Unexpected Colorado News Surfaced After AP Top 25 Poll Released
With the college football season kicking off on Aug. 23, fans were able to argue over new rankings on Monday, as the AP announced its preseason top 25 poll.
As it has in the past, the SEC led the way with 10 teams in the rankings, including four teams featured in the top 10. The Big Ten featured six teams in the rankings, with three teams in the top 10, while the Big 12 had four teams in the rankings and the ACC had just three.
Although there were four Big 12 teams in the rankings, one team that had a strong 2024 season not featured was Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes. Despite coming off a 9-4 season in 2024, the Buffs lost two of the best players in college football in quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.
With them off to the NFL, the expectation around college football is for Colorado to take a step back; however, there was a bit of a surprising development when it comes to the Buffs.
Unexpected Colorado AP Poll Development
Despite losing both the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (Sanders) and Heisman Trophy winner (Hunter), the Buffs were one of the teams to receive a vote.
Joined by the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, Colorado was just one of two teams to receive a single vote with programs such as Army (2), Pitt (3) and TCU (4) among others racking up more.
Colorado's Transfer Portal Method Being Put to the Test
According to ESPN, Colorado returns just 50% of its total production from a year ago, with the offensive side of the ball likely seeing plenty of new faces with just 44% of its production returning. The Buffs will be replacing their entire receiving corps, as LaJohntay Wester (Baltimore Ravens) and Jimmy Horn Jr. (Carolina Panthers) joined Hunter in being drafted, while Will Sheppard (Green Bay Packers) was signed as an undrafted free agent.
Colorado is also expected to field just one returning starter on the offensive line in Jordan Seaton, as it brought in nine transfers and a couple more recruits.
Colorado Can Continue Success from 2024, But Will Need to Hit on Transfers
With notable transfer additions such as Liberty Flames quarterback Kaidon Salter and Memphis Tigers offensive lineman Xavier Hill expected to lead the charge for Sanders in 2025, the Buffs do have proven commodities who can come in and play.
With that being said, Sanders' heavy reliance on the transfer portal will be put to the test again. With so much turnover, thanks to the fact that they bring in 30+ transfers per year, it remains to be seen how sustainable this method can be.
In his first two seasons at Colorado, Sanders has gone 13-12, but has shown glimpses of brilliance. With Colorado making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football this offseason, all eyes will be on the Buffs again to see if they were a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come.
Colorado opens the season at home at 8 p.m. ET Aug. 29 with a matchup against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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