ESPN writer shares expectations for Colorado Buffaloes’ 2024 season

From your co-worker at the water jug to Stephen A. Smith on “First Take,” everyone has weighed in on what the Colorado Buffaloes could accomplish in head coach Deion Sanders’ second season.

As Sanders would say, most of those opinions have been “bull junk.” What Coach Prime wouldn’t mention, though, is that there are extreme perspectives in favor of the Buffs too, even if others are predicting another losing season.

In a recent ESPN+ article ( subscription required ) previewing Colorado’s 2024 season, author Bill Connelly offered his take as one of the few national pundits who have remained fairly unbiased regarding the Buffs.

Sure, Connelly shaded Colorado more than he praised. He quickly showed reason for doubt, explaining that star quarterback Shedeur Sanders , two-way sensation Travis Hunter and the rest of the Buffs may not be able to move the needle much in the Big 12 Conference. After all, CU went 4-8 last season and experienced another massive roster overhaul, leading Connelly to offer some undeniable numbers that may make Colorado fans nervous.

Connelly wrote highly about CU’s additions from the transfer portal and to its coaching staff, affirming Coach Prime’s comments that his team has improved since last season. Despite his overall worry, Connelly specifically wrote with a somewhat clear undertone that there are unknowns about the new pickups, indicating that the Buffs could be surprisingly good.

For better or worse, Connelly’s bottom line is that CU’s season opener against the North Dakota State Bison could determine how the rest of the year goes:

ESPN BET lists Colorado as a mere 9-point favorite, and SP+ projects it even closer than that. If the Buffaloes win in a romp (and Shedeur Sanders takes only one or two sacks), that would be a very good sign. And if they go toe-to-toe with a similarly improving Nebraska team in Week 2, that would be an even better sign. The good news about the hype train coming to a stop is that, if it gets going again, it will be because Colorado actually earned it.

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