Sports
The Colorado Buffaloes are heading into a pivotal season under Deion Sanders, one defined by change – and scrutiny.
For the first time since Sanders took over in 2023, Colorado will take the field without quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter, both of whom played central roles in the team’s dramatic rise from a one-win squad to a nine-win contender.
Naturally, expectations have been tempered, but one college football insider is preaching patience – and even optimism.
Joel Klatt, a lead college football analyst for Fox Sports, recently appeared on The Herd and shared his view on Colorado’s 2025 outlook. Despite the departure of two of the program’s biggest stars, Klatt believes Sanders‘ team is more equipped than people realize.
Bruce Feldman on Arch Manning’s expectations and Texas outlook | The Herd
“I don’t see them taking a huge step back, maybe a small one,” Klatt said. “They’ve recruited at a very high level, and they’ve brought in a couple of quarterbacks – Kaidon Salter, a quarterback transfer from Liberty. And they also got Julian Lewis, who decommitted from USC.”
Salter, who threw for 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns with just six interceptions at Liberty in 2024, is widely expected to start for Colorado in Week 1. But Klatt emphasized the depth in the quarterback room, noting that Julian Lewis, a five-star freshman and former USC commit, could challenge for playing time if needed.
Depth at quarterback helps, but offensive line remains a concern
While Sanders has built a promising quarterback pipeline, Klatt stressed that Colorado’s true challenge lies up front. The offensive line – a consistent issue in recent seasons – remains an area of uncertainty.
The Buffaloes lost key linemen Zack Owens and Cash Cleveland to the portal this offseason, weakening a unit that already struggled with protection and consistency in 2024.
“Deion has done a really great job, whether it’s been in the portal or in high school, recruiting to try to reload,” Klatt said. “They need to continue to get better at the line of scrimmage.”
One potential bright spot is the arrival of Carde Smith, a four-star offensive tackle with long-term upside. But as with most young linemen, there may be growing pains early in the season – especially against a competitive Big 12 slate.
Colorado finished 9-4 in 2024, including a 7-2 mark in Big 12 play, which placed them fourth in the conference standings. That success, however, came with the stability of Shedeur Sanders at quarterback and Hunter making plays on both sides of the ball. Replacing that kind of production – and leadership – won’t be easy.
Klatt also pointed to the parity in the Big 12 as a major obstacle for Colorado, regardless of their talent level.
“The more difficult part for me, and I know this sounds crazy, even more so than replacing Shedeur and Travis is the Big 12,” he explained. “If you look at what Vegas says… the team they think is worst has an over-under at 5.5 wins, and the best is set at 8.5. That’s a tight window.”
High volatility could define Colorado’s season
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Colorado enters the season with +2500 odds to win the Big 12 Championship and -176 odds to finish under 6.5 wins – highlighting the market’s uncertainty about how Sanders’ new-look team will perform. Klatt noted that the competitiveness of the Big 12 makes outcomes hard to predict.
“Could Colorado be a four-win team? Maybe. Could they be a nine-win team? Maybe,” Klatt said. “This conference is just so deep and bunched together with a lot of quality programs.”
Colorado opens the 2025 season on August 29 against Georgia Tech, a matchup that should offer an early test for the Buffaloes‘ revamped offense and developing offensive line.
