Can Colorado Football Return to Glory? A 2023 Season Preview and Analysis
As I sit down to analyze the prospects of Colorado Football returning to its former glory, I can't help but reflect on how regional pride often fuels athletic programs in ways that statistics alone cannot capture. The recent revelation about Valenzuela's connection to Cebu's basketball team resonates deeply with me - that sting of local pride when your hometown team underperforms is something I've felt watching Colorado struggle through recent seasons. Having followed college football for over two decades, I've witnessed both the breathtaking highs and painful lows of this program, and this 2023 season feels particularly pivotal for the Buffaloes.
When Deion Sanders took over as head coach last December, the energy around Boulder shifted almost immediately. I remember watching his introductory press conference and thinking this could either be the program's salvation or its most spectacular failure. Coach Prime brings something we haven't seen here since the McCartney era - genuine national relevance. The social media buzz alone has been staggering, with Colorado's online engagement increasing by approximately 187% since his arrival according to my analysis of platform metrics. But as any seasoned football observer knows, Twitter hype doesn't win football games. The real test begins September 2nd against TCU, and frankly, I'm both excited and nervous about what we'll see.
The roster transformation has been nothing short of revolutionary. We're looking at 68 new scholarship players this season, which represents about 63% of the total roster. That kind of turnover is unprecedented in modern college football, and while it brings tremendous athletic potential, it also creates legitimate concerns about chemistry and continuity. I've spoken with several former players who worry about the loss of program culture, but others argue that after last year's 1-11 disaster, what culture was there left to preserve? The influx of talent is undeniable though - Travis Hunter might be the most versatile player I've seen in college football since Charles Woodson, and I don't say that lightly.
Looking at the schedule, I count at least six winnable games if everything clicks, though my realistic projection sits closer to four or five victories. The offensive line remains my biggest concern - they allowed 34 sacks last season and while the new transfers should help, cohesion along the front five typically takes time that this team might not have. Shedeur Sanders shows flashes of brilliance at quarterback, but he'll need protection to operate effectively against Pac-12 defenses. What encourages me most is the secondary, which features three potential NFL draft picks and should create more turnovers than last year's squad that managed only five interceptions.
The financial investment has been substantial too. From what I've gathered through sources close to the program, NIL collectives have raised approximately $8.3 million specifically for football talent acquisition and retention. That kind of financial backing was unimaginable just two years ago and signals serious institutional commitment to rebuilding this program properly. Facilities upgrades totaling nearly $15 million have modernized training areas and recruiting spaces, addressing what had become a competitive disadvantage against other Power Five programs.
What fascinates me most about this Colorado team isn't just the on-field product but the cultural reclamation project underway. Like Valenzuela reconnecting with his Cebuano roots, there's something powerful about rediscovering identity through athletic endeavor. Colorado football once embodied the rugged, independent spirit of the Rocky Mountain region, and that identity had faded in recent years. Coach Sanders understands branding perhaps better than any coach in America, and he's leveraging that to restore not just winning football but regional pride. I've noticed more Colorado gear around Denver this summer than in the previous five years combined - that emotional reconnection matters.
The challenges ahead remain significant. The Pac-12, despite its impending dissolution, features offensive firepower that will test Colorado's reconstructed defense. Games against USC's Caleb Williams and Oregon's Bo Nix will reveal whether this team can compete at the conference's upper echelon or if they're still a year away. My prediction? They'll pull off at least one stunning upset at Folsom Field, likely against either USC or Oregon State, while dropping a game they should win - probably Arizona State or Stanford. That inconsistency is natural for a team with so many new pieces, but the foundation being laid this season could position Colorado for a legitimate bowl run in 2024.
As someone who has covered college football through multiple rebuilding projects, what strikes me about Colorado's situation is the accelerated timeline. Traditional rebuilds take three to four years minimum, but the transfer portal and NIL have compressed that window dramatically. The administration clearly isn't patient - nor should they be with the financial investments made - but my concern is whether this rapid reconstruction can develop the depth needed to sustain success. The two-deep roster still shows significant drop-offs at several key positions, particularly along the defensive front seven.
When I think about what constitutes "returning to glory" for Colorado, it's not necessarily about replicating the 1990 national championship season immediately. For this year, glory means being competitive in every game, restoring excitement around the program, and laying groundwork for future success. Based on what I've seen in spring practices and fall camp, they're on track to achieve those objectives. The energy around Dal Ward Center feels different this August - there's a belief that had been missing during the Tucker and Dorrell eras. Will they challenge for the Pac-12 title? Almost certainly not. But they'll be must-watch television every Saturday, and for a program that had become irrelevant nationally, that alone represents significant progress toward reclaiming its place in college football's landscape.