Analyst expecting Colorado to take minimal step forward in first year back in Big 12

With another new era of college football upon us, 247Sports analyst Brad Crawford shared his first-year expectations for the 13 Power programs that have either switched or joined (SMU to the ACC) Power conferences.

Crawford projected each of those 13 teams’ final record for the 2024 football season, tabbing seven to “advance” and six to “decline” compared to last year. Colorado, which is moving back to the Big 12 after a short stint in the Pac-12, was a team expected to improve, although not by much.

According to Crawford, the Buffs will win only one more game in 2024, improving from 4-8 (1-8 Pac-12) to 5-7 (3-6 Big 12). Here’s some of what Crawford wrote on head coach Deion Sanders’ program:

In terms of overall record, perhaps the Buffaloes are a game or two better than last season’s showing in the Pac-12, so they get the “advance” connotation here with All-American candidates returning on offense. And Deion Sanders remains one of the most polarizing figures in college football. However, Colorado must back up the talk with more wins in 2024, or it will face even harsher criticism.

While 5-7 technically qualifies as an improvement, Coach Prime and his staff have their sights set on a bowl game. Anything less than six wins should be considered a disappointment.

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