accomplish? He could be a Heisman finalist. He could be a top-five draft pick. He could be the face of the sport by December.
And don’t forget about Shilo Sanders, one of the emotional leaders of this team. His development as a safety has given the Buffaloes defense a reliable anchor, and his leadership in the locker room is crucial. Then there’s the emerging cast of transfers, freshmen, and returning contributors who will all play critical roles. Players like Dylan Edwards in the backfield, Cormani McClain at corner, and new defensive coordinator Robert Livingston’s schemes will all be under the microscope.
Perhaps the most emotionally charged element of the season, though, is Coach Prime’s health journey. His public battle with blood clots and his recent revelation about being diagnosed with bladder cancer has cast a very human light on the spectacle that is Colorado football. Through it all, Sanders has remained unshakable in his commitment to his players and program. His emotional embrace with CBS Colorado’s Romi Bean after sharing his diagnosis was one of the most moving moments of the offseason. It reminded everyone that beyond the celebrity, beyond the hype, beyond the press conferences and social media clips—there’s a man fighting every day for his life and for his team. That reality adds gravity to every game. Every win means more. Every setback hits deeper. And every success is a triumph not just of sport, but of spirit.
As the season approaches, it’s clear that the 2025 Colorado Buffaloes are more than just a football team. They’re a phenomenon. A symbol of transformation. A case study in how quickly fortunes can change in modern college athletics. And most of all, they’re a story that everyone wants to watch unfold. So when you ask which game fans are most looking forward to, it might be fair to say: all of them. Because every game is a chapter. Every week is a moment. And this season could be the one that defines a generation of Buffaloes football.
