Three Areas Colorado Buffaloes Can't Afford to Take a Step Back

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The 2025 season was full of ups and downs for the Colorado Buffaloes, resulting in a 3-9 record. However, there were still positives, while the performance as a collective wasn't what they hoped for. So here are three areas that Colorado cannot afford to take a step back: pass defense, kicking game, and explosive play defense.

Why it matters

After a disappointing 3-9 season, the Colorado Buffaloes need to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses if they want to improve in 2026. Maintaining a strong pass defense, consistent kicking game, and ability to limit explosive plays will be crucial for the Buffaloes to become contenders in the Big 12.

The details

In pass defense, the Buffaloes allowed just 203.2 pass yards per game, ranking 41st nationally. However, they lost defensive coordinator Robert Livingston, so they brought in Chris Marve to lead the unit. Marve is known for versatile defensive fronts and an emphasis on speed and physicality. The secondary has some key returners like cornerback RJ Johnson and safety Ben Finneseth, plus some new additions like safeties Randon Fontenette and Naeten Mitchell. In the kicking game, the Buffaloes had a reliable placekicker in Alejandro Mata, who made 81.8% of his field goals and 96.8% of his extra points. But Mata has used up his eligibility, so Colorado is holding an open competition between Josh McCormick and Elliot Arnold to find his replacement. Both have the leg strength to hit from distance, so consistency in camp will be key. The Buffaloes struggled to limit explosive plays in the run game, allowing 83 runs of 10+ yards (134th nationally). They've made major investments in the front seven, adding defensive tackles Ezra Christensen, Santana Hopper, Dylan Manuel, and Tyler Moore, as well as edge rushers Vili Taufatofua, Toby Anene, Balansama Kamara, and Immanuel Ezeogu. Improving the run defense is crucial to limiting big plays.

• In the 2025 season, Colorado allowed just 203.2 pass yards per game, ranking 41st nationally.
• Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston left Colorado to take a job in the NFL after the 2025 season.
• Kicker Alejandro Mata went 30-for-31 on extra points and 9-for-11 on field goals in 2025, his final season of eligibility.
• In 2025, Colorado allowed 83 runs of 10+ yards, ranking 134th nationally in explosive play defense.