Colorado picked near bottom of USA TODAY Big 12 preseason poll
The Colorado Buffaloes were left out of the All-Big 12 preseason team put out by the conference, but turned in better results on the USA TODAY Sports all-conference teams. Colorado had a few honorabl
The Colorado Buffaloes were left out of the All-Big 12 preseason team put out by the conference, but turned in better results on the USA TODAY Sports
Read Full Story at Yahoo Sports →Why This Matters
The preseason polling disparity for Colorado exposes deeper questions about media perception versus on-field performance in college football. While the Buffaloes were overlooked in the All-Big 12 voting, their subsequent inclusion on USA TODAY’s all-conference teams suggests a disconnect between early projections and actual competitiveness—raising questions about how preseason narratives shape expectations before the season even begins.
Background Context
Colorado’s move to the Big 12 in 2024 marked a high-stakes gamble for both program and conference, as the Buffaloes left the Pac-12 in pursuit of a more lucrative media rights deal. Historically, new members often face skepticism from voters and analysts, especially when transitioning from a Power 4 conference to a league that has rapidly evolved in competitiveness. The Buffaloes’ 2023 resurgence under Coach Deion Sanders proved them capable of contending, yet residual skepticism lingers.
What Happens Next
Colorado’s perceived underdog status could fuel a "prove them wrong" mentality, potentially translating into an overachieving season as the Buffaloes seek to validate their 2023 breakthrough. Coaches and players will likely use the preseason snubs as motivation, while the Big 12’s media partners may reassess their projections if Colorado defies early expectations. The real test comes in the opening weeks against teams like TCU and Kansas State, where performance will either silence critics or reinforce the narrative of inconsistency.
Bigger Picture
Preseason polling controversies are increasingly common in college football, where early-season hype often overshadows program trajectories. The Big 12’s rapid expansion and realignment have created a league where traditional power structures are still forming, making media perception a fluid—and sometimes unreliable—metric. Colorado’s situation reflects a broader trend where programs leveraging transfer portals and coaching changes can outpace conventional wisdom before the season even starts.
