Three Things We Learned About Colorado Buffaloes Before Facing Utah

The Colorado Buffaloes look as if the period of rest came at a profound time, considering that the schedule gets tougher from here.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks to reporters during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star. | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Things got quieter out of Boulder for the Colorado Buffaloes, which could mean that their 2026 bye week came in good timing,

Colorado needed a big reset. Plus coach Deion Sanders and company need to find where to take this thing from here. Although, Colorado managed to catch some more attention for one bye week move. Which leads off three things we learned.

Colorado Made Media Access Unavailable During Bye Week

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

There are universities that still allow media access during bye weeks. Albeit availabilities are usually more limited.

Colorado chose not to have media availability prior to the Texas Tech loss. And that move once again sparked debates online. Especially with the media still wondering what approach Colorado will take at quarterback.

They want to figure out their quarterback position once and for all, with Sanders making it clear after the Texas Tech loss what's holding back Colorado. They seemingly tried to go about it quietly with this tactic for Isaac Wilson, Julian Lewis and the other passers.

Colorado's FPI is Lower Than Ever for 2026

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the sidelines in the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Without playing a game, Colorado watched its FPI dip even lower.

Now the Buffaloes sit at 15th among the 16 Big 12 teams per the ESPN Football Power Index. Colorado is now at -0.4 and ranks 71st overall, with West Virginia sitting lower than them with a -11 trend and ranking 72nd.

Colorado remains projected to win between 4.1 games or 7.9 amid its 2-3 start. But again, the Buffaloes are coming off their bye week aiming to snap a three-game losing streak. Which includes falling to reigning Big 12 champ and nationally-ranked Texas Tech before the off week.

However, their chances or making a bowl game is now under 15 percent. They also have a zero percent chance to win the conference. Which leads into the third thing we learned.

Colorado Can Potentially Add to Zany Chaos in College Football

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on during a time out in the game against the Utah Utes during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Oct. 2026 showed that no national power is safe from being guaranteed a victory against a team without a ranking. Especially in conference play. Just ask the following teams that fell to unranked foes: Texas and LSU in the SEC, after both fell to Oklahoma and Kentucky, respectively.

Even previously No. 13 ranked Oregon went down in emotional fashion against an upstart No. 21 ranked UCLA squad. All the more reason why Colorado is still not out of joining the shake up going on in college football. As it is, the Buffaloes stunned nationally-ranked Iowa State one year ago around this time.

Oct 3, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks the sidelines in the second quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

But Colorado will need to pull off multiple stunners after the bye. Starting with stunning the No. 11 Utah Utes, now 5-0 after rolling past Kansas. Utah is among three currently ranked teams left on the CU schedule.

Colorado should feel motivated to learn that non-ranked teams like itself are capable of stunning the CFB world. But it all depends on what type of energy Colorado really brings after the bye week.

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