Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes are looking to improve on a four-win season in 2023.
They began the year with wins in each of their first three games, including a season-opening win over then-national runner up TCU.
Colorado was ranked in the top 25 after its first three games, but they were given a swift dose of reality in Game 4 against the Oregon Ducks.
The Buffaloes were blown out by Oregon, and proceeded to win only one more game the rest of the season.
Sanders and his staff have worked to address some of the most glaring issues with the team – namely the offensive line – but the oddsmakers don’t have a lot of faith in their ability to make a huge leap.
According to Circa Sports, Colorado will enter each of its four biggest games of the 2024 season as underdogs.
Nebraska is a 5-point favorite in the September 7 matchup against Colorado, while Kansas State is a 6.5-point favorite on October 12.
On November 9, the Buffaloes are 6-point underdogs against Texas Tech, and they’re 5-point underdogs on November 23 against Kansas.
The Pac-12 portion of Colorado’s schedule was particularly difficult last season, with games against several ranked opponents.
On paper, the Big 12 appears to be a weaker conference than last year’s Pac-12, but we’ll have to see how the games play out.
In his second season, Sanders is looking to lead the Buffaloes to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2020. Colorado hasn’t won more than six games in a season since 2010, when they finished 10-4.
Colorado experienced a great deal of roster turnover last season, and had to accommodate a new coaching staff.
With a year of continuity, we’ll find out if familiarity is the answer during the 2024 college football season.
Related: Deion Sanders Reveals Mindset Change Heading Into 2024 Season