Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes will have their work cut out in the 2025 college football season. The odds are stacked against the Buffaloes winning the Big 12 Championship, with Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders no longer in their lineup. Here are five matchups that will give Deion Sanders’ Colorado a hard time in the 2025 season.
5 Football Matchups That Will Give Deion Sanders’ Colorado a Hard Time in 2025 Season
1. Arizona State Sun Devils (Nov. 22)
Colorado’s penultimate game of the regular season will be a tough one as the Buffaloes will face Arizona State at home on Nov. 22. The Sun Devils enter the 2025 season as the reigning Big 12 champions, having beaten the Iowa State Cyclones 45-19 in last year’s title game. Sam Leavitt starred in that contest, completing 12 of 17 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns.
Leavitt returns for his sophomore season with the Sun Devils, who finished last campaign with an 11-3 record, including a 7-2 slate in the Big 12. The Buffaloes have a 4-10 record against the Sun Devils in their previous head-to-head matchups dating back to 2006. Colorado and Arizona State didn’t face each other last year.
2. Kansas State Wildcats (Nov. 29)
The Colorado Buffaloes will be tested in their final game of the 2025 season as they will face the Kansas State Wildcats on the road on Nov. 29. Bookmakers have installed Kansas State as one of the co-favorites to win the Big 12 this year. The Wildcats came close to reaching the College Football Playoff last season, starting the 2024 campaign with a 7-1 record before a 1-3 finish in their last four regular-season games foiled their national title aspirations.
KANSAS STATE RESPONDS TO COLORADO WITH THE 50-YARD TD 🔥
WHAT A DIME FROM AVERY JOHNSON 🎯 pic.twitter.com/jwIMUi96kW
— ESPN (@espn) October 13, 2024
Avery Johnson is back this year for the Wildcats after he produced a stellar campaign in the 2024 season. He completed 217 of 372 passes for 2,712 yards and 25 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He also wreaked havoc on the ground, running for 605 yards and seven scores. The Buffaloes’ defense will need to be at their best to contain Johnson and the Wildcats in their away clash.
3. Utah Utes (Oct. 25)
On Oct. 25, the Colorado Buffaloes will face the Utah Utes, who have also been named a favorite to win the Big 12 this year. The Utes have improved their quarterback situation, signing Devon Dampier through the transfer portal. He recorded 3,933 total yards and 31 total touchdowns last season for New Mexico.
Utah’s entire starting offensive line is also back, including talented tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu. Stopping the Utes on the road won’t be easy for the Buffs.
4. BYU Cougars (Sept. 27)
Deion Sanders knows fully well how difficult a matchup BYU will be. The Buffaloes faced the Cougars last season, with BYU handing Colorado one of its four losses. The Cougars cruised to a 36-14 victory over the Buffs in the Valero Alamo Bowl as they stymied Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.
BYU stamped its class in the opening half, outscoring Colorado 20-0 in the first two quarters. L.J. Martin starred in that contest, running for 93 yards and two scores. He will return this season for BYU.
5. TCU Horned Frogs (Oct. 4)
Colorado will follow that home showdown against BYU with a tricky away matchup against TCU on Oct. 4. The Horned Frogs have one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 in Josh Hoover, who threw for 3,949 yards and 27 touchdowns with 11 picks last season.
The Buffs have a 1-1 record against the Horned Frogs in their previous head-to-head matchups dating back to 2022.
READ MORE:
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