Deion Sanders and company finished the 2025 season with a disappointing 3-9 record.
They retooled through the transfer portal, completely overhauling the defensive side of the ball.
Now they’re looking to bounce back with new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion calling the plays after adding speed and production to their wide receiver room.
Here’s a way too early look into Colorado’s 2026 opponents.
Week 1: @ Georgia Tech (Saturday, Sept. 5th)
This could be a revenge game for the Buffs, who are in the middle of a home-and-home series with the Yellow Jackets.
Georgia Tech won their first matchup in Boulder behind quarterback Haynes King's dominant rushing performance—he carried the ball 19 times for 156 yards and three touchdowns.
King has moved on, but the Yellow Jackets brought in fresh talent through the transfer portal—most notably former Michigan running back Justice Haynes.
Week 2: vs. Weber State (Saturday, Sept. 12th)
Colorado will likely enter as heavy favorites against a Weber State team that went 4-8 in the Big Sky during the 2025 season.
The Buffs faced Delaware in this matchup last season and experimented with three quarterbacks in a 31-7 win at Folsom Field.
If things are going well for the Buffs in this game, it'll be a good sign to see the backup quarterback getting some action.
Week 3: @ Northwestern (Saturday, Sept. 19th)
Northwestern appears to be one of those Big Ten schools on an upward trajectory.
The Wildcats wrapped up this past season with a 7-6 record, capped off by a dominant 34-7 bowl victory over Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
They snagged a quarterback from the transfer portal—Aidan Chiles out of Michigan State—and brought in Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator.
Week 4: @ Baylor (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
Baylor looks to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 finish in 2025 and made waves during the transfer portal by landing former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway.
This is a solid test for Colorado's revamped defense as they kick off Big 12 play, especially considering Lagway struggled with turnovers in 2025.
Colorado will face former friend Dre'lon Miller, who transferred to Baylor this winter.
Week 5: @ Texas Tech (Saturday, Oct. 3rd)
This is one game I'm confident Deion Sanders and his staff have already circled on their calendar for the 2026 season.
Colorado will host reigning Big 12 champion Texas Tech, and this matchup will reveal just how good the Buffs really are.
Texas Tech has dominated the transfer portal over the past few years, most recently landing Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby as their new signal-caller.
Bye Week: (Saturday, Oct. 10)
This marks Colorado's only bye week for the 2026 season.
Week 6: vs. Utah (Saturday, Oct. 17th)
After spending the first four of five games on the road, Colorado will finally play host to Utah as they look for revenge after getting blown out 53-7 in Salt Lake City in 2025.
With longtime coach Kyle Whittingham now at Michigan, he took some of that talent with him.
The silver lining is that QB Devon Dampier is returning for another year, but the team will need to compensate for the talent they lost.
Week 7: @ Oklahoma State (Saturday, Oct. 24th)
This Oklahoma State football team won't be the laughing stock it was a year ago.
The Cowboys made a splash in the transfer portal by landing a top quarterback in Drew Mestemaker, which helped them secure the No. 6 transfer portal class as of today.
Head coach Eric Morris played a crucial role in landing Mestemaker through the portal, having previously coached him at North Texas.
Week 8: vs. Kansas State (Saturday, Oct. 31st)
Despite losing head coach Chris Klieman to retirement, the Wildcats received some good news that QB Avery Johnson will return to the program in 2026.
Colorado should be well-positioned to avenge their two losses to Kansas State from the past two seasons.
Buffs freshman quarterback Julian Lewis sat out the season finale against Kansas State this past season to preserve his redshirt.
Week 9: @ Arizona State (Saturday, Nov. 7th)
Just like the Texas Tech game, this one will be circled by the coaching staff, players, and Buffs fans alike.
Colorado will face off against former star wide receiver Omarion Miller, who transferred to Arizona State this winter.
After losing Sam Leavitt, head coach Kenny Dillingham hit the portal and landed former Kentucky QB Cutter Boley as they look to bounce back from an injury-riddled year.
Week 10: vs. Houston (Saturday, Nov. 14th) Homecoming
Houston emerged as one of college football's most pleasant surprises during the 2025 season.
Second-year head coach Willie Fritz and quarterback Connor Weigman led the Cougars to a 10-3 record, capping off the season with a bowl victory over LSU.
Colorado should be better prepared this season after starting QB Ryan Staub in last year's loss on the road.
Week 11: @ Cincinnati (Saturday, Nov. 21st)
After losing QB Brendan Sorsby to Texas Tech via the transfer portal, the Bearcats face a significant void to fill at the position.
Cincinnati will turn to Georgia Southern QB transfer JC French IV, who threw for over 5,882 yards with 38 touchdowns and 20 interceptions over the past few years.
If Colorado's defense lives up to expectations, the Buffs should handle business on the road.
Week 12: vs. UCF (Saturday, Nov. 28th)
The Knights faced the same challenge as the Buffaloes this past season: inconsistent quarterback play.
They brought in a pair of quarterbacks through the transfer portal, hoping to solve the problem.
Colorado last met UCF during the 2024 season, dominating the Knights 48-21 as Shedeur Sanders threw three touchdown passes.