Colorado may sit in the bottom half of the Big 12 on paper, but that doesn’t mean Houston can treat the Buffaloes like an easy out in 2026.
The biggest reason is Deion Sanders. He’s back for another season, and that alone gives Colorado a level of danger that’s hard to ignore.
Sanders brings decades of football and coaching experience, along with the kind of track record that makes people pay attention. He’s already shown he can develop talent, too.
In 2023, he coached Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Sheduer Sanders, who went on to throw for over 4,000 yards. With five-star quarterback Julian Lewis set to start, Sanders has the kind of coach who can push a young quarterback toward becoming one of the best in the Big 12.
That matters because Colorado’s offense has the ceiling to be the most explosive in the conference. The Buffaloes aren’t built around long, grinding possessions.
They want quick strikes, fast drives and touchdowns in a hurry. Lewis’ arm talent gives them the chance to flip a game with one throw, and that style can put serious pressure on Houston’s secondary.
For the Cougars, that means players like Javion White will need to be ready to help limit the big plays.
The setting only makes things tougher. Houston has to go to Folsom Field in Boulder, where Colorado’s home advantage and familiarity with the altitude could play a major role. Add in a loud crowd, cold weather and the decrease in air quality, and the Buffaloes have a real edge at home.
Colorado still comes with questions. A lot of the roster is inexperienced and still has to prove itself.
The Buffaloes are also below teams like Texas Tech and Utah when it comes to the conference’s top tier. But they can still make life miserable for Houston, the same way teams like UCF and Cincinnati can.
That’s what makes this matchup tricky. Houston has veterans such as Conner Weigman and should be able to win the game. But if the Cougars get careless, Colorado has enough upside to make them pay.
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