Joel Klatt: Colorado's game against Arizona State is 'pivotal' for bowl eligibility

Colorado’s hype train has come off the tracks a bit based on how their last two matchups have gone. However, when it comes to potentially making a bowl game, FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt sees a clear path to reaching that goal that starts this weekend in Tempe.

Klatt examined Colorado’s path to a bowl game during his show on Monday. To him, their matchup with Arizona State this weekend is massive considering how difficult the back half of their schedule eventually gets.

“They’ve got Arizona State, they’ve got Stanford in a Friday night home game. Then they’ve got a bye,” read Klatt. “They’ve got some tough opponents down the stretch. UCLA, Oregon State. Then they’ve got a winnable Arizona game. Then they’ve got Washington State in a Friday night road game…Woof. And Utah. That’s really difficult.”

The Buffaloes got off to a great start as they were halfway to their goal after three games at 3-0. Their last two against Top-10 teams at Oregon and against USC have since brought their record to 3-2.

Four of Colorado’s final five games will come against teams that are currently or have been ranked. That’s why, against the Sun Devils who presently sit at 1-4, Klatt sees this weekend’s game as a significant one for the Buffalo’s plans of reaching the postseason.

“Do they have a path to six? Absolutely,” said Klatt. “I think Arizona State becomes the pivotal game, the pivotal game. I believe Colorado is better than both Arizona and Stanford. Arizona State is likely a win but they have to go on the road.”

“In order for Colorado to get to a bowl game, this is the pivotal game,” said Klatt. “This is the pivotal game. The other ones are going to be really difficult.”

Deion Sanders excited by level of attention on Colorado

Despite some recent losses, the level of attention Colorado is receiving in 2023 is still elating Deion Sanders.

The Buffaloes have become the most popular team in all of college football since Coach Prime took over and shocked the world over the first month of the season. While losses to Oregon and USC have hurt their stock, Colorado could go for another string of victories coming up that could put the shine back on their squad.

Regardless, Sanders spoke to the media following the Buffaloes’ loss to the Trojans over the weekend, where he elaborated on his thoughts regarding all of the attention his team is getting.

“I don’t know if it’s all love. I don’t think it’s all love. You haven’t checked the responses from the coaches that we’re participating against,” laughed Sanders. “But we’re excited, truly, with the attention that’s warranted to this wonder, beautiful university. I’m excited and elated to be the coach here. I’m excited to really talk about the wonderful attributes that we possess. The young men, they don’t see it because they’re in it. Often times, we can step a foot out of it, and we see it from another viewpoint, and a vantage point. They don’t see it, and they’re so young. I didn’t see it either, when I was in college or early in my pro career. But I’m happy and thankful that we’re a voice of hope. Just desire and want, I think that’s the thing that’s touching souls around the country. That person that no one believes in, that person that no one desires, that person that’s stepped over, stepped by and stepped past. We represent that person.

“No one wants to see what we’re doing. They don’t want to see us accomplish what we’re doing. I said, and I will reiterate this, you have to be crazy if you can’t see the direction that we’re headed. I’m so happy and thankful to be the head coach of this wonderful university.”