Analyst lays out Colorado football's path to the Big 12 Championship Game, College Football Playoff

Coach Prime's Colorado football program has shocked the world and has remained in Big 12 contention throughout the 2024 season. Well, shocked everyone but Joel Klatt, who called Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter to turn in elite performances and lead them to the top of the conference.

Not only is CU still in it, but the Buffs are a four-game win streak away from being in the Big 12 Championship Game in Dallas, Texas. Sporting News' Bill Bender laid out the path Colorado must take to be a win away from the College Football Playoff.

"The Buffaloes are ranked No. 21 in Sporting News Top 25 poll heading into Week 11 – which means they are now the third-highest ranked team in the conference. Could second-year coach Deion Sanders take Colorado to the Big 12 championship game? It's certainly possible. No. 10 BYU is unbeaten, but the Cougars have a road test at rival Utah in Week 11. No. 20 Iowa State and No. 24 Kansas State play each other in the regular-season finale," Bender wrote.

"If the Buffaloes can win out over their next four games – which is possible with the dynamic tandem of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter – then Colorado will have a chance to play in the conference championship game. "

Colorado football won't make the College Football Playoff with another loss

Losing to Nebraska early in the season turned out to be a major blessing for the Buffs. The College Football Playoff Committee pays more attention to November results than those in September, and CU has since synchronized, winning every game but one where Hunter was injured.

Make no mistake about it, though -- one more loss is the definitive end of Colorado's CFP hopes. Whether it's to Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas, or Oklahoma State.