If you're refreshing your browser looking for a colorado buffaloes football score today, I have some news that might be a bit of a letdown.
There isn't one.
Today is January 16, 2026. In the world of college football, we are deep in the "dark days" of the winter cycle. The 2025 season is officially in the rearview mirror, and unless you're counting the relentless hum of the transfer portal or the sound of weights clanking in the Dal Ward Athletic Center, things are quiet on the turf.
Honestly, it's a weird time to be a Buffs fan. We just watched a 2025 campaign that didn't exactly set the world on fire. After a 3-9 finish (1-8 in the Big 12), the hype machine has shifted from "Sko Buffs" to "What now?"
The Reality of the 2025 Season Finale
People keep searching for scores because they're used to the Colorado Buffaloes being the center of the universe. But the truth is, the last time the football team took the field for a meaningful snap was November 29, 2025.
They lost to Kansas State 24-14 in Manhattan.
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It wasn't pretty. That loss capped a five-game slide that left Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders with more questions than answers heading into this current offseason. If you were hoping for a bowl game score today, remember that a 3-9 record doesn't get you a ticket to the postseason. While other teams are wrapping up their playoff runs or nursing hangovers from the New Year's Six, Colorado is already pivoting toward the 2026 recruiting class.
The final scores of the 2025 season look like this:
- Nov 29: L, 14-24 @ Kansas State
- Nov 22: L, 17-42 vs. Arizona State
- Nov 8: L, 22-29 @ West Virginia
- Nov 1: L, 17-52 vs. Arizona Arizona
It was a tough run. Basically, the defense struggled to get off the field in November, and the offensive line—despite all the reshuffling—never quite gave the backfield the daylight it needed.
Where is Everyone?
You've probably noticed the roster looks a little different if you've been following the news. The 2025 NFL Draft took a huge chunk of the program's soul. Travis Hunter is gone. Shedeur Sanders is gone.
Those guys aren't just "players" who graduated. They were the identity of the program. Seeing Travis Hunter go No. 2 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Shedeur landing with the Cleveland Browns in the 5th round (per early 2025 draft results) changed the vibe in Boulder instantly.
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Now, the "score" people should be watching isn't on a scoreboard—it's on the 247Sports transfer tracker.
Why the Big 12 is Different Now
Colorado’s return to the Big 12 was supposed to be a homecoming. Instead, it was a gauntlet. Teams like Texas Tech and BYU didn't just beat the Buffs; they out-muscled them. Coach Prime has been vocal about needing "dogs" in the trenches.
If you're looking for a victory today, look at the basketball court. While the football team is conditioning, Tad Boyle’s men’s basketball squad is actually in the thick of it. They just played Cincinnati on Wednesday (a tough 77-68 loss) and are prepping for a massive showdown against West Virginia tomorrow, January 17.
Isaiah Johnson has been a bright spot there, dropping 18 points against the Bearcats. It's funny how the energy shifts. In the fall, Folsom Field is the heart of the city. In January, everyone moves indoors to the CU Events Center.
What to Watch for in the 2026 Season
Since there's no colorado buffaloes football score today, the next best thing is looking at the 2026 schedule outlook. The Big 12 is wide open. With the 12-team playoff becoming the standard, a "good" season can actually lead somewhere now.
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But can Prime rebuild the roster without his sons? That’s the $10 million question.
The focus right now is purely on the 2026 Spring Game. Usually held in late April, that will be the first time we see the "New Look" Buffs. We’re talking about a team that needs to replace 40% of its starting lineup.
- Quarterback Battle: Who takes the torch from Shedeur?
- Offensive Line: Is the portal enough to fix a unit that allowed record sacks?
- Defensive Identity: Can Robert Livingston build a scheme that holds up in the fourth quarter?
Actionable Steps for Buffs Fans
Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season:
- Monitor the Portal Window: The spring transfer window is where the real "score" happens. Watch for veteran offensive linemen entering the portal from SEC or Big Ten schools.
- Follow the Freshman Enrollees: Several 2026 recruits are already on campus as early enrollees. Keep an eye on practice reports starting in February to see who is putting on weight.
- Check the Basketball Standings: If you need a Colorado fix, the Buffs are currently 12-5 overall. Their Big 12 conference play is the most competitive it's been in years.
- Buy Spring Game Tickets Early: If the last two years are any indication, the Spring Game in Boulder will sell out fast, even coming off a losing season.
The scoreboard is blank today, but the work in Boulder hasn't stopped. It’s a transition year, a total rebuild, and quite frankly, the most pivotal moment of the Deion Sanders era.
Keep an eye on the recruiting rankings. That's the only score that matters until August.
Next Steps:
You can stay updated on the latest Colorado roster moves by checking the official CU Buffs Athletics portal. If you're looking for live action this weekend, the Men's Basketball team tips off against West Virginia tomorrow at 6:00 PM.