Other than those four games, the Buffaloes will need to pull major upsets to win. Colorado has winnable games against both Arizona schools, but those are 50-50 games. As it stands, the Buffaloes will face at least six ranked teams.Ī quick glance at their schedule shows only two games where Colorado will be the favorite - a Week 3 home matchup against Colorado State, then a game against the Stanford Cardinal four weeks later. The Trojans played three ranked teams last season, with Oregon State being a fourth who was ranked by the end of the season. I need to see it all come together before I believe the hype.Ĭolorado’s schedule in 2023 is also far different than USC’s schedule in 2022. These are high-level names, who were able to come in and have a huge impact right away.Īnother important note here, but the Trojans had the foundation of their Joe Moore Award semifinalist offensive line and their best pass rusher already on the roster ( Tuli Tuipulotu) when Riley got there.Ĭolorado has needed the portal to find three of five offensive linemen and its entire defensive line. USC snagged 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison from Pitt and Mario Williams from Oklahoma to catch passes. The Trojans then brought in Travis Dye, who led the Pac-12 in all-purpose yards the previous season.

First, they picked up Caleb Williams, the eventual Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback.

USC’s transfer portal additions were also top notch. The Pac-12 Conference is loaded with outstanding coaches and quarterbacks this season, making Colorado’s quick ascent tougher. He was excellent at Jackson State, but he’s not coached at this type of level before. As much as I love Deion, he is not on the same level, at least not currently. For starters, Riley took his Sooners to three College Football Playoff appearances. However, there are differences between USC’s rebuild and Colorado’s. The Trojans then hired Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma, used the portal to improve the roster and went 11-3 in his first season in Los Angeles. USC was 4-8 in 2021 after firing Clay Helton early in the season. Joel Klatt talked about Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes selling out their first spring game.Ĭolorado fans will point to USC’s 2022 season as a blueprint for success.

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