How the Colorado Buffaloes rose from preseason obscurity to a top 25 finish
In short: Entering the 2024 season, experts predicted an 11th-place finish for the Colorado Buffaloes. Yet, led by Deion Sanders, the team defied expectations to become a championship contender and secure a spot in the Alamo Bowl, ultimately reclaiming their place among the nation's elite programs.
The 2024 Colorado Buffaloes season was defined by a dramatic shift in momentum. Before the season began, the Big 12 media preseason poll, released on July 2, 2024, placed the Buffaloes in 11th place. However, under the leadership of second-year head coach Deion Sanders, the team transformed into a legitimate contender for both the Big 12 Championship and the College Football Playoff.
A vital win against Cincinnati on October 26 marked the team's comeback, ensuring they reached bowl eligibility for the first time in a complete season since 2016. This achievement was particularly significant given that the previous instance of bowl eligibility occurred during the shortened 2020 season. Despite their success, the Buffaloes saw their championship aspirations vanish following a loss to Kansas in week 13, combined with tiebreaker wins by Arizona State, BYU, and Iowa State.
The season's standout performer was Travis Hunter, who played both cornerback and wide receiver. His exceptional performance earned him the Heisman Trophy, making him only the second player in Buffaloes history to receive the honor. The season concluded with Colorado accepting an invitation to the Alamo Bowl to face conference rival BYU. Although they lost the matchup 36–14, the Buffaloes finished the year ranked 25th in both the final AP and Coaches polls, marking their first top 25 finish since 2016.
The year also marked a transition in broadcasting history. The team's spring game, held on April 27, 2024, at Folsom Field, was the final Colorado football game ever televised by the Pac-12 Network.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2024 Colorado Buffaloes football team
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