Following spring practices, head coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes continue to be a hot topic in the world of college football. Despite this, ESPN’s post-spring SP+ rankings still project the Buffs to be average in their second year under Coach Prime. The system uses returning production, recent recruiting, and recent history to determine each program’s ranking based on offense, defense, and special teams.
SP+ is a measure of football efficiency that takes into account tempo and opponent adjustments. It is a predictive measure based on sustainable and predictable aspects of the game. ESPN analyst Bill Connelly uses this system to rank teams early in the offseason, and currently has the Buffs ranked No. 69 out of 134 Football Bowl Subdivision teams, with a -2.5 point differential. The offense is rated at No. 46 with a score of 31.2, while the defense is ranked at No. 105 with a score of 33.6. The special teams are ranked at No. 74 with a score of 0.0.
Due to the inconsistency of Colorado’s offense and defense last season, these rankings are not surprising. With significant roster changes and additions in the offseason, predicting the outcome for the Buffaloes can be challenging. Despite this, they managed to make a significant improvement last season compared to previous rankings.
In the upcoming season, Coach Prime and the Buffs will rely on core players like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter to lead the team to success. With the potential for another big leap in performance this fall, Colorado fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead. Be sure to follow @BuffaloesWire on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and updates on Colorado football.