CU enters a pivotal Year 4 under Sanders
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Deion Sanders. Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images
The hype has cooled, the roster has churned and the Colorado Buffaloes enter the 2026 season with something new for the Coach Prime era: Low expectations.
Why it matters: Year 4 could reveal whether Sanders' nine-win 2024 season was the start of something real or the high-water mark of his CU tenure.
State of play: CU went 3–9 last year, including 1–8 in conference play.
- Sanders enters the season with new offensive and defensive coordinators and 43 incoming transfers after 64 players departed, including star tackle Jordan Seaton.
A poll of Big 12 beat writers picked CU to finish 15th in the 16-team conference. The Buffs didn't receive a single vote in either the preseason AP or coaches polls.
Between the lines: The fan base may be losing faith, too.
- CU's season-ticket renewal rate fell from 98% to 78%, and for the first time since Sanders arrived, the Buffs aren't expected to sell out of season tickets.
- He's signed through 2029 and will be paid $11 million in both 2027 and 2028 and $12 million in 2029, before incentives.
What we're watching:
Good JuJu: Sophomore Julian "JuJu" Lewis is the undisputed offensive leader after the Buffs' ill-fated experiment with transfer Kaidon Salter last year.
- Lewis threw for 589 yards, four TDs and no interceptions after replacing Salter late in the season.
- CU surrounded him with proven portal weapons, led by receivers Danny Scudero, Kam Perry and DeAndre Moore Jr.
- Reality check: The five-star QB recruit is just 18 after entering college a year early.
Buffal-O: New offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, formerly of Sacramento State, will put Lewis in charge of his "Go-Go" offense.
- The scheme uses unusual backfield formations and was once described as "basketball on grass."
- CU has added highly touted former Alabama running back Richard Young, plus two former Sacramento State backs, Damian Henderson II and JaQuail Smith, who know the Go-Go offense.
Defensive stance: New defensive coordinator Chris Marve has a major rebuild on his hands.
- CU returns no full-time defensive starters from a defense that allowed 425.7 yards per game last year.
- Reinforcements include former Tennessee safety Boo Carter and former Texas linebacker Liona Lefau.
The bottom line: For the first time under Sanders, Prime Time comes with a clock.
What's next: The Buffs open Thursday on ESPN at Georgia Tech as 6.5-point underdogs.
- 🐝 Thursday @ Georgia Tech
- 🐈⬛ Sept. 12 vs. Weber State
- 😾 Sept. 19 @ Northwestern
- 🐻 Sept. 26 @ Baylor
- 🔫 Oct. 3 vs. Texas Tech
- 🪶 Oct. 17 vs. Utah
- 🤠 Oct. 24 @ Oklahoma State
- 🐈 Oct. 31 vs. Kansas State
- 😈 Nov. 7 @ Arizona State
- 😾 Nov. 13 vs. Houston
- 🐾 Nov. 21 @ Cincinnati
- 🛡️ Nov. 28 vs. UCF