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If Colorado football intends to bounce back from a miserable 3-9 season, it'll need to run a gauntlet of opponents, at least according to ESPN's latest SP+ rankings.
The rankings, released by writer Bill Connelly, take into account returning production, recruiting and coaching changes, all of which Colorado has struggled with in one regard or another this offseason. For what it's worth, the Buffs slide in at No. 65 in the rankings, making the top half, but slotting in as the second-lowest-rated team in the Big 12 Conference.
That's still a significant improvement for the Buffs, as Connelly quite liked the team's offseason, but it doesn't make the path ahead any easier.
Here are Colorado's 2026 FBS opponents ranked by SP+.
SP+ Ranking: 2.3 (No. 60 overall)
The final opponent of Colorado's 2026 season kicks off this list, with UCF finding itself in the lower half of the Big 12 Conference's rankings. The Knights returned head coach Scott Frost after a rebuilding-focused 5-7 campaign a year ago. UCF was able to land Alonza Barnett III from James Madison to lead the Knights and also added former Buff TJ Branch in the offseason.
SP+ Ranking: 4.5 (No. 51 overall)
Fresh off a disappointing campaign a year ago, the Bears narrowly miss the top 50 after a whirlwind offseason. The Bears bet big on picking up former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway to lead them back to competitiveness on the Big 12 stage. However, all eyes will be on their defense, which gave up over 32 points per game last season.
SP+ Ranking: 4.5 (No. 50 overall)
Cincinnati was the surprise breakout team in the Big 12 last season, earning a spot in the top 25 poll early before coming back down to a 7-6 final record. However, the Bearcats find themselves among the lower-rated teams in the Power 5 after losing stars like quarterback Brendan Sorsby to the transfer portal, who was a key part of their success last season. They were able to bring in two four-star-rated wide receivers, which might help the offense sustain its success with Georgia Southern transfer JC French IV under center.
SP+ Ranking: 4.6 (No. 49 overall)
A new addition to Colorado's out-of-conference schedule, Northwestern is fresh off a promising 7-6 season under head coach David Braun. The Wildcats' two most significant offseason additions came on the offensive side of the ball, with the hope of rebuilding Aidan Chiles into the promising quarterback he looked to be at Oregon State and hiring former National Champion offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to do so. It's a huge bet for the Wildcats, who find themselves in the middle of a packed Big 10.
SP+ Ranking: 6.0 (No. 43 overall)
Colorado's season-opener from a year ago flashed early last season, but the Buffaloes ended the season 9-4, outside the ACC title game. The Yellow Jackets lost their leader, quarterback Haynes King, in the offseason, leaving a massive question mark at quarterback for them to answer before week one. Georgia Tech retained most of its coaching staff and brought in Justice Haynes from Michigan to hopefully steady the ship.
SP+ Ranking: 6.4 (No. 42 overall)
After winning the Big 12, Arizona State found itself in limbo last season, riding the turbulence to an 8-5 season. Much of that had to do with the loss of Sam Leavitt at quarterback, who transferred to LSU this offseason. The Sun Devils kept Kenny Dillingham, a rising star coach, and added quality playmakers like former Buff Omarion Miller. However, questions about the quarterback situation will more than likely keep them outside the top 40.
SP+ Ranking: 7.1 (No. 38 overall)
It might be odd to see a previously 1-11 team so high on the SP+ rankings, but with the addition of head coach Eric Morris, the Cowboys made one of the largest jumps in the rankings. The former North Texas headman pretty much took his entire high-flying offense, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker, to Stillwater for a team that should be far more competitive come September.
SP+ Ranking: 8.2 (No. 36 overall)
Houston's bowl win over LSU capped off a magical season for the Cougars behind quarterback Conner Weigman. Unlike many teams in the Big 12, Houston did not lose any major pieces in the transfer portal, only bringing in quality additions to improve on what they did last year. While the Cougars are outside the top 30, they'll be a frisky team in the Big 12 in 2026.
SP+ Ranking: 10.4 (No. 29 overall)
Kansas State posted a disappointing 6-6 record last year but lost hardly any star players to the transfer portal. The Wildcats kept quarterback Avery Johnson around, who built momentum in the latter half of last season. They come in with the No. 17 offensive SP+ ranking and will look to lean on that heading into next season when they visit Folsom Field.
SP+ Ranking: 11.9 (No. 25 overall)
Following a head-coaching debacle, the Utes have entered a new era with Morgan Sooley taking over the reins from Kyle Whittingham. Soalley was active in the portal, having to replace big names like JJ Buchanan and Smith Snowden. The Utes were able to snag in-state transfer Braden Pegan and his offensive coordinator, Kevin McGiven, from Utah State as support for breakout dual-threat quarterback Byrd Ficklin.
SP+ Ranking: 23.1 (No. 7 overall)
The best team from the Big 12 a year ago is projected to be a contender for the national title once again. The Red Raiders lost several key pieces to the NFL Draft and graduation, but reloaded unlike any team in the conference, including sneaking Sorsby away from Cincinnati. Texas Tech is expected to have a more potent offense than defense, but both are expected to be in the top 15 in the country.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football 2026 schedule ranked by ESPN SP+
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The rankings, released by writer Bill Connelly, take into account returning production, recruiting and coaching changes, all of which Colorado has struggled with in one regard or another this offseason. For what it's worth, the Buffs slide in at No. 65 in the rankings, making the top half, but slotting in as the second-lowest-rated team in the Big 12 Conference.
