BOULDER, Colo. — It may be hard to believe that one year removed from a 4-8 record, the Colorado Buffaloes have a shot at a Big 12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
The Buffaloes (8-3) controlled their own destiny before losing 37-21 to the Kansas Jayhawks last week. Now, they're going to need some help to make it to the Big 12 Championship game.
With assistance from 9NEWS sports nerd Jack Linnehan, we'll look at what needs to play out in order for the Buffs to do just that.
First, Colorado has to beat Oklahoma State on Friday. There's no way around that. Now, here's where it gets complicated:
Colorado is currently in a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12. The other teams are Arizona State, Iowa State and BYU. The easiest path is for at least two of those teams to lose. That would put the Buffs in the conference championship game.
But what has to happen if that's not the case?
1. BYU has to lose to Houston.
2. Texas Tech has to beat West Virginia. That's because Colorado beat Texas Tech, giving them a tie-break advantage over two teams that lost to Texas Tech, Arizona State and Iowa State. Colorado would then end up playing either Arizona State or Iowa State for the conference title depending on how things shake out with some other games. But in the interest of the mental wellbeing of our readers, we won't get into that.
If the Buffs lose on Friday, they'll end up with an 8-4 record and no shot at an at-large berth in the College Football Playoff. But they will still have doubled their win total from 2023 and will end up playing in a bowl game for the first time since 2020, which is nothing to be ashamed of.
With a win and some help, Colorado will play in the Big 12 Championship with a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line.
A Buffs fan can dream!