Colorado Buffaloes Surprise in AP Top 25 Poll Ranking

The Colorado Buffaloes have started the season 2-0 thanks to consecutive victories over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and most recently the Weber State Wildcats. Before Colorado beat Weber State 52-21, the Buffaloes had already received three votes in the AP Top 25 Poll.

By receiving three votes in the week 1 AP Poll, Colorado was effectively ranked No. 40 in the country, close to other programs like James Madison (No. 38) Minnesota (No. 39), Vanderbilt (No. 41), Arizona State (No. 41), and Auburn (No. 41).

In the week 2 AP Poll after Colorado's win over Weber State, however, the Buffaloes did not receive any votes.

ap top 25 poll rankings colorado buffaloes deion sanders big 12 weber state wildcats julian lewis brennan marion chris marve — Sep 12, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) warms up before the game against Weber State at Folsom Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

AP Top 25 Poll Week 2

1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. Notre Dame
4. Indiana
5. Miami
6. Ohio State
7. LSU
8. Ole Miss
9. Texas A&M
10. Alabama
11. BYU
12. USC
13. Texas Tech
14. Penn State
15. Tennessee
16. SMU
17. Utah
18. Iowa
19. Michigan
20. Missouri
21. Oregon
22. Houston
23. Louisville
24. Oklahoma
25. Virginia

The AP Poll is more difficult to predict earlier in the season with less data points available on all teams, but Colorado likely needs a few more wins before the Buffaloes can crack into the official AP Top 25 Poll.

Unexpectedly, Sanders and company lost votes, meaning the Buffaloes are not one of the top-40 teams in the country according to AP voters.

Only the top 25 teams receiving the most votes are actually ranked in the AP Poll, although all votes are revealed when the rankings are updated each week. With three teams tied for No. 41 in the country in week 1, there were 43 teams in the country that received votes in the previous AP Poll.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders' team impressed in the win over Weber State, particularly quarterback Julian Lewis, who finished the contest with 366 passing yards and four touchdowns while completing 17 of 23 passes. Meanwhile, the Buffaloes' ground game also impressed as running back Micah Welch became the first ball carrier to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark in a single game since Sanders arrived in Boulder, Colorado.

A win is a win, but the Buffaloes demonstrated that there is room for improvement. Colorado committed 13 penalties that resulted in 107 free yards for Weber State, and that lack of discipline could end up hurting the Buffs when Big 12 Conference play begins.

After the game, "Coach Prime" shared his opinions on the win, revealing that Colorado's performance against Weber State was not as satisying to the Buffs coach as some would expect.

“We didn't capitalize on offense. We only scored 52 points. We should have been a lot more productive and had a lot more expectations of that productivity. We didn't get done what we wanted to get done. There's no way that we're satisfied with the outcome. We're not. That's just where we are right now,” Sanders said.

If Colorado can continue to improve and develop under offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and defensive coordinator Chris Marve, the Buffaloes may find themselves ranked inside the AP Top 25 sooner rather than later.

Predicting AP Top 25 Poll

1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. Notre Dame
4. Indiana
5. Ohio State
6. Miami
7. LSU
8. Ole Miss
9. Texas A&M
10. Alabama
11. Texas Tech
12. USC
13. BYU
14. Michigan
15. Oklahoma
16. SMU
17. Penn State
18. Tennessee
19. Utah
20. Oklahoma State
21. Washington
22. Iowa
23. Missouri
24. Louisville
25. Oregon

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