Colorado football is ranked ahead of Oklahoma, USC, Kansas, and OK State in the upcoming EA Sports College Football 25 video game; that's released July 19 to the masses but on July 15 for those preordering the game.
CBS Sports' Cameron Salerno blamed the Buffs' star power -- specifically of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, who, no, you shouldn't be placing Heisman bets on -- for CU being ahead of the four aforementioned teams.
"When I first saw the team ratings in 'College Football 25,' I was shocked to find Colorado at No. 17," Salerno prefaced before saying, "I don't think it's a massive problem, but I thought Colorado would come in just outside the top 25. The Buffaloes have two of the best players in the sport (Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders), but a majority of the roster is a mystery.
"Colorado lost a large chunk of its roster to the transfer portal this offseason, and there are question marks around Deion Sanders' program (hence why Colorado was picked to finish 11th in the Big 12 preseason poll). Still, we have to remember this is a video game. The Buffaloes' star power has to be factored in to justify ranking Colorado ahead of teams such as Oklahoma, USC, Kansas, Oklahoma State, etc."
Two-way Colorado football star Travis Hunter a featured EA Sports College Football 25 cover athlete
Of course, Travis Hunter's Buffs are rated so highly. The two-way star and former No. 1 overall Class of 2022 recruit is one of the game's featured cover athletes.
Video games do not strictly adhere to real life, and for all we know, Colorado can exceed expectations during the 2024 season. Anything more than four wins is a win, but six wins would fulfill Deion Sanders' Black and Gold game guarantee to CU superfan Peggy Coppom.
Hunter in particular is probably an INT and highlight-reel catch machine in the game and Shedeur is likely one of the game's most accurate passers. It appears EA Sports developers are betting on improvements in the trenches with the notable transfers and Jordan Seaton making way to Boulder.