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Three Major Predictions For Colorado Buffaloes' Third Season Under Deion Sanders

The Colorado Buffaloes' third season under coach Deion Sanders and their second in the new-look Big 12 Conference is about to begin. With fall camp winding down in Boulder, below are three massive predictions for Year 3 of Colorado's "Coach Prime" era.
Jack Carlough|
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes

Year 3 of the coach Deion Sanders era in Boulder is nearly here. In less than two weeks' time, the new-look Colorado Buffaloes will open their 2025 season against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Boulder.

As fall camp winds down, a few things have become clear, including Colorado's desire to run the ball more. The Buffs have yet to name their starting quarterback, but their offensive and defensive lines appear ready to shine and the secondary remains sound.

With the stage now set, below are three major predictions for Colorado's 2025 season:

Omarion Miller Leads Big 12 In Receiving Yards

Major Predictions Colorado Buffaloes Season Deion Sanders Kaidon Salter Julian Lewis DeKalon Taylor Big 12 Football Jordan Se
Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) stays on his feet to score after a tackle attempt from Baylor Bears safety Corey Gordon Jr. (24) during the first half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

After missing the second half of last season with a lower-body injury, wide receiver Omarion Miller is now healthy and appears stronger than ever in fall camp. Miller has shown flashes of his immense talent over the past two seasons, but he'll now get an opportunity to shine fully with Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr. and others now in the NFL.

“I see a totally different man in Omarion now than I saw two years ago when I got here,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said earlier in fall camp. “And I think that’s going to help.”

Miller recorded just over 200 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons at Colorado, including 196 against the USC Trojans in 2023 and 145 against the Kansas State Wildcats last year. Staying healthy and finding consistency will be key for Miller to lead the Big 12 in receiving yards.

Kaidon Salter Thrives In Starting Role

Major Predictions Colorado Buffaloes Season Deion Sanders Kaidon Salter Julian Lewis DeKalon Taylor Big 12 Football Jordan Se
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

"Coach Prime" hasn't announced his decision yet, but all signs point to Liberty Flames transfer Kaidon Salter winning the starting quarterback job over freshman Julian "JuJu" Lewis and Ryan Staub. Salter has proven capable in practice and brings a dual-threat element to Colorado's offense for the first time in years.

If the Buffs can get their run game going around DeKalon Taylor, Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch, Salter has all the talent to thrive. Colorado's offensive line, led by left tackle Jordan Seaton, should also be improved, and the Buffs feature plenty of playmakers on the outside.

MORE: What Colorado Buffaloes' Julian 'JuJu' Lewis, Kaidon Salter Said About Byron Leftwich

MORE: Jerry Jeudy Shares True Feelings On Shedeur Sanders' Cleveland Browns Debut

MORE: Where Colorado Buffaloes Landed In Preseason AP Top 25 College Football Poll

MORE: What Todd Bowles Said About Shilo Sanders' Tampa Bay Buccaneers Debut

Final Record Prediction For 2025 Colorado Buffaloes

Major Predictions Colorado Buffaloes Season Deion Sanders Kaidon Salter Julian Lewis DeKalon Taylor Big 12 Football Jordan Se
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

If strong play in the trenches truly wins games in the Big 12, Colorado should be just fine next season. There's no reason for the Buffs to start any worse than 3-1 with opening games against Georgia Tech, Delaware, Houston and Wyoming, and their remaining Big 12 slate features should-win games against Arizona and West Virginia. From there, Colorado needs only three more wins to reach my final regular season record prediction of 8-4.

"Coach Prime" and the Buffs should land a decent bowl game with eight wins, putting Colorado in position to win its first postseason game since 2004.

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Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

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