The 2026 college football season is going to test Colorado early-and often.
With the Big 12 officially releasing its full schedule, the Buffaloes now know exactly what’s ahead. And let’s just say, Deion Sanders and his squad won’t be easing into the year. Three road games in September, eight opponents who played in bowl games last season, and a conference slate that includes some of the league’s heaviest hitters-this is a schedule built to challenge every inch of CU’s depth, development, and resilience.
Non-Conference Warm-Up? Not Exactly.
Colorado kicks off the season on Sept. 5 with a trip to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 9-4 campaign and just missed cracking the final AP Top 25.
It’s the back half of a home-and-home series that started last August, when Georgia Tech edged out the Buffs 27-20 in Boulder. This time, CU will look for payback on the road, but it won’t come easy-Tech’s physical style and defensive speed are no joke.
The Buffs return home on Sept. 12 for their Folsom Field opener against Weber State, a program from the FCS-level Big Sky Conference that finished 4-8 last year. It’s the first-ever meeting between the two schools, and on paper, it’s the lightest lift CU will get all year. But in a season where every rep matters, especially for a team looking to bounce back, this one still carries weight.
Then comes a trip to Evanston on Sept. 19 to face Northwestern. The Wildcats went 7-6 last season and will be breaking in a fully renovated Ryan Field after playing the last two years in a temporary venue.
It’ll be CU’s first visit to Northwestern since 1951 and just the third meeting all-time. The Buffs won big in their last clash back in 1978, but this one will be about handling a Big Ten-style team on the road-never a small task.
Big 12 Play: No Breathers Here
Conference play begins with a Sept. 26 trip to Baylor, a program that’s been busy in the transfer portal-27 new faces and counting. The Bears went 5-7 last season, but with that much roster turnover, they’re a bit of a wild card.
This will be CU’s first game at McLane Stadium, and their first trip to Waco since 2007. The Buffs hold a 10-7 edge in the all-time series, but this one could go either way.
Then comes the real gauntlet.
Texas Tech visits Boulder on Oct. 3, fresh off a 12-2 season, a Big 12 title, and a trip to the College Football Playoff. Ranked No. 7 in the final AP poll, the Red Raiders will bring speed, swagger, and serious firepower to Folsom Field. It’ll be their first game in Boulder since 2010-and a massive early test for CU’s defense.
After a bye week, the Buffs stay home to host Utah on Oct. 17.
The Utes, who finished 11-2 and ranked No. 14, are entering a new era under head coach Morgan Scalley following Kyle Whittingham’s departure to Michigan. Even with the coaching change, Utah’s physical brand of football and deep roster make them a perennial problem.
This will be a rivalry game with real bite.
CU hits the road again on Oct. 24 to face Oklahoma State, a team that went just 1-11 last season. But Stillwater has never been an easy place to play, and this will be the Buffs’ first trip there since 2009.
Then, on Halloween, Kansas State comes to Boulder. Both programs will be under new leadership, making this one a bit of a mystery matchup-but a critical one as CU looks to build momentum heading into November.
The Final Stretch: Road Tests and First-Timers
November opens with a Nov. 7 trip to Arizona State. The Sun Devils, who won the Big 12 in 2024, handled CU easily last year in Boulder, winning 42-17.
But the Buffs have had some success in Tempe lately, winning two of their last three there. This one could swing the tone of the season’s final month.
Houston comes to Folsom on Nov. 14, ranked No. 22 after a 10-3 season. It’s the Cougars’ first-ever visit to Boulder, and the Buffs will be looking to flip the script after falling 36-20 in Houston last year.
Then it’s off to Cincinnati on Nov. 21 for another first-time road trip. CU has faced the Bearcats twice before, including a 34-23 win in Boulder back in 2024. But this will be their first game at Nippert Stadium-a venue that’s known for its tight confines and rowdy atmosphere.
The regular season wraps up at home on Nov. 28 against Central Florida. The Knights, who went 5-7 last year, will make their first trip to Boulder. The Buffs won the only previous meeting, a 48-21 blowout in Orlando during the 2024 season.
A Proving Ground for Coach Prime and the Buffs
For Deion Sanders, now entering his fourth year at the helm in Boulder, this schedule is more than just a list of dates and destinations-it’s a proving ground. After a frustrating 2025 campaign, the Buffs are looking to re-establish their identity and take a real step forward in a reloaded Big 12.
There are no gimmies here. From playoff contenders like Texas Tech and Utah to tricky road games against Baylor, Northwestern, and Arizona State, every week presents a new kind of challenge.
But that’s also the opportunity. If CU can navigate this gauntlet, they’ll earn every bit of respect they’re chasing.
The path is set. Now it’s time to see if the Buffs are ready to walk it.