That's still a significant improvement for the Buffs, as Connelly quite liked the team's offseason, but it doesn't make the path ahead any easier.
Here are Colorado's 2026 FBS opponents ranked by SP+.
11. UCF Knights
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SP+ Ranking: 2.3 (No. 60 overall)
The final opponent of Colorado's 2026 season kicks off this list, with UCF finding itself in the lower half of the Big 12 Conference's rankings. The Knights returned head coach Scott Frost after a rebuilding-focused 5-7 campaign a year ago. UCF was able to land Alonza Barnett III from James Madison to lead the Knights and also added former Buff TJ Branch in the offseason.
10. Baylor Bears
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SP+ Ranking: 4.5 (No. 51 overall)
Fresh off a disappointing campaign a year ago, the Bears narrowly miss the top 50 after a whirlwind offseason. The Bears bet big on picking up former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway to lead them back to competitiveness on the Big 12 stage. However, all eyes will be on their defense, which gave up over 32 points per game last season.
9. Cincinnati Bearcats
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SP+ Ranking: 4.5 (No. 50 overall)
Cincinnati was the surprise breakout team in the Big 12 last season, earning a spot in the top 25 poll early before coming back down to a 7-6 final record. However, the Bearcats find themselves among the lower-rated teams in the Power 5 after losing stars like quarterback Brendan Sorsby to the transfer portal, who was a key part of their success last season. They were able to bring in two four-star-rated wide receivers, which might help the offense sustain its success with Georgia Southern transfer JC French IV under center.
8. Northwestern Wildcats
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SP+ Ranking: 4.6 (No. 49 overall)
A new addition to Colorado's out-of-conference schedule, Northwestern is fresh off a promising 7-6 season under head coach David Braun. The Wildcats' two most significant offseason additions came on the offensive side of the ball, with the hope of rebuilding Aidan Chiles into the promising quarterback he looked to be at Oregon State and hiring former National Champion offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to do so. It's a huge bet for the Wildcats, who find themselves in the middle of a packed Big 10.
7. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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SP+ Ranking: 6.0 (No. 43 overall)
Colorado's season-opener from a year ago flashed early last season, but the Buffaloes ended the season 9-4, outside the ACC title game. The Yellow Jackets lost their leader, quarterback Haynes King, in the offseason, leaving a massive question mark at quarterback for them to answer before week one. Georgia Tech retained most of its coaching staff and brought in Justice Haynes from Michigan to hopefully steady the ship.
6. Arizona State Sun Devils
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SP+ Ranking: 6.4 (No. 42 overall)
After winning the Big 12, Arizona State found itself in limbo last season, riding the turbulence to an 8-5 season. Much of that had to do with the loss of Sam Leavitt at quarterback, who transferred to LSU this offseason. The Sun Devils kept Kenny Dillingham, a rising star coach, and added quality playmakers like former Buff Omarion Miller. However, questions about the quarterback situation will more than likely keep them outside the top 40.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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SP+ Ranking: 7.1 (No. 38 overall)
It might be odd to see a previously 1-11 team so high on the SP+ rankings, but with the addition of head coach Eric Morris, the Cowboys made one of the largest jumps in the rankings. The former North Texas headman pretty much took his entire high-flying offense, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker, to Stillwater for a team that should be far more competitive come September.
4. Houston Cougars
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SP+ Ranking: 8.2 (No. 36 overall)
Houston's bowl win over LSU capped off a magical season for the Cougars behind quarterback Conner Weigman. Unlike many teams in the Big 12, Houston did not lose any major pieces in the transfer portal, only bringing in quality additions to improve on what they did last year. While the Cougars are outside the top 30, they'll be a frisky team in the Big 12 in 2026.
3. Kansas State Wildcats
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SP+ Ranking: 10.4 (No. 29 overall)
Kansas State posted a disappointing 6-6 record last year but lost hardly any star players to the transfer portal. The Wildcats kept quarterback Avery Johnson around, who built momentum in the latter half of last season. They come in with the No. 17 offensive SP+ ranking and will look to lean on that heading into next season when they visit Folsom Field.
2. Utah Utes
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SP+ Ranking: 11.9 (No. 25 overall)
Following a head-coaching debacle, the Utes have entered a new era with Morgan Sooley taking over the reins from Kyle Whittingham. Soalley was active in the portal, having to replace big names like JJ Buchanan and Smith Snowden. The Utes were able to snag in-state transfer Braden Pegan and his offensive coordinator, Kevin McGiven, from Utah State as support for breakout dual-threat quarterback Byrd Ficklin.
1. Texas Tech Red Raiders
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SP+ Ranking: 23.1 (No. 7 overall)
The best team from the Big 12 a year ago is projected to be a contender for the national title once again. The Red Raiders lost several key pieces to the NFL Draft and graduation, but reloaded unlike any team in the conference, including sneaking Sorsby away from Cincinnati. Texas Tech is expected to have a more potent offense than defense, but both are expected to be in the top 15 in the country.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football 2026 schedule ranked by ESPN SP+
Continue reading...
