What Is 2018 Colorado Buffaloes football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS season, finishing with a 5–7 record under head coach Mike MacIntyre. They competed in the Pac-12 Conference and played home games at Folsom Field in Boulder.

Key Facts

The 2018 Colorado Buffaloes finished with a 5–7 overall record and 3–6 in Pac-12 play.
Head coach Mike MacIntyre was fired after the season following a three-year decline in performance.
The team played home games at Folsom Field, a stadium with a capacity of 50,183.
Colorado lost to Texas Tech 38–35 in the 2018 Valero Alamo Bowl, finishing the season at 5–7.
Quarterback Steven Montez started all 12 games, throwing for 2,982 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Overview

The 2018 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado Boulder during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Pac-12 Conference’s South Division, the team was led by fifth-year head coach Mike MacIntyre and played its home games at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.

Despite high expectations following a 5–7 record in 2017 and a strong 2016 season that included a top-25 ranking, the Buffaloes struggled in 2018. They failed to qualify for a bowl game initially but accepted an invitation to the Valero Alamo Bowl after stronger teams declined, finishing the season with a 5–7 overall record.

Overall record: The Buffaloes finished the season with a 5–7 win-loss tally, including a 3–6 mark in Pac-12 Conference play.
Head coach: Mike MacIntyre was dismissed after the season, ending a five-year tenure that began with a 10-win season in 2016.
Stadium: Folsom Field, opened in 1924, hosted all home games and has a seating capacity of 50,183 spectators.
Bowl appearance: Colorado played in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Texas Tech, losing 38–35 in a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest.
Quarterback performance: Steven Montez started every game, accumulating 2,982 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Season Performance

The 2018 season was marked by inconsistency on both offense and defense, with the Buffaloes showing flashes of potential but failing to maintain momentum. A 3–0 start raised hopes, but losses in six of the final nine games derailed any postseason aspirations until the Alamo Bowl invitation.

Early success: Colorado began the season 3–0, defeating overmatched opponents like Colorado State and New Hampshire by double-digit margins.
Defensive struggles: The team allowed an average of 33.8 points per game, ranking 108th nationally in scoring defense.
Offensive output: The Buffaloes averaged 26.5 points per game, with 3,874 total yards, including 2,982 through the air.
Key injury: Running back Jaylon Jackson missed most of the season due to injury, limiting depth in the backfield.
Notable win: A 34–23 victory over Arizona State in October was the team’s only Pac-12 home win of the year.
Final game: The Alamo Bowl matchup against Texas Tech ended in a 38–35 defeat, with Colorado surrendering 503 total yards.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 Colorado Buffaloes compare to the previous two seasons across key performance metrics:

Season	Overall Record	Pac-12 Record	Bowl Result	Head Coach
2016	10–3	8–1	Lost Alamo Bowl 38–31	Mike MacIntyre
2017	5–7	3–6	No bowl	Mike MacIntyre
2018	5–7	3–6	Lost Alamo Bowl 38–35	Mike MacIntyre
2019	3–9	2–7	No bowl	Mel Tucker
2020	4–2	4–2	No bowl	Karl Dorrell

The table highlights a sharp decline from the 2016 season, when Colorado reached No. 10 in the AP Poll and won the Pac-12 South. By 2018, the team lacked consistency, and despite earning a rare bowl bid with a losing record, defensive inefficiencies and offensive stagnation led to a swift coaching change.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season marked a turning point for Colorado football, symbolizing the end of a brief resurgence and the beginning of a rebuilding phase. The program’s inability to sustain success after 2016 raised concerns about long-term competitiveness in the Pac-12.

Coaching change: Mike MacIntyre’s firing in November 2018 led to Mel Tucker being hired as the new head coach in December.
Recruiting impact: The losing record affected recruiting momentum, with fewer top-tier commitments in the 2019 and 2020 classes.
Stadium tradition: Folsom Field remains a historic venue, but declining attendance reflected fan disillusionment.
Conference standing: Colorado finished fifth in the Pac-12 South, behind Utah, Arizona State, Colorado State, and USC.
Player development: Several players, including Montez and linebacker Davion Taylor, improved their NFL draft prospects despite team struggles.
Program trajectory: The 2018 season underscored the need for structural changes in coaching and player development.

Ultimately, the 2018 Colorado Buffaloes season serves as a case study in the volatility of college football success. A promising start gave way to mediocrity, highlighting the challenges of maintaining elite performance in a competitive conference.