
Where Colorado ranks as a championship contender according to College Football 26
We have dug into everything the game has to offer, from top dynasty rebuilds to the best teams and player ratings.
With dynasty being one of the most popular modes in the game, we have also explored individual ratings for the Colorado Buffaloes and how the program compares to the rest of the Big 12.
If you want to win a title with the Buffs, it would be wise to know the ins and outs of the program, especially what top recruits look for in their school. We've examined CU's campus lifestyle grade and its stadium atmosphere. But with those elite recruits, they often want a chance at a national championship, so our next dynasty deep dive takes us to College Football 26's championship contender grade.
How does Colorado, which lost Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, compare to its Big 12 rivals when it comes to championship likelihood? Let's find out.
What is Colorado's College Football 26 championship contender grade
EA Sports gives the Buffs an "A-" grade, which to some might be a surprise considering the immense roster turnover. The grade is relative to the rest of the country and takes into account both the team's performance in the polls and the overall quality of the roster.
When you first begin a Colorado dynasty save, Colorado's media poll rank is No. 35, and their Bud Elliot blue chip ratio is 16%. Those are the two primary factors that determine the grade.
Colorado's championship contender grade is tied for 12th in the country with Illinois, Texas A&M, Louisville and Clemson.
Where does Colorado's championship contender grade rank within the Big 12
The four and five-star recruits that you will need to land to win a national title likely won't be committing to your program if the contender grade is low. So, where does Colorado's "A-" mark fall among the other Big 12 schools?
These grades are shocking when considered in the context of real life. UCF, with a better national title shot than Utah or Kansas, would not be my prediction heading into the 2025 season. Additionally, Colorado being the only program to receive a grade higher than a "B+" seems like a slight to the players on Arizona State, Kansas State and Utah.
Then again, it's just a video game, but it's fun to see how College Football assigns the various dynasty grades. Based on the above rankings, it sure seems like taking over Colorado would be a wise decision if you are gunning for a championship in Year 1.
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

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