What a ride. Seriously. If you followed the Colorado Buffaloes football schedule 2024, you know it wasn't just about the wins or losses. It was a cultural event that basically took over the Big 12.
People thought Deion Sanders was just selling hype after that 4-8 finish in 2023. They were wrong. The Buffs didn't just show up; they competed for a spot in the conference title game until the very end.
Honestly, looking back at the results, the consistency was the most shocking part. They went 9-4 overall. They finished 7-2 in the Big 12. That's a massive jump from where this program was two years ago when they only won a single game.
The Games That Defined the Colorado Buffaloes Football Schedule 2024
The season kicked off with a nail-biter against North Dakota State. I remember watching that game and thinking, "Here we go again." The Bison are an FCS powerhouse, and they made Colorado sweat for a 31-26 win.
Then came the Nebraska game. It was a disaster. A 28-10 loss in Lincoln where Shedeur Sanders was under siege the entire night. People were ready to write the season off right then.
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But then things clicked.
The "Rocky Mountain Showdown" against Colorado State was a statement—a 28-9 win that showed the defense had actually improved. And who could forget the Baylor game? That Hail Mary from Shedeur to LaJohntay Wester to force overtime was pure insanity. They won that one 38-31.
Big 12 Reality Check and Success
Once they got deep into conference play, the schedule got heavy.
- At UCF (W, 48-21): This was maybe their most complete game. Travis Hunter was everywhere.
- Kansas State (L, 28-31): A heartbreaker at Folsom Field. They were right there.
- At Texas Tech (W, 41-27): A tough road environment where they stayed poised.
- Utah (W, 49-24): They absolutely dismantled a team known for physical defense.
The low point was definitely the Kansas game at Arrowhead Stadium. Losing 37-21 effectively ended their chances of making the Big 12 Championship game. It felt like the air went out of the balloon for a second, but they bounced back to shut out Oklahoma State 52-0 on Senior Day.
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The Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders Impact
You can't talk about the Colorado Buffaloes football schedule 2024 without talking about the two guys who will likely be top-five picks in the NFL Draft.
Travis Hunter is a freak of nature. There's no other way to put it. He played nearly 1,400 snaps. He caught 15 touchdowns and had four interceptions. He didn't just win the Heisman Trophy; he won it by a landslide. Watching him transition from a deep threat receiver to a lockdown corner on the very next play is something we might not see again for 50 years.
Shedeur Sanders was the engine. Despite being sacked way too many times—42 to be exact—he still threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns. His 74% completion rate led the nation. He was the most accurate quarterback in the country while playing behind an offensive line that was, at times, a "workplace safety hazard," as some analysts joked.
Breaking Down the Final Standings
The Buffs ended up tied for second in the Big 12 standings but lost out on the tiebreaker for the championship game. Still, finishing No. 25 in the final AP Poll is a huge deal for Boulder.
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The season ended at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. It wasn't the ending fans wanted—a 36-14 loss to BYU—but it didn't take away from the progress made. They proved they belong in the Big 12.
What Most People Get Wrong About 2024
A lot of folks think this was all "Prime Time" fluff. It wasn't.
Coach Robert Livingston, the defensive coordinator, turned a bottom-tier defense into a unit that actually forced turnovers and got stops. They weren't just winning because of star power; they were winning because the coaching staff finally found some balance.
They also fixed the culture. In 2023, they folded when things got tough. In 2024, they won close games against Baylor and Cincinnati. They grew up.
Actionable Takeaways for Buffs Fans
If you're looking ahead after the 2024 season, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Portal: With Shedeur and Travis gone, Coach Prime has to replace the two biggest stars in college football. Expect a massive influx of high-level transfers this spring.
- The O-Line Priority: The biggest lesson from the 2024 schedule was that talent can only take you so far if your QB is getting hit on every dropback. Improving the front five is the only way to take the next step.
- Keep Folsom Field Loud: The home-field advantage was real in 2024. Every home game was a sellout. Maintaining that energy is crucial for recruiting.
- Evaluate the New Stars: Keep an eye on guys like Drelon Miller and Jordan Seaton. These are the foundations for whatever comes next in the Post-Shedeur era.
The colorado buffaloes football schedule 2024 provided a blueprint for how to rebuild a program in the modern age. It wasn't perfect, but it was undeniably successful. Now, the challenge is making sure this wasn't just a one-year flash in the pan.