The Colorado Buffaloes entered the season with the highest hopes they’ve had in some time. In fact, if you remember correctly, a bevy of preseason bets were placed on the Buffaloes to make the College Football Playoff.
With their Week 1 result in the bag, the Buffs had their sights set on handling business against Nebraska in Week 2. What are their updated Playoff chances now that they’ve dropped the contest against the Cornhuskers?
Nebraska Destroys Colorado’s College Football Playoff Chances
Let’s break this down in the easiest way possible. These are not the betting odds, first and foremost, that needed to get that out of the way.
As of right now, the Buffs have just a 0.002% chance to win the rest of their games, something they’d likely have to do in order to reach the College Football Playoffs. Sadly, for Colorado fans, their chance to even get to six wins is just 27.4%.
TRY IT YOURSELF: Sim the Season with College Football Network’s Playoff Predictor
The College Football Network Playoff Predictor is figuring out the numbers you see below. These numbers are based upon the winning probability of every game remaining on the schedule for Colorado while forcing the results from the first two outings: a win vs. North Dakota State and a loss vs. Nebraska.
CFN’s Playoff Predictor takes into account winning probability based on a variety of factors, giving us a realistic look at how well the Buffaloes should fare in each of their remaining games this season.
Let’s take a look.
Colorado Win-Loss Projections After Week 2
Here’s how the rest of the season stacks up for Colorado, following their loss to Nebraska in Week 2:
- Colorado (-7.5) @ Colorado State (Projection: W)
- Colorado (-3) vs. Baylor (Projection: W)
- Colorado (2.5) @ UCF (Projection: L)
- Colorado (4) vs. Kansas State (Projection: L)
- Colorado (9.5) @ Arizona (Projection: L)
- Colorado (-6.5) vs. Cincinnati (Projection: W)
- Colorado (1.5) @ Texas Tech (Projection: L)
- Colorado (5.5) vs. Utah (Projection: L)
- Colorado (6.5) @ Kansas (Projection: L)
- Colorado (3.5) vs. Oklahoma State (Projection: L)
Here is the total winning probability for the Buffs remaining schedule:
- Week 3 @ Colorado State: 73.0%
- Week 4 vs. Baylor 57.4%
- Week 5 @ UCF: 45.7%
- Week 7 vs. Kansas State 38.1%
- Week 8 @ Arizona: 23.4%
- Week 9 vs. Cincinnati: 68.8%
- Week 11 @ Texas Tech: 48.2%
- Week 12 vs. Utah: 34.9%
- Week 13 @ Kansas: 32.3%
- Week 14 vs. Oklahoma State: 38.9%
Overall, it’s not looking too good for Colorado after the numbers are pushed forward following the results from Week 2. They struggled to protect QB Shedeur Sanders and questionable coaching decisions were aplenty.
Defensive lapses showed themselves, but certainly, the most concerning factor as they approach Big 12 play is the fact that their offensive and defensive lines have not improved from last season.
Things will have to dramatically change if they want to compete in the Big 12 in 2024.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top players, the college football season schedule, and much more!