College football: 5 teams with the most turnaround potential in 2023

Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel (8) runs the ball for a first down in the second quarter during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.Ou Vs Baylor
Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel (8) runs the ball for a first down in the second quarter during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.Ou Vs Baylor
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Dec 4, 2022; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders speaks during a press conference at the Arrow Touchdown Club. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2022; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders speaks during a press conference at the Arrow Touchdown Club. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1. Colorado Buffaloes

This was an easy pick for me for many reasons.

Colorado was one of the worst teams in all of college football last season, finishing the year with a 1-11 record before moving on from Karl Dorrell. The Buffaloes were flat-out bad and it felt like the program was headed for an extended stay in the land of the forgotten schools.

Then the athletic department decided to make a move that would save the program. They hired Deion Sanders as the next head coach.

Sanders, who had been at Jackson State for a few years, was building a winner in the FCS before getting some interest from FBS programs. I always thought he would get a big job when he made the move to the FBS at a contender, but he had to settle for Colorado and I think that it’ll actually be a solid fit that will pay instant dividends.

Colorado is already bringing in two former five-star cornerbacks, a really good transfer class, and Shedeur Sanders to lead the offense at quarterback.

A 1-11 season will feel like a distant memory in 2023 as I see the Buffaloes going bowling.