Can Deion Sanders’ Colorado still make the Big 12 Championship after loss to Kansas?
With one game left in the regular season, Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes face slim playoff hopes.
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Deion Sanders (Image via IMAGO)
No. 16 Colorado Buffaloes playoff chances suffered a massive dent after Deion Sanders’ boys lost 21-37 against the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday. The defeat left Colorado with an 8-3 record (6-2 in the BIG 12).
Winning the fixture was beneficial for the Buffaloes. It would have eased their path to the playoffs, but they still had to play in the BIG 12 Championship game to get into the CFP.
The loss essentially cancels out head-to-head criteria, and Sanders no longer holds the power to decide his team’s future. He has to rely on results from other fixtures for a favorable outcome.
We controlled our own destiny. And we fumbled it.
Deion Sanders said after the game
Before playing the Jayhawks, Colorado had a 42.6% chance of making the CFP this year for the first time since 2016. However, the loss will more than likely lessen the chances.
Ranked college football teams with 3-losses:
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 24, 2024
– No. 7 Alabama
– No. 9 Ole Miss
– No. 16 Colorado
– No. 18 South Carolina
– No. 23 Missouri
– No.25 Illinois
Should any of these teams make the college football playoff? ? pic.twitter.com/Mb2KDwuuV0
Ways the Colorado Buffaloes qualify for the CFP playoffs in 2024
There are several scenarios through which Deion Sanders can lead the Buffs into the college football playoffs, but it will be difficult. The loss made their job tougher.
- First of all, they must win their final BIG 12 game against Oklahoma State. If possible, win by a two-score margin for a better point differential.
- If the top three teams (besides Colorado) Arizona State, BYU, and Iowa State lose, then the Buffaloes get the first seed by beating OSC and then win in the BIG 12 title game.
- If BYU wins and Iowa loses, or vice versa, then Colorado gets in, and they will face Baylor at No. 2 seed.
If Iowa had lost against Utah State on Saturday, then Colorado had an easier road ahead, but since the Cyclones secured a victory, a win is the only option for the Buffs to keep their playoff dreams alive.
There’s also another hurdle that Sanders’ teams must overcome. 2024 saw a change in the CFP qualification process. The Buffs are sure to drop a few places in the next AP rankings due to the loss. According to the new rules, five teams from the four top conferences will get an entry into the CFP.
Reminder Tulane fans, in the College Football Playoff: automatic spots will be given to the five highest-ranked conference champions — no matter the conference. Tulane is No. 20
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) November 24, 2024
Big 12 teams ranked:
14. BYU (lost)
16. Colorado (lost)
21. Arizona St
22. Iowa St
If BYU and Arizona State lose the final games, then all the top teams in the BIG 12 will have three losses, which could pose a problem. Teams like 19 Army and 20 Tulane from American Athletic and Mountain West conferences have better records, then they will receive the vote. So, as Deion Sanders mentioned, it’s out of their hands, and winning the last game may not guarantee a place in the CFP for Colorado.
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Ishan Misra
(3096 Articles Published)