​The Colorado Buffaloes were ranked No. 10 among Big 12 teams in ESPN’s Football Power Index Rankings, which ESPN released on Thursday. FPI, a metric that assesses a college football team’s potential, places Colorado just behind most of the conference’s elite programs, but one position higher than its initial ranking from last year, when the Buffaloes opened at No. 11. Given Colorado’s 3-9 record last season and the program’s ongoing upheaval—two new coordinators and more than 40 transfers—the ranking isn’t shocking.
According to FPI, Colorado is the No. 45 team in the nation with an expected record of 6.0-6.1 and an FPI rating of 4.5. That win-loss projection aligns closely with the post-spring Big 12 predictions that were circulated earlier. Close to Colorado in the rankings are several notable programs: Wisconsin at No. 43, Arizona State at No. 44, Cincinnati at No. 46, and, notably, Colorado’s season opener opponent, Georgia Tech, at No. 48.
If ESPN’s metrics dictate the trajectory, Colorado would finish the 2026 season at 6-6, with wins projected over Georgia Tech, Weber State, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, and UCF. The Buffaloes would also be expected to suffer losses to Big 12 contenders Texas Tech, Utah, and Houston, in addition to defeats to Arizona State, Kansas State, and Baylor.
Colorado appears positioned to at least improve on its 3-9 mark, with a bowl appearance realistically within reach. A six-win season and a bowl bid would mark a second bowl berth in Deion Sanders’ four-year tenure as head coach. For fans following the Buffaloes closely, this projected trajectory supports cautious optimism about the program’s upward arc in the near term.
This overview reflects ESPN’s FPI interpretation of Colorado’s standing within the conference and nationally. For more ongoing Colorado coverage, follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram. You can also reach out or follow Buffaloes Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like their Facebook page for continued updates, notes, and analysis. This summary draws from Buffaloes Wire’s reporting on ESPN FPI’s mid-range projection for Colorado football within the Big 12.