Colorados 2025 campaign ended on a sour note as the Buffaloes closed the season with a 2414 loss to Kansas State, finishing 39 overall and 17 in Big 12 competition. Any hope of a bowl appearance vanished weeks earlier, extending the programs drought without a postseason win under head coach Deion Sanders.
Sanders arrival three years ago turned Colorado into one of college footballs most talked-about teams. His debut season offered flashes of promise but ultimately fell short of expectations. Year two brought major improvement a 94 record and a Heisman Trophy winner yet the Buffaloes still fell short of playoff contention. This season, however, marked a significant decline.
After the finale, Sanders addressed reporters and promised sweeping changes on both offense and defense, noting that Colorado ranked among the bottom three Big 12 teams in both yards gained per snap and yards allowed per snap. We wont be back in this position again. I can guarantee that, he said. Im not satisfied with anything right now.
Sanders accepted responsibility for the direction of the program and made clear he remains committed to rebuilding Colorado into a contender. He closed his remarks by reaffirming his confidence in his ability to steer the program forward: You dont need to tiptoe around me. Ive been part of this game my whole life. When I win, Ill take the applause. When I lose, Ill take the boos. I know this game inside and out, and Im built for everything that comes with it.
If anyone is equipped to fix this and get us back on track, its me. And Ill do it if its the last thing I do. Trust me this was the Last Supper.
Colorado spent the year searching for stability after losing star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and reigning Heisman winner Travis Hunter. Nowhere was the struggle clearer than at quarterback, where Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, five-star newcomer Julian Lewis, and veteran Ryan Staub failed to establish a steady starter.
Salter opened the season under center but was benched for Staub in Week 3 before reclaiming the job the following week. His standout performance against then-No. 22 Iowa State was quickly overshadowed by a disappointing outing versus Utah, leading Sanders to hand the reins to Lewis for the remainder of the season until the finale, when Salter returned so Lewis could preserve his 2025 redshirt year.
With Lewis expected to be the long-term cornerstone of the program, Sanders has multiple paths to begin reshaping the roster from staff adjustments to aggressive use of the transfer portal. Modern college football allows teams to reinvent themselves quickly, and with Sanders signed through 2029, Colorado appears ready to give him the time and resources to rebuild.
One thing seems certain: the offseason is likely to feature far less NFL speculation around Sanders than it did a year ago.