Three Things We Learned About Colorado Buffaloes Before Facing Utah

October 11, 2026

The Colorado Buffaloes entered their bye week with an air of quiet urgency, a strategic move that underscored the program’s need for a reset after a shaky start. Head coach Deion Sanders and his staff opted to limit media access during the break, a decision that sparked debate and highlighted lingering questions about the quarterback position.

The Buffaloes’ struggles at the helm have left Wilson, Lewis, and other passers searching for consistency, while Sanders has openly acknowledged the position as a key hurdle to overcoming their recent slump. The team’s recent form has taken a toll on their standing, with Colorado now ranked 15th in the Big 12 per the ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) at -0.4, a drop that further dimmed their bowl prospects—now under 15%—and eliminated any chance of conference-title contention after a 2-3 start and a loss to Texas Tech.

With the Buffaloes aiming to snap a three-game losing streak in their next matchup, their upcoming clash with Utah carries added intrigue amid a season where even top-ranked teams have fallen to unranked opponents. The trend of upsets in college football, including Texas and LSU’s recent losses, adds to the unpredictability of Colorado’s season, where a potential upset could inject fresh chaos into the Big 12 race.

Sanders’ team now faces the challenge of translating their bye-week adjustments into on-field results, with the quarterback situation and defensive execution under the microscope as they look to reclaim momentum.