It's been a roller coaster of a season for Colorado, with electrifying wins but some devastating losses as well.
"Deion mania" took over the sports world in September, after Coach Prime's Buffaloes upset TCU in a Week 1 thriller. Wins over Nebraska and Colorado State took Colorado to three wins just a year after finishing 1-11, and Sanders became the talk of college football.
Sanders wasn't without his doubters, even after such a hot start, and the doubters weren't exactly proved wrong. Colorado's first loss was a 42-6 drubbing at the hands of Oregon, followed by a closer defeat against Caleb Williams and USC.
The Buffaloes' quest for bowl eligibility took a significant hit last Friday, when they blew a 29-0 halftime lead to Stanford. That makes this week the perfect time for a reset.
MORE: Deion Sanders sounds off on players after loss to Stanford
Here's what you need to know about Colorado's upcoming schedule as Week 8 comes and goes.
Does Colorado play today?
Colorado is off in Week 8, so the Buffaloes will not take the field this weekend. Their next game will be in Los Angeles against UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 28.
For Sanders' squad, this is the right time to take a break. After losing three of four games, including a massive collapse against Stanford just last week, Colorado needs to make some adjustments if it wants to become bowl-eligible. The Buffaloes' remaining schedule is challenging, with three ranked teams still on the docket and only two home games remaining.
Offensively, Colorado has largely gotten the job done this season. A leaky offensive line has been a problem from day one, but Shedeur Sanders still has thrown 21 touchdown passes with just three interceptions.
Defensively, the Buffaloes are a work-in-progress. They are allowing nearly 36 points per game, and the loss to Stanford was especially jarring considering Cardinal QB Ashton Daniels threw more touchdown passes after halftime in that game than he had all season.
MORE: Travis Hunter posts impressive receiving numbers vs. Stanford
Colorado football schedule 2023
Colorado returns to action against UCLA in Week 9 before hosting Oregon State and Arizona in back-to-back weeks.
Here's a full look at Colorado's 2023 schedule.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET)/Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2 | at TCU | W, 45-42 |
| Sept. 9 | vs. Nebraska | W, 36-14 |
| Sept. 16 | vs. Colorado State | W, 43-35 (2OT) |
| Sept. 23 | at Oregon* | L, 42-6 |
| Sept. 30 | vs. USC* | L, 48-41 |
| Oct. 7 | at Arizona State* | W, 27-24 |
| Oct. 13 | vs. Stanford* | L, 46-43 (2OT) |
| Oct. 28 | at UCLA* | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 4 | vs. Oregon State* | TBD |
| Nov. 11 | vs. Arizona* | TBD |
| Nov. 17 | at Washington State* | 10:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 25 | at Utah* | TBD |
*Pac-12 Conference game
Pac-12 schedule Week 8
Colorado is one of four Pac-12 teams not playing in Week 8, joining Arizona, California and Oregon State.
There are still four games in the conference, however. Here's a complete look at the Pac-12 matchups you can watch on Saturday.
| Date | Game | Start time (ET) | TV channel |
| Oct. 21 | Washington State at No. 9 Oregon | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Oct. 21 | No. 14 Utah at No. 18 USC | 8:30 p.m. | Fox |
| Oct. 21 | No. 25 UCLA at Stanford | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Oct. 21 | Arizona State at No. 5 Washington | 10:30 p.m. | FS1 |