While the questions are valid, so too is the foundation Sanders is building. His approach in the transfer portal, high school recruiting, and quarterback development gives Colorado a shot to remain competitive – even as they transition out of the Shedeur-Travis Hunter era.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Jerry Jones Selling Cowboys as Better Without Micah Parsons, But No One’s Buying It
<!--> [--> Ralph Vacchiano NFL Reporter <!--> --> Earlier this week, when rumors started flying that Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys might be headed for a divorce, nobody around the NFL seemed to believe it would actually happen."C’mon," one NFL executive texted me that night, "even Jerry Jones isn’t that crazy."Well …In a stunning, head-scratching, and NFC-rocking moment, the 82-year-old Jones showed just how crazy he is, shipping off his best defensive player to the conference-rival Green Bay Packers in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. And then, with a straight face and his fingers not crossed behind his back, he actually said he did it because he believes it gives the Cowboys "a better chance to be a better team" right now than they’ve been with Parsons — especially if they manage to reach […]
Casagrande indica Cruzeiro com meio-campo acima da média no Brasileirão: “Uma das melhores duplas de volantes”
Lucas Silva em campo pelo Cruzeiro - Foto: Gustavo Aleixo/CruzeiroO Cruzeiro tem tido uma ótima temporada em 2025, está na disputa das quarta de final da Copa do Brasil e na terceira colocação do Campeonato Brasileiro, além de jogar um futebol bonito, envolvente e muito organizado. De acordo com o ex-jogador Walter Casagrande, o segredo para esse desempenho está no meio de campo, mais especificadamente na dupla de volantes formada por Lucas Silva e Lucas Romero. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEEm participação no programa “UOL New Esporte”, do Canal UOL, o comentarista esportivo destacou a dupla de meio-campistas da Raposa e apontou que a qualidade dos dois no passe para os companheiros é fundamental para a engrenagem da equipe celeste, pois dá agilidade na criação das jogadas e deixa os meias e atacantes mais próximos do gol adversário.“O Cruzeiro tem uma das melhores […]
Ruling Court dies after contracting laminitis
Ruling Court, winner of the 2,000 Guineas earlier in the season, has been euthanised following complications due to laminitis, Godolphin have announced.Trained by Charlie Appleby, the Justify colt formed one half of a memorable Guineas weekend for Moulton Paddocks in May, as he saw off top-class rival Field of Gold to scoop Classic honours 24 hours before stablemate Desert Flower repeated the dose in the 1000 Guineas.A tilt at the Derby was scuppered by soft ground on the day at Epsom, but Ruling Court went on to finish third in both the St James' Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and a high-class renewal of the Coral-Eclipse - a run which would be the final outing of a six-race career that also saw him win the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas at Meydan in March.Appleby told www.godolphin.com: "Everyone at Godolphin is deeply saddened […]
Norris sets blistering Zandvoort practice pace in dramatic F1 return
Lando Norris put down a marker in a dramatic first practice at the Dutch Grand Prix as Max Verstappen beached his Red Bull after the session at Zandvoort.Norris trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by just nine points in the standings after winning three of the last four races prior to the summer break and continued where he left off in the last round in Hungary. The British driver set a blistering 1:10.278 to beat Piastri by 0.292s with the McLaren duo a long way ahead of the field on Formula 1's return.Norris, who dominated last year's Dutch Grand Prix, and immediately looked happy with the car's balance as the whole field were keen to complete as many laps as possible on the mediums and softs, given heavy rain is forecast for second practice later on Friday at 3pm UK time, […]
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech prediction, odds: Model reveals top free college football picks for Week 1 on Friday
Getty Images The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will visit the Colorado Buffaloes for a 2025 college football Week 1 showdown on Friday night. Georgia Tech ended its 2024 season 7-6 overall and a disappointing 1-4 on the road, but it will be confident heading into Week 1 with some veteran starters returning this year. The Buffaloes impressed in their first season in the Big 12 with a 9-4 finish, but must now move on without stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders.Kickoff from Folsom Field in Boulder is set for 8 p.m. ET. The Yellow Jackets are 4.5-point favorites in the latest Georgia Tech vs. Colorado odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over-under for total points scored is set at 51.5. Before making any Colorado vs. Georgia Tech picks, make sure you check out the picks from the SportsLine projection model. […]
Ceni crava Luciano Juba, do Bahia, futuro convocado por Ancelotti na seleção brasileira: “Escuta o que estou falando”
Luciano Juba festeja gol em Bahia x Fluminense - Fotos: Letícia Martins/EC BahiaJean Lucas e Luciano Juba foram elogiados por Rogério Ceni após o triunfo do Bahia por 1 a 0 sobre o Fluminense, na Fonte Nova, pelo jogo de ida das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. Convocado para a seleção brasileira, o meio-campista teve participação fundamental no lance que originou o gol do Tricolor marcado pelo camisa 46. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEAlém disso, o treinador do Esquadrão aproveitou para exaltar a evolução do lateral-esquerdo que foi contratado, inicialmente, como um atacante. Em sua visão, é questão de tempo para que Carlo Ancelotti lhe dê uma oportunidade de vestir a amarelinha.“Menino fantástico, com talento, passe, construção. Talvez o jogador que mais cresceu desde nossa chegada, quando ele jogava aberto. Juba tem feito essa função com maestria, ora por dentro, ora […]
