With two games to play, the Colorado football program is in an all-too-familiar position.
There will be no bowl game appearance, as the Buffs (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) are guaranteed to post a losing record for the seventh time in the last nine years.
Following Saturday’s 29-22 loss at West Virginia, which put an end to the bowl hopes, head coach Deion Sanders said the next few weeks will be important, however, as the Buffs prepare for their future.
That starts with a bye this week, followed by a home date against Arizona State on Nov. 22 and a visit to Kansas State on Nov. 29.
“We’ve done a tremendous evaluation,” Sanders said. “I wish we didn’t have a bye because I want to get out, I want to keep working.”
Sanders said the Buffs will likely practice this week through Thursday and then take the weekend off.
“They probably won’t go home because you’re holding them till Thursday, so they’ll still be around,” he said. “But I want to see them study more, prepare more because you’ve got to make some decisions. They’ve got to make some decisions in the off season. Which directions are we going with them; which directions are they going with us. So, that’s tremendous from here on out.”
Of the 102 players on the roster, 33 are in their final year of eligibility. That leaves 69 players that could come back next year, with 23 of those being walk-ons.
Particularly with the 46 scholarship players who could come back, CU – as well as those players – have decisions to make. Under Sanders, the Buffs have been heavily active in the transfer portal.
CU had 57 out-going transfers prior to Sanders’ first season in Boulder, in 2023. A year later, in 2024, there were 41 out-going transfers. This past offseason, there were 33.
Based on that pattern, CU is likely to see perhaps half of those 69 players jump into the transfer portal.
Ultimately, CU could have close to 70 new players in 2026.
Sanders also has some decisions to make with his coaching staff. First and foremost would be a decision on offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, whose contract expires after this season. It was recently reported that Shurmur had offensive play-calling duties removed, in favor of tight ends coach Brett Bartolone.
Over the course of the next few weeks, the Buffs will try to pick up a pair of wins, but do so with an eye to the future.
“It’s really roster management, coach management, understanding what we’re doing going forward,” Sanders said. “But I promise you there’s going to be some changes.”
Non-confirmation
Last week, BuffZone confirmed through a source a report that Bartolone took over as play-caller before the Buffs’ loss to Arizona on Nov. 1. Sanders wouldn’t directly confirm that after Saturday’s game, but said, “Now we have a lot more help in that area.”
CU has averaged just 22.0 points per game this season. While he wouldn’t confirm a change in play-calling duties, Sanders deflected criticism towards Shurmur.
“It’s too easy to try to shoot at Pat and try to shoot at somebody,” he said. “That that’s too easy of a target. It’s not Pat fault. It’s not whatsoever. … We – we – collectively got to do a much better job and let’s start with me.”
Notable
Left tackle Jordan Seaton, who had started his first 22 games with the Buffs, missed the West Virginia game with a leg injury. He was in a walking boot during the game. Sanders said, “I think he’ll be available after the bye. I don’t think he’s going to shut it down whatsoever. I don’t think his injury deserves that or is that particular injury.” … On Monday, the Big 12 announced that CU’s next game, on Nov. 22 against Arizona State, is being held for a six-day selection, which means the game time and TV assignment won’t be announced until Sunday.
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.