The Colorado Buffaloes football program commands significant attention from college football enthusiasts nationwide. With a passionate fanbase and a history of both triumphs and challenges, every season’s schedule is eagerly anticipated. This article will delve into the intricacies of the Colorado football schedule, providing insights into past performances, the upcoming 2025 slate, and addressing the questions that frequently surface among fans online.
Reflecting on the 2024 Season: A Year of Transition and Growth
The 2024 Colorado Buffaloes football season was a year marked by significant changes and a blend of exciting victories and tough losses. Under the leadership of Coach Deion Sanders, the team aimed to establish a new identity and build a foundation for future success.
Key Highlights of the 2024 Schedule and Results:
Non-Conference Battles: The season commenced with non-conference matchups that provided an early gauge of the team’s progress. The Buffaloes faced teams from different conferences, offering varied challenges in terms of playing styles and competition levels. Notably, the opening game against North Dakota State resulted in a 31-26 victory, setting an early positive tone.
Big 12 Conference Play: The majority of the schedule was comprised of crucial Big 12 Conference matchups. These games against familiar rivals held significant weight in determining the Buffaloes’ conference standing and potential bowl eligibility. Victories against teams like Baylor (38-31 in overtime), UCF (48-21), Arizona (34-7), Cincinnati (34-23), Texas Tech (41-27), and Utah (49-24) showcased the team’s offensive firepower and potential.
Tough Road Tests: The schedule included challenging road games against formidable opponents such as Nebraska (10-28 loss) and Kansas (21-37 loss), which tested the team’s resilience and ability to perform in hostile environments.
Alamo Bowl Appearance: The Buffaloes’ 9-4 overall record and 7-3 conference record earned them a spot in the Valero Alamo Bowl, a testament to their successful season. However, they fell to BYU with a score of 14-36 in this postseason contest.
Key Players and Performances: The 2024 season saw standout performances from several key players, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who led the offense, and Travis Hunter, a dynamic two-way player. The contributions of running backs and the receiving corps were also crucial to the team’s offensive output. The defense showed flashes of brilliance, making key stops and turnovers in crucial moments.
The 2024 season provided valuable experience for the Colorado Buffaloes, highlighting areas of strength and areas needing further development as the program continues to evolve under Coach Sanders.
Looking Ahead to 2025: New Challenges and Opportunities in the Big 12
The 2025 Colorado Buffaloes football schedule presents a fresh set of challenges and opportunities as the team aims to build upon the progress made in the previous season. As of May 5, 2025, the schedule has been released, offering fans a glimpse into the upcoming gridiron battles.
Confirmed 2025 Schedule:
August 29 (Friday): vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Folsom Field, Boulder, CO) – A Friday night opener under the lights will provide an exciting start to the season against an ACC opponent.
September 6 (Saturday): vs. Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens (Folsom Field, Boulder, CO) – A home game against an FCS program.
September 12 (Friday): at Houston Cougars (TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX) – The Buffaloes travel to Texas for another Friday night matchup, this time against a Big 12 foe.
September 20 (Saturday): vs. Wyoming Cowboys (Folsom Field, Boulder, CO) – A Mountain West Conference opponent comes to Boulder.
September 27 (Saturday): vs. BYU Cougars (Folsom Field, Boulder, CO) – A Big 12 conference game against a team the Buffaloes faced in the 2024 Alamo Bowl.
October 4 (Saturday): at TCU Horned Frogs (Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX) – A Big 12 road test against a conference opponent.
October 11 (Saturday): vs. Iowa State Cyclones (Folsom Field, Boulder, CO) – Another crucial Big 12 home game.
October 18 (Saturday): Off Week – A mid-season bye week provides a chance for rest and regrouping.
October 25 (Saturday): at Utah Utes (Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT) – A Big 12 road game against a conference rival.
November 1 (Saturday): vs. Arizona Wildcats (Folsom Field, Boulder, CO) – A Big 12 home contest in the month of November.
