Colorado’s FBS programs begin the 2026 season this week with Coach Prime’s Buffs at Georgia Tech on Thursday, while Air Force and Colorado State begin Saturday at home.

Will it be more of the same from last season, when the three teams combined for just nine wins and zero bowl appearances? Or will they take a step forward in some manner? Here are our staff predictions for the 2026 season:

Colorado Buffaloes

Record: 6-6 (4-5 Big 12)

Big 12 finish: 11th

Offensive MVP: QB Julian Lewis, sophomore

Defensive MVP: LB Gideon Lampron, fifth-year senior

How it happens: After dropping a close season opener at Georgia Tech, CU rattles off three straight wins to close September, including a pair of impressive victories at Northwestern and Baylor. Three straight losses to open October puts the Buffs back under .500, but they beat Kansas State on Halloween to reach 4-4. Losses at Arizona State and home vs. Houston make a bowl game feel in doubt, but Deion Sanders’ team rallies to beat Cincinnati on the road and Central Florida at home to reach the postseason for the second time in the Coach Prime era. It’s nothing flashy, but Brennan Marion’s “GoGo” offense will bring a certain floor that last year’s team didn’t have. That will help overcome a defense that will struggle to stop the run, likely providing a lot of tight, exciting games once Big 12 play rolls around.

— Tyler King

Colorado State Rams

Record: 6-6 (4-4 Pac-12)

Pac-12 finish: Sixth

Offensive MVP: RB Durell Robinson, senior

Defensive MVP: LB Oumar Diomande, senior

How it happens: Jim Mora immediately wins over the Rams fanbase by beating archrival Wyoming in Week 1 and finishing September 2-2 after losses vs. BYU and at UTSA following a 2-0 start. The Pac-12 era begins with a home win over Oregon State and, after a loss at Texas State, CSU rattles off back-to-back impressive wins vs. San Diego State and at Utah State to improve to 5-3. A difficult November sees losses vs. Boise State, at Washington State and at Fresno State before a home win over Texas State in the new-look league’s “flex” game secures a bowl game in Mora’s first season. Tripling last year’s win total would be a massive win to start a new era, but the play will be inconsistent to show the Rams have a long way to go until they’re challenging for a Pac-12 title. But the lead-up to the bowl game allows for even more financial support to pour into the program for a big 2027.

— Tyler King

Air Force Falcons

Record: 10-3 (6-2 Mountain West)

Mountain West finish: Second

Offensive MVP: QB Liam Szarka, junior

Defensive MVP: LB Blake Fletcher, senior

How it happens: It doesn’t require an active imagination to see quarterback Liam Szarka efficiently and, at times, spectacularly leading an offense that also features fullback Owen Allen rumbling to a Brad Roberts-esque 1,500 yards. On the other side, linebacker Blake Fletcher and edge rusher Isaac Hubert can form the heart of a defense that progresses from stout (as it was late in 2025) to downright nasty. While a truly special season is a possibility, tricky road tests loom. The Falcons haven’t won at Wyoming since 2012, at Army since 2016 and have taken just two of their past six games at New Mexico. An entertaining home slate (Navy, UNLV, pass-happy San Jose State) includes North Dakota State’s intro to the Mountain West in a Sept. 12 matchup that just might establish a front-runner in the new-look conference.

— Brent Briggeman