The Colorado Buffaloes’ playoff dreams took a significant hit last Saturday when they faced the Kansas Jayhawks at Arrowhead Stadium, suffering a surprising 37-21 defeat. This loss not only dashed the Buffaloes’ hopes for the College Football Playoff but also left them with numerous obstacles to overcome if they want to make it to the Big 12 Championship game.
Entering the game as the No. 16 ranked team, expectations were high for Coach Deion Sanders and his squad. The Buffaloes had been seen as one of college football's rising programs, fueled by recent successes, and riding high on a four-game winning streak leading up to this pivotal match. Yet, Kansas, which came off two consecutive victories against ranked teams, showcased their prowess, marking the first time in FBS history for a losing-record team to defeat three ranked opponents consecutively.
This latest upset raised eyebrows across the nation, with many wondering where it all went wrong for Colorado. Initially, the Buffaloes found themselves trailing 17-0, unable to establish their defense against Kansas's offensive onslaught. Running back Devin Neal was particularly effective, racking up 287 total scrimmage yards and scoring four touchdowns. Despite efforts to claw back—highlighted by quarterback Shedeur Sanders connecting with Heisman frontrunner Travis Hunter for two touchdowns—Colorado's defensive weaknesses became more glaring as the game progressed.
After addressing his team post-game, Sanders bemoaned the reality of their situation, stating, "I feel as though we have fumbled it." Sanders held his players accountable, attributing their failure to being "intoxicated with success" and losing focus on their true potential. The Buffaloes had entered the season with low expectations from many, even with their over/under win total set at just 5.5 games. This makes their current performance all the more noteworthy, yet intruding losses now overshadow previous triumphs.
The Buffaloes must now win their final regular-season game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys—a team currently struggling at the bottom of the Big 12 standings. Even with this victory, Colorado needs assistance from rival teams BYU, Iowa State, and Arizona State to secure their place within the Big 12 Championship game. To make this scenario work, they need either one or two of those teams to lose their upcoming games, which could prove to be quite the challenge.
Unlike last year, where they started strong but finished with a disappointing 4-8 record, this season showed glimpses of brilliance. Their recent performance under Deion Sanders’ guidance has begun to earn the Buffaloes respect, with players like Hunter and Sanders performing exceptionally. Yet, the loss against Kansas has put the pressure back on, obscuring their otherwise promising season.
Notably, as Sanders and Hunter prepare for potential career moves to the NFL, the Buffaloes are left pondering how much of this year's potential success can be replicated next season. They recently secured five-star recruit Julian Lewis, aiming to build around the young quarterback and bolster their roster through the transfer portal.
This challenging moment must serve as both an eye-opener and learning curve for the Buffaloes. They could still be eyed as contenders for future seasons if they can navigate the remainder of this campaign effectively. Their ability to adapt and learn from the Kansas game will be integral to their success moving forward, ensuring their growth as they establish themselves within the competitive Big 12.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the Buffaloes can rebound from this setback and what adjustments Sanders will implement to reclaim control of their playoff destiny. With rivals on the same path seeking similar standings, it’s set to be quite the thrilling finish to the season, whether Colorado makes the most of it or watches from the sidelines.
Can the Buffaloes regroup, draw strength from this experience, and carve their way back toward contention? College football is notorious for unexpected turns, and this year is no exception.
