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ESPN FPI Gives Deion Sanders, Colorado No Chance To Win CFP National Championship

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 11:55 AM ET

In his first two seasons as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders has done a solid job, going 4-8 in 2023 and then an astounding 9-4 in 2024, which marked their first winning season since 2016 (excluding 2020).

Even throughout the offseason, his impact is felt, as the Buffaloes have landed a total of 30 players in the transfer portal, per On3.

However, even as the program continues to improve and a handful of talented players join the roster, their ability to compete for the ultimate prize remains limited and in ESPN's FPI, a predictive rating system, it gives Colorado a 0% chance to win the national championship.

Of course, for as much success as they've had bringing players in from the portal, they've also felt the negative effects from it, which includes losing a total of 37 players, which as of now is tied for the third-most of any Big 12 program.

There's no doubt they're also going to be feeling the effects of having several players make the leap to the NFL, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders, two-way star Travis Hunter and wide receivers Jimmy Horn Jr. and LaJohntay Wester.

They also have several unanswered questions, with one of the biggest being trying to figure out Sanders' successor, as a two-way battle has been brewing between freshman Julian Lewis and Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter.

Even despite having the fifth easiest remaining strength of schedule in the Big 12, they still go up against some of the conference's biggest juggernauts, including BYU (Sept. 27), Arizona State (Nov. 22) and Kansas State (Nov. 29), where they will be truly tested if still in college football playoff contention.

In order to even be close to that, though, Sanders and the Buffaloes need to start the season off on a good note, which may be tough in a Week 1 matchup against Georgia Tech, where ESPN BET has Colorado at 3.5-point underdogs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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