It’s hard to remember the last time there was this much excitement surrounding a CU Buffs football season, thanks to Coach Prime’s rebuild of the program.

With that excitement and anticipation in mind, let’s take a quick peek at some of the Colorado Buffaloes’ upcoming matchups and determine which we’re most thrilled to see.

4. CU Buffs vs. USC Trojans

The matchup between the Buffaloes and Trojans has a number of storylines that will make this one fun to follow.

It will be the last season in the Pac-12 for both schools and, as a result, is likely the last opportunity for a while to see CU square off with USC. There isn’t much of a rivalry here, as the Trojans are 16-0 all-time against the Buffaloes, but that only amplifies the desire to win one before regular matchups with USC go out the window.

This game can also serve as a potential glimpse into the future for Colorado fans, as USC is now two seasons removed from their own transfer portal overhaul. Lincoln Reily does have a head start with his program, but how wide is the gap? We’ll have an idea come September 30th.

Lastly, both USC and CU have NFL Draft hopefuls at quarterback.

Shedeur Sanders is attempting to prove himself against Power-5 competition to improve his stock, while Caleb Williams is widely viewed as a near-lock to be selected first overall in 2024. Quarterback duels are a joy to watch, and this is the best one on CU’s schedule.

3. CU Buffs vs. CSU Rams

Who doesn’t love tormenting their younger sibling?

The once-annual matchup is a special time when the CU Buffs get to feel like a juggernaut, as they run up the score on an in-state rival. Given the blue-chip transfer talent Coach Prime has recruited, this matchup should be no different. Plus, the matchup only feels more special now, since the two schools have stopped meeting every year.

This rivalry also leads to a more amped-up atmosphere on the Boulder campus and inside the stadium, which will only add to the fun of this contest.

CU vs. CSU this season will also serve as an excellent look at the states of these two programs, as they attempt to ascend from the bottom-feeder status they held in 2022.

Both fan bases are tremendously excited about their coach’s vision for the future. Who is closer to realizing that vision?

2. CU Buffs @ TCU Horned Frogs

Up until the announcement that the CU Buffs were headed to the Big 12, this game would’ve ranked third on the list. Now, with the move official, there’s just too much spice to this matchup to rank it behind the Rocky Mountain Showdown.

TCU was the top-ranked team in the Big 12 last season and nearly won their conference championship. They’re currently the top dogs in the conference, but they’ve lost much of the talent that made their magical 2022 run possible. As a result, this will be an excellent litmus test, to see how Coach Prime matches up with a top Big 12 foe.

Plus, this could end up as an amazing arrival for Coach Prime.

The last time we saw these two programs, TCU was in the national championship game and CU was lucky to finish 1-11. If Colorado can somehow manage to pull off the road upset in Week 1, the entire college football world would be forced to take notice.

Then, on top of all that, this is going to be the very first time we get to see what Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes look like. Can they make some noise in year 1, like USC, LSU and TCU did last year? Or will the rebuild take a while? We have no idea until we finally get to see Coach Prime’s squad take the field.

1. Colorado Buffaloes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Was there ever any doubt?

This has to occupy the No. 1 spot on every list from both Colorado and Nebraska fans alike. These two programs hate each other and always will.

It’s a shame that we don’t get such an iconic rivalry matchup every season, but the waiting only forces that hatred to fester and grow.

There are 4,670 days between the last time Nebraska beat Colorado and their Week 2 matchup this season. The last time the Huskers beat the Buffaloes, Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ was the No. 1 song on iTunes, ‘Tangled’ and ‘Megamind’ were battling it out at the box office, and the iPhone 4 had just been released.

The joy the Nebraska Cornhuskers would receive from ending that streak comes second to only the joy the Colorado Buffaloes would feel from perpetuating it.

This will also serve as a great look at the program’s two competing rebuilds. Who will have the early lead, Coach Prime or Coach Matt Rhule?