November 8 (Saturday): at West Virginia Mountaineers (Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WV) – A challenging Big 12 road trip to West Virginia.
November 22 (Saturday): vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (Folsom Field, Boulder, CO) – A late-season Big 12 home game.
November 29 (Saturday): at Kansas State Wildcats (Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS) – The final game of the regular season, a Big 12 matchup on the road.
December 6 (Saturday): Big 12 Championship Game (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX) – If the Buffaloes have a successful season, they could potentially play in the Big 12 Championship game.
Key Observations about the 2025 Schedule:
Seven Home Games: The Buffaloes will play seven games at Folsom Field, providing ample opportunities for the home fans to support the team. This is the first time in 43 seasons that Colorado will host seven home games.
Two Friday Night Games: The schedule features two Friday night contests, against Georgia Tech and Houston, which are expected to draw national attention.
Mix of Conference and Non-Conference Opponents: The non-conference schedule includes matchups against teams from the ACC (Georgia Tech) and the Mountain West (Wyoming), along with an FCS opponent (Delaware).
Big 12 Challenges: The Big 12 schedule is filled with competitive matchups against teams like BYU, TCU, Iowa State, Utah, Arizona, West Virginia, and Kansas State, all vying for conference supremacy.
Balanced Home and Away Slate in Conference Play: The Buffaloes have six home conference games and six away conference games, creating a balanced challenge within the Big 12.
FAQs
How many home games are scheduled for 2025?
The Buffaloes will host seven home games at Folsom Field in 2025, marking the first time since 1982 that the team has had this many home games in a single season.
Who are the key players to watch in the 2025 season?
With the departure of stars like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter to the NFL, the Buffaloes are ushering in a new era. Key players to watch include:
Julian Lewis: A five-star quarterback recruit and the highest-rated QB in CU history.
Jeheim Oatis: A top-ranked defensive lineman transfer from Alabama.
Kaidon Salter: A dynamic quarterback transfer from Liberty, competing for the starting role.
Returning talents: Jordan Seaton (OL), Drelon Miller (WR), Micah Welch (RB), and a seasoned secondary featuring Preston Hodge and DJ McKinney.
Which games are considered major rivalries?
Several matchups stand out due to historical rivalries:
@ Utah (Oct. 25): Known as the “Rumble in the Rockies,” this rivalry dates back to 1903.
@ Kansas State (Nov. 29): A long-standing rivalry with a series history of 67 games.
vs. BYU (Sept. 27): A rematch from the 2024 Alamo Bowl, where BYU defeated Colorado.
Will any games be played on non-Saturday dates?
Yes, two games have been rescheduled to Friday nights:
Aug. 29: vs. Georgia Tech
Sept. 12: @ Houston
These changes are part of the Big 12’s scheduling adjustments.
How can fans purchase tickets for the 2025 season?
Season tickets and individual game tickets can be purchased through the official Colorado Buffaloes athletics website: cubuffs.com. It’s advisable to secure tickets early, especially for high-demand games.
How did the Buffaloes perform in the 2024 season?
Under Coach Deion Sanders, the Buffaloes finished the 2024 season with a 9–4 record, including a 7–2 mark in Big 12 play. They earned a spot in the Alamo Bowl but were defeated by BYU.
What changes have occurred in the coaching staff?
Coach Deion Sanders returns for his third season at the helm. The offensive coordinator is Pat Shurmur, entering his second year, while Robert Livingston joins as the new defensive coordinator, bringing a 4–3 defensive scheme to the team.
To conclude
The 2025 Colorado Buffaloes football season is poised to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With a robust schedule featuring seven home games, the return of Coach Deion Sanders, and a roster infused with top-tier talent, fans have much to look forward to. The blend of historic rivalries and fresh matchups promises thrilling action on the field. As the Buffaloes continue to build on their momentum, the 2025 season could mark a significant step forward in their quest for national prominence.
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