Colorado enters 2026 with the kind of setup that can turn a modest projection into something more interesting. The Buffaloes are coming off a 3-9 season, their first year without Shedeur Sanders at quarterback and Travis Hunter on the roster, and FanDuel Sportsbook has their win total at 4.5. That means anything beyond six wins would count as beating the number.
There are real reasons to think Colorado can get there. The biggest one sits under center.
Redshirt freshman Julian Lewis arrives with the kind of résumé that made him a major recruit in the first place. He reclassified to get to college early, and in his final high school season he threw for 3,798 yards, 48 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He saw the field as a true freshman, but 2026 is the year the offense is fully his, and that matters even more with a full offseason working under new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.
Marion is a big part of why the Buffaloes have optimism around the program. Sanders has said this is the best staff he has had at Colorado, and Marion is the headliner.
He spent 2025 at Sacramento State, where the Hornets averaged 33.8 points per game and finished 7-5. Before that, he coordinated the offense at UNLV for two seasons and helped build one of the country’s more productive attacks.
In 2024, the Rebels ranked No. 15 nationally in scoring at 35.4 points per game. In 2023, they were No. 20 at 34.4.
The year before Marion arrived, UNLV averaged 26.3 points per game and ranked No. 76.
Sanders’ own presence also feels different heading into this season. He recovered from bladder cancer in time to coach Colorado through 2025, but the procedure and recovery kept him away from Boulder for some of the spring.
This offseason, he has added new faces to the staff and appears to be more hands-on as 2026 approaches. That spring and summer work matters, because those are the months when teams build their identity.
Colorado seemed short on leadership a year ago, and whether that changes now is a central question.
The roster has been reshaped, too. On offense, transfer receivers DeAndre Moore and Danny Scudero bring immediate attention.
On defense, the additions may matter even more. Chris Marve takes over as defensive coordinator with the job of fixing a unit that gave up 222.5 rushing yards per game, which ranked No. 135 out of 136 teams nationally.
Colorado has also added a defensive line group that should give Marve more options up front. Which transfers become major pieces in that rotation is still to be determined, but linebackers Liona Lefau and Gideon Lampron are expected to hold things together in the middle of the defense.
The Big 12 picture is hazy behind the top tier. Texas Tech and BYU are expected to lead the conference and fight for the title, but the rest of the league has plenty of uncertainty.
Baylor and Arizona State are dealing with new quarterbacks, and Oklahoma State is trying to rebuild quickly. Colorado is not projected to make a big splash, but in a conference with that many unknowns, the Buffaloes have enough moving parts to make their own case.
In Other News...
Colorado Is Taking A Bold New Approach With Its Quarterbacks
Colorados quarterback room is getting a modern assist this fall, with A.J. Smith leaning on virtual reality to add another layer to the teams development work. The Buffaloes are using the technology to give quarterbacks more mental reps without putting more wear on their bodies, pairing the simulated looks with the usual practice and film-study routine as they adjust to Brennan Marions fast-paced offense.
For a group that has to process blitzes, sort through progressions and absorb a new system quickly, the extra work could be especially useful for younger passers such as Julian Lewis. Smith has used similar VR tools before, and Colorado is betting the approach can sharpen preparation in ways that traditional drills alone sometimes cannot, even if the real payoff still has to show up on Saturdays. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Has One Portal Addition Under Serious Fall Camp Pressure
DeAndre Moore Jr. arrives in Boulder with a rsum that makes him one of the more intriguing additions to Colorados receiver room. The Texas transfer brings real production with him after three seasons in Austin, and his move also reconnects him with offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who previously coached and recruited him. In a portal era where roster building is often measured as much by upside as by familiarity, Moore stands out as one of the Buffaloes most notable incoming pieces.
The financial side of the transfer market has only added to the attention around him, since On3s NIL valuations place Moore at the top of Colorados incoming class. For a team trying to sharpen its offensive identity, that kind of profile matters, especially when a player already knows the system and the coach calling the plays. What happens next in camp will go a long way toward showing how quickly Moore can turn that promise into a role the Buffaloes can count on. [Read more 🡒]
Buffs Lock In Ann Elliott Whidden After Colorados Breakthrough Season
Colorados womens lacrosse program will keep its guiding hand in place after a breakthrough run. The University of Colorado Boulder has extended Ann Elliott Whiddens contract through the 2029 season, a move that reflects how far the Buffs have come under the coach who has been there from the beginning and remains the only leader the program has ever known.
Whiddens latest chapter was the most decorated yet, as Colorado delivered a record-setting 2026 season that included the schools first Big 12 tournament title and an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament. Her track record now spans 13 years and a 146-79 mark, with previous coach of the year honors in both the Big 12 and Pac-12, and the new deal gives the Buffs a chance to keep building on the momentum she has created. [Read more 🡒]