What does Colorado need to make the 12-team CFP field? Closer look at Deion Sanders' chances to make history

With every passing week, it becomes more challenging for coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes (5-2) to make the 12-team College Football Playoff. Despite a 34-7 win over Arizona this week, the Buffaloes did not get any closer to earning a playoff berth at the end of the season.

In the new 12-team playoff format, the five highest-ranked conference champions automatically earn playoff berths. The four highest-ranked champions earn a bye through the first round. The next seven spots are determined by the CFP selection committee. Those spots go to the seven highest-ranked teams, regardless of where they rank in their respective conferences.

As a result, to earn a spot in the playoffs, a team will need to have a high national standing. As things stand after eight weeks, Colorado's conference, the Big 12, has one of the five highest-ranking conference champions. To make the playoffs, the Buffaloes must win their conference or earn a top-12 national rank.

Can Colorado earn a College Football Playoff berth?

For Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes to make the playoffs, it will need many things to go right. The team does not currently have a top 25 ranking, which makes it hard for them to earn one of the seven non-champion slots. To get one of those spots, teams will likely need to be in the top 12 teams in the nation.

The Buffaloes do not have any games against any ranked teams left on their schedule. Some teams, like Utah, were ranked earlier in the year but are now unranked. Without wins over ranked teams, it is hard to break into the top 25. That is why the loss to No. 17 Kansas State a week ago was such a big hit to Colorado's playoff odds.

So, since it is unlikely for Colorado to earn a playoff berth in those seven spots, it will need to get there as a conference champion. The Buffaloes have a 3-1 in-conference record, which sits tied with three other teams and behind 4-0 BYU and Iowa State.

All five of the Buffaloes' remaining games are against conference opponents, but they do not have any against Iowa State or BYU. As a result, the Buffaloes must win as many games as possible while hoping that both of those teams lose at least one game.

If the Buffaloes can win out, they have a chance to make the playoffs, but they will need to rely on other teams' results. It is not impossible, but the Buffaloes' fate is out of their hands.