Is Colorado a Legitimate Big 12 and Playoff Contender? How the Buffs Made Their Comeback

"One thing I can say honestly and candidly: You better get me right now," Sanders said. "This is the worst we're going to be. You better get me right now."

Despite the Buffaloes' 3-0 start, Sanders openly acknowledged that his team wasn't yet ready to compete with the elite of college football. However, it was also a bold warning.

"I know I got on shades," he added. "But I can see the future, and it looks real good."

At that point in the season, with Colorado struggling to keep up with top-tier teams, it was easy to question the feasibility of Sanders' early optimism. The offensive line failed to protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and the defense allowed the third-most points in the Power 5. With an offseason full of staff changes and roster turnover, external expectations were low, as the Buffaloes were predicted to finish 11th in the Big 12 preseason poll.

Yet, on the same day that poll was released, Sanders told ESPN that the idea of Colorado not winning was absurd.

"I'd be an idiot to sit over here and not tell you we plan on winning," he said. "I don't know who sits down and says they don't plan on winning. You got to be an idiot to say that. We definitely plan on winning."

Fast forward to the present, ahead of Saturday’s game against Texas Tech, and Sanders’ vision seems to be coming true. With improvements to both the offensive line and defense, the Buffs are not only much better than last season but are also in contention for the Big 12 title and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.

The defensive turnaround began with Robert Livingston’s hiring as the defensive coordinator in February. While his hiring was unconventional—having never called plays before—Livingston has proved to be the right fit. His approach, similar to Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon’s in 2021, focused on understanding the roster and crafting a defensive strategy based on their strengths rather than sticking to a rigid system.

The result has been a dramatic improvement. After allowing 34.8 points per game last season, Colorado is giving up just 22.0 this year. The defensive unit is led by Travis Hunter, who has been stellar both in pass coverage (leading the team with 2 interceptions and 7 pass breakups) and as a force in the pass rush.

The defense’s ability to lock down in man coverage has complemented the pass rush, with Colorado ranking second in the Big 12 in sacks, first in QB pressures per game, and third in pass breakups.

Meanwhile, the offensive line has undergone a complete overhaul. A year ago, Shedeur Sanders endured 52 sacks, and the running game averaged a dismal 2.21 yards per carry. This season, though, Coach Prime aggressively pursued linemen via the transfer portal, bringing in 12 new players, including nine transfers. While the offensive line still faces challenges—Sanders has been sacked 25 times through eight games—there have been notable improvements, and the trust between the line and quarterback is growing.

The emergence of true freshman left tackle Jordan Seaton, who has allowed just one sack and two QB hits since Week 2, and the incremental improvements in the running game—three 100-yard rushing performances in the last four games compared to just two last season—further demonstrate the progress.

Though the Buffaloes remain a work in progress, their steady improvement, combined with the star power of players like Hunter and Sanders, has cemented their legitimacy as contenders in the Big 12, and no longer a team just "fighting for clicks."