Related
Jerry Jones Selling Cowboys as Better Without Micah Parsons, But No One’s Buying It
<!--> [--> Ralph Vacchiano NFL Reporter <!--> --> Earlier this week, when rumors started flying that Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys might be headed for a divorce, nobody around the NFL seemed to believe it would actually happen."C’mon," one NFL executive texted me that night, "even Jerry Jones isn’t that crazy."Well …In a stunning, head-scratching, and NFC-rocking moment, the 82-year-old Jones showed just how crazy he is, shipping off his best defensive player to the conference-rival Green Bay Packers in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. And then, with a straight face and his fingers not crossed behind his back, he actually said he did it because he believes it gives the Cowboys "a better chance to be a better team" right now than they’ve been with Parsons — especially if they manage to reach […]
Casagrande indica Cruzeiro com meio-campo acima da média no Brasileirão: “Uma das melhores duplas de volantes”
Lucas Silva em campo pelo Cruzeiro - Foto: Gustavo Aleixo/CruzeiroO Cruzeiro tem tido uma ótima temporada em 2025, está na disputa das quarta de final da Copa do Brasil e na terceira colocação do Campeonato Brasileiro, além de jogar um futebol bonito, envolvente e muito organizado. De acordo com o ex-jogador Walter Casagrande, o segredo para esse desempenho está no meio de campo, mais especificadamente na dupla de volantes formada por Lucas Silva e Lucas Romero. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEEm participação no programa “UOL New Esporte”, do Canal UOL, o comentarista esportivo destacou a dupla de meio-campistas da Raposa e apontou que a qualidade dos dois no passe para os companheiros é fundamental para a engrenagem da equipe celeste, pois dá agilidade na criação das jogadas e deixa os meias e atacantes mais próximos do gol adversário.“O Cruzeiro tem uma das melhores […]
Ruling Court dies after contracting laminitis
Ruling Court, winner of the 2,000 Guineas earlier in the season, has been euthanised following complications due to laminitis, Godolphin have announced.Trained by Charlie Appleby, the Justify colt formed one half of a memorable Guineas weekend for Moulton Paddocks in May, as he saw off top-class rival Field of Gold to scoop Classic honours 24 hours before stablemate Desert Flower repeated the dose in the 1000 Guineas.A tilt at the Derby was scuppered by soft ground on the day at Epsom, but Ruling Court went on to finish third in both the St James' Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and a high-class renewal of the Coral-Eclipse - a run which would be the final outing of a six-race career that also saw him win the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas at Meydan in March.Appleby told www.godolphin.com: "Everyone at Godolphin is deeply saddened […]
Norris sets blistering Zandvoort practice pace in dramatic F1 return
Lando Norris put down a marker in a dramatic first practice at the Dutch Grand Prix as Max Verstappen beached his Red Bull after the session at Zandvoort.Norris trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by just nine points in the standings after winning three of the last four races prior to the summer break and continued where he left off in the last round in Hungary. The British driver set a blistering 1:10.278 to beat Piastri by 0.292s with the McLaren duo a long way ahead of the field on Formula 1's return.Norris, who dominated last year's Dutch Grand Prix, and immediately looked happy with the car's balance as the whole field were keen to complete as many laps as possible on the mediums and softs, given heavy rain is forecast for second practice later on Friday at 3pm UK time, […]
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech prediction, odds: Model reveals top free college football picks for Week 1 on Friday
Getty Images The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will visit the Colorado Buffaloes for a 2025 college football Week 1 showdown on Friday night. Georgia Tech ended its 2024 season 7-6 overall and a disappointing 1-4 on the road, but it will be confident heading into Week 1 with some veteran starters returning this year. The Buffaloes impressed in their first season in the Big 12 with a 9-4 finish, but must now move on without stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders.Kickoff from Folsom Field in Boulder is set for 8 p.m. ET. The Yellow Jackets are 4.5-point favorites in the latest Georgia Tech vs. Colorado odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over-under for total points scored is set at 51.5. Before making any Colorado vs. Georgia Tech picks, make sure you check out the picks from the SportsLine projection model. […]
Ceni crava Luciano Juba, do Bahia, futuro convocado por Ancelotti na seleção brasileira: “Escuta o que estou falando”
Luciano Juba festeja gol em Bahia x Fluminense - Fotos: Letícia Martins/EC BahiaJean Lucas e Luciano Juba foram elogiados por Rogério Ceni após o triunfo do Bahia por 1 a 0 sobre o Fluminense, na Fonte Nova, pelo jogo de ida das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. Convocado para a seleção brasileira, o meio-campista teve participação fundamental no lance que originou o gol do Tricolor marcado pelo camisa 46. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEAlém disso, o treinador do Esquadrão aproveitou para exaltar a evolução do lateral-esquerdo que foi contratado, inicialmente, como um atacante. Em sua visão, é questão de tempo para que Carlo Ancelotti lhe dê uma oportunidade de vestir a amarelinha.“Menino fantástico, com talento, passe, construção. Talvez o jogador que mais cresceu desde nossa chegada, quando ele jogava aberto. Juba tem feito essa função com maestria, ora por dentro, ora […]
Be the first to leave a comment