Deion at Jerry World? How close is Colorado to making the Big 12 title game?
After another wild weekend in the Big 12, it’s becoming more clear which teams are still standing in the race for the two spots in the Big 12 championship game.
At the top sits the undefeated BYU Cougars (9-0, 6-0). BYU was ranked No. 6 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings released on Tuesday.
Behind them? Deion Sanders, Travis Hunter and the Colorado Buffaloes (7-2, 5-1). The Buffaloes are among the biggest surprises in college football, going from 4-8 in the final season in the Pac-12 to being on the cusp of playing for a playoff bid.
You know Jerry Jones would love to host the former Cowboy along with Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders in what could be the biggest game of conference championship week if the Buffaloes make it. Big 12 officials wouldn’t ever admit it publicly, but they would certainly also love to see Sanders competing for a playoff spot in the city where he became one of sports’ biggest icons.
Add in all the smoke from the countless pundits that have linked Sanders or his son to the Cowboys in next year’s NFL Draft and it could be an electric weekend where the Big 12 title game receives the same type of attention the Big 10 and SEC championship games usually do.
With three games left for both teams, it’s far too early to lock either team into the Big 12 as there are more contenders that are just a game back of Colorado.
With TCU on another bye week, here’s a look at some of the games around the conference this week and what implications they’ll have on determining who reaches AT&T Stadium for the Big 12 title game.
BYU
Next game: vs. Kansas at 9:15 p.m. Saturday.
Final games: At Arizona State, vs. Houston
Breakdown: BYU has the simplest path of them with the Cougars just needing to win out to reach JerryWorld. The final three games aren’t daunting, but they can be tricky. The Jayhawks have played everyone tight this year and are coming off a massive win over Iowa State.
Arizona State is still in the thick of the title race and Houston already has a few upsets under its belt. BYU isn’t guaranteed to make it to the title game 12-0, but with every team except Colorado having two losses BYU can afford a loss and still make it.
Colorado
Next game: vs. Utah at 11 a.m. Saturday
Final games: at Kansas, vs. Oklahoma State
Breakdown: The Buffaloes (7-2, 5-1) have an easier slate than BYU on paper, but this is the Big 12 and nothing is guaranteed. The Utes are undermanned on offense, but still have one of the league’s best defenses. They can make things interesting, but Colorado is a more physical team than a year ago and has more weapons on the outside.
The hardest game could be at Kansas, but it could depend on what happens against BYU. Will Kansas come out motivated if they’re eliminated from bowl contention? The Cowboys are the worst teams in the league and it would be a big upset if Colorado fell.
Sanders and Colorado control their own destiny. Win out and they should be in.
Arizona State
Next game: At Kansas State at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Final games: vs. BYU, at Arizona
Breakdown: Of all the remaining contenders, the Sun Devils (7-2, 4-2) have the toughest slate. The game against Kansas State could be considered an elimination game with the loser dropping to three conference losses. BYU is a tough matchup and while Arizona has underachieved, rivalry games on the road are never easy.
The Sun Devils are one of the most improved teams in the country, but seem like a long shot to make it.
Kansas State
Next up: vs. Arizona State
Final games: vs. Cincinnati, at Iowa State
Breakdown: K-State (7-2, 4-2) is the team that has the most to benefit from a Colorado loss as the Wildcats own the tiebreaker over the Buffaloes after defeating them 31-28 on Oct. 12. The Wildcats were in control of their destiny until being upset 24-19 by Houston on Nov. 2., now Kansas State will need some assistance.
The final slate is brutal, but at least they get two of them at home. If Kansas State survives against Arizona State, then the rivalry game against Iowa State could be another elimination game.
Iowa State
Next up: vs. Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Saturday
Final games: at Utah, vs. Kansas State
Breakdown: The Cyclones (7-2, 4-2) went from controlling their own destiny to being on the wrong side of the bubble with back-to-back losses to Texas Tech and Kansas. The Cyclones are reeling and it’s hard to see Iowa State turning things around for a three-game winning streak.
West Virginia
Next up: vs. Baylor at 3 p.m. Saturday
Final games: vs. UCF, at Texas Tech
Breakdown: The last of the 4-2 teams in league play, the Mountaineers (5-4, 4-2) aren’t mathematically eliminated yet, but they are considered a long shot after an up and down season. It’s possible that West Virginia could win all three games, but it’s just as likely they lose all three with the Bears, Knights and Red Raiders all being capable of beating them.
Iowa State and Kansas State also own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Mountaineers if either of those teams finish with the same league record. The Mountaineers are a longshot.
Most likely outcome?
Big 12 title game: BYU vs. Colorado
Breakdown: There’s a good chance all of the remaining contenders drop a game, it’s just the way the Big 12 operates. But BYU has enough cushion to endure loss, or maybe even two, that cushion will be enough for the Cougars to clinch a spot in the title game.
As for Colorado, the Buffaloes have the most manageable remaining schedule with two games at home and the road game at Kansas won’t exactly be a hostile environment. The Buffaloes have arguably the two best players in the league and a much improved defense.
Colorado has the best chance of winning out and while the Buffaloes will have at least one close call, Sanders and company will survive and make it to the championship game in just his second season as head coach.
