Heather Dinich pins down Colorado's chances of making College Football Playoff following Texas Tech win

ESPN senior writer Heather Dinich believes here is no question that Colorado has a clear path to the College Football Playoff. The Buffaloes are currently in second place in the Big 12 conference with three games remaining, making them in control of their own destiny to reach the conference title game.

Under the new rules for the 12-team CFP, the five highest-ranked conference championship earn automatic bids to the playoff. Give that Colorado’s remaining games all come against teams that have won two or less Big 12 contests, their odds to reach the Big 12 Championship are high.

“Very realistic because the five highest-ranked conference champs are in the playoffs,” Dinich said on SportsCenter. “If Colorado runs the table, which ESPN analytics projects they will because it gives the Buffaloes at least a 50% chance to win each of their remaining games, then they’re gonna play BYU in the Big 12 Championship game.

“I don’t care if they have two losses or four losses. If they win the league, they are in the College Football Playoff. Where it could get interesting is if BYU is in that game undefeated and has one loss as the Big 12 runner up. Does the Big 12 get two teams in? It’s a good possibility but it also depends on what happens everywhere else.”

The Buffaloes are coming off of a 41-27 victory against Texas Tech over the weekend. They also have a Heisman Trophy candidate in Travis Hunter, who currently leads the odds while posting 856 yards receiving and nine touchdowns as well as two interceptions, seven passes defended and a forced fumble on defense.

Colorado came in at No. 20 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, but they are likely to move up with the rankings set to be announced Tuesday evening. In the end though, only winning out matters as that will secure their spot regardless of where they land.

Colorado next faces Utah at noon ET on Saturday in Boulder.