Is Colorado out of the College Football Playoff? Looking at Deion Sanders squad's chances to contend for National Championship

The Colorado Buffaloes' College Football Playoff hopes hung in the balance in the final week of the regular season. Two outcomes gave fans reason for optimism heading into the weekend. On Thanksgiving, No. 17 Tulane suffered a 34-24 upset at home against Memphis. On Friday, Colorado shut out Oklahoma State 52-0 at Folsom Field in Boulder.

The win moved Colorado’s record to 9-3, an improvement from 4-8 in 2023 and 1-11 in 2022. However, Colorado's Big 12 and CFP hopes still required other results to go its way.

Is Colorado out of the College Football Playoff?

Entering Week 14, Colorado's three-loss record is unlikely to earn them an at-large berth, especially since they are unable to add a conference championship to their resume. The final playoff rankings on Dec. 8 will likely have Colorado out of the 12-team field.

The expanded format gives automatic berths to the five highest-ranked conference champions and has seven at-large bids. Colorado's Big 12 title chances ended when Arizona State and Iowa State advanced to the championship game in the final week of the regular season.

Why was Colorado left out of the Big 12 Championship game?

Tiebreakers did not favor the Buffaloes, leaving them on the outside looking in. Colorado finished the regular season in a four-way tie atop the Big 12 standings with Arizona State, Iowa State, and BYU.

However, losses to Kansas and Kansas State earlier in the season ultimately cost Colorado a spot in the championship game. Kansas State edged the Buffaloes 31-28 on Oct. 12, and Kansas delivered a decisive 37-21 blow on Nov. 23.

These setbacks pushed tiebreaker scenarios in Arizona State's and Iowa State's favor, allowing the Sun Devils and Cyclones to make the title game.

The Buffaloes needed two of Arizona State, Iowa State, and BYU to lose. Alternatively, they could have advanced with losses by BYU and West Virginia. By Saturday afternoon, things appeared promising as Texas Tech defeated West Virginia 52-15.

However, Arizona State and Iowa State both won later in the day, leaving the Buffaloes dependent on a Houston upset over BYU. BYU won that contest, ending Colorado's shot at the Big 12 title.

How have the Buffaloes performed this season?

Under Sanders, the team improved from 4-8 last year to 9-3, creating larger expectations for the future. Two-way star Travis Hunter is the Heisman Trophy favorite, while quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Even with both players leaving Colorado, "Coach Prime" is likely to stay with the program and has bolstered recruiting efforts to build a contender in the Big 12 and beyond.