Colorado Playoff, Bowl projections after Week 13: Exploring Buffaloes' chances in 2024 to win Big 12 title

The No. 25 Colorado Buffaloes had an opportunity to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday. However, they suffered an unexpected 37-21 loss to Kansas, significantly diminishing their playoff hopes.

While there is still a slim chance for the Buffaloes to make it to the Big 12 Championship Game, it would require several unlikely outcomes to align in their favor regarding tiebreakers. As a result, it is more probable that they will end up playing in a non-playoff bowl game.

Colorado playoff chances and bowl-projections 2024

To determine which bowl game the Buffaloes will play in, it is important to look at their playoff chances. Before the game against Kansas, it was looking like a near lock that the Buffaloes would play in the Big 12 Championship Game. However, the loss means it is unlikely that will happen. Also, it is not likely they will make the playoffs as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions.

As for the other seven spots, Colorado will not be among the seven highest-ranked non-champions. They are too far down the rankings and only have one game remaining against unranked Oklahoma State.

So, the only path to the playoffs is to win on Friday against Oklahoma State and hope all the teams tied and in front of it lose. ESPN gives Colorado a 3.9% chance of making the playoffs.

What bowl games will Colorado play in?

In the likely event that the Buffaloes do not make the 2024 college football playoffs, they will need to settle for a non-playoff bowl game. There are several options available for Big 12 teams, but CBS Sports projects that they will play in the Alamo Bowl on December 28th against BYU. SI has a different projection, predicting them to play against Syracuse in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl.

There are a few other bowl games with Big 12 tie-ins. Those games include the Rate Bowl, Armed Forces Bowl, Liberty Bowl, Pop-Tarts Bowl and Texas Bowl.

Despite the disappointment of missing the playoffs, the Buffaloes are guaranteed to play in a bowl game. They passed the required number of wins (six) several weeks ago. So, even though they will not play in the playoffs, they will play a bowl game.

Colorado football schedule: Key games remaining

The Buffaloes only have one game left on their schedule during the regular season

• Nov 29 vs Oklahoma State