Colorado Buffaloes Football: Phil Steele 2025 Forecast

Colorado will look a little different in 2025. No longer the home of Heisman Trophy-winner Travis Hunter and star QB Shedeur Sanders, they’ll have to replace much of their production from last season.

It’s head coach Deion Sanders’ first opportunity coaching the Buffaloes without those two on the roster, as well as another one of his sons, Shilo. Coach Prime said it’s a positive that he won’t have to be a coach and a father at the same time. Still, he’s looking forward to what his new-look Buffaloes can do under the lights.

With the regular season only weeks away, Phil Steele attempted to forecast Colorado’s 2025 season. This includes his outlook on Coach Prime’s offensive and defensive units.

Offense

Steele doesn’t expect Colorado to stray far from the success they experienced in 2024 despite the production loss. However, Deion Sanders addressed some of these losses in the transfer portal. OLs Xavier Hill and Zarian McGill, and WR Joseph Williams are three of their highest-rated additions.

Phil Steele: “In ’22 my computer called for 293 ypg and they had 281 (15.4 ppg, 5th worst in FBS!). In ’23 my computer called for a jump to 25 ppg and 344 ypg and the Buffs topped those by a little at 28 ppg and 364 ypg. Last year in year two with QB Sanders my computer called for 380 ypg and the Buffs put up 383 ypg and 32.9 ppg! This year they lose QB Sanders and their 4 star studded WR’s but won’t have as big a drop off as you would think. I like the OLine and WR replacements.”

Defense

Colorado lost more production on defense than it did on offense. However, Sanders retained and added some key talent to its ranks, specifically in the secondary with CBs Noah King and Teon Parks, as well as S Terrance Love.

Phil Steele: “In ’22 the Buffs allowed 245 ypg rush (6.1), 67% completions with just nine sacks (2.5%) allowing a school-record 510 ypg! In ’23 my computer called for them to allow 37 ppg and 462 ypg and they beat those by a little with 35 ppg and 453 ypg allowed. Sanders brought in another boat load of transfers last year on D (23) and under new DC Robert Livingston they made dramatic strides down to 352 ypg and just 23.1 ppg!

“The 101.4 ypg drop was the best in school history. They led the Big 12 in sacks with 39. They lose 8 starters from last year’s D including the Heisman Trophy winner and probably wont match the sack total or finish as high in the PDR (#18) but this is still a solid defense with a lot of veteran pieces and talent.”

2025 Forecast

Deion Sanders brought in 31 new faces from the NCAA transfer portal, and 14 more from the high school ranks. There are lots of question marks surrounding the Buffaloes this season. However, Phil Steele is hopeful that Colorado can …

Phil Steele: “Over the previous 17 years CU had been to just three bowls and lost them all with their only winning seasons in 2016 & 2020 (4-2). They entered 2023 just 5-21 their last 26 gam 6. Deion Sanders had great success at Jackson St and brought in the best class of transfers in the country but it was basically a brand new team and he was the 4th full-time HC here s/2018.

“… This year they lose their star QB Sanders and Heisman Trophy winning CB and two other draft picks. They face one of the Big 12’s toughest schedules and their Vegas Over/Under is just 6.5 but they remain a talented team and will be better than expected.”