Colorado walked into Big 12 Media Days with the usual Coach Prime confidence, but Phil Steele’s preseason rankings delivered a blunt reminder of where the Buffaloes stand nationally.
Steele slotted Colorado at No. 62 in his 1-to-138 college football rankings, a middle-of-the-pack placement that reflects the uncertainty hanging over the program as it heads toward 2026. The Buffaloes landed behind several Power Four teams and just ahead of Michigan State and Oklahoma State, a position that fits a team coming off a 3-9 season in 2025.
That record came after injuries and quarterback inconsistency kept Colorado from carrying over the momentum it built in 2024. The ranking doesn’t shock anyone, but it does underline the same point Colorado keeps hearing: the Buffs still have to earn their place in the Big 12 conversation.
Sanders, though, isn’t interested in outside perception. At media days, he made the expectation plain.
“We better win,” he said. “That’s going to be the surprise."
He also said he likes the roster, likes the staff and believes the team has the pieces to bounce back. Sanders has called this group his “best coaching staff yet,” and he said his swagger is back after feeling better about the roster and staff than he did a year ago.
The challenge now is turning that belief into production. Colorado finished 3-9 last season and sat near the bottom of the Big 12 in several offensive categories. Even with a different feel around the program, the Buffaloes remain in prove-it territory as camp approaches.
A big part of that turnaround will come down to quarterback play and steadier execution on both sides of the ball. Julian Lewis is expected to be the centerpiece of the offense, and Sanders said he wants patience as the young quarterback develops. New offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and defensive coordinator Chris Marve also give Colorado a fresh look and a more organized plan than it had last fall.
Sanders has been clear about the standard inside the building. He said the program doesn’t care what outsiders think and that the people in the room know exactly who they are. That kind of confidence has become part of the brand in Boulder, but No. 62 shows reputation alone won’t move Colorado up the board.
The opener at Georgia Tech on Sept. 3 will be the first real chance to see whether this team is ready to climb. For now, Steele’s ranking leaves Colorado in a familiar spot: overlooked, questioned and eager to prove it belongs much higher.
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