Paul Finebaum addresses Colorado's College Football Playoff chances with 'realistic' shot at Big 12 title game

Paul Finebaum pivoted on Colorado and all of sudden, the ESPN commentator believes in the Buffaloes chances to get to the Big 12 title game.

Now at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12 going into a bye week, Colorado will come back with a game against No. 20 Kansas State. There is now a path to see Colorado in the conference championship game and have a chance at the College Football Playoff.

Finebaum has gone all-in on Deion Sanders following five games in 2024.

“The Big 12 is topsy turvy right now, and there are a lot of wins on that schedule that I didn’t think were possible a couple of weeks ago,” Finebaum said on First Take. “Utah has some problems as well. So Stephen A, back to what you said a minute ago, as you look at the schedule here, I don’t see Arizona (being a huge challenge) …

“Oklahoma State has lost a couple of times. There’s no place on this schedule (that) he can’t win. So I think the talk of them getting to the championship game of the Big 12 is realistic, and should they do that? If they win, they’re in the playoffs. I know that sounds like a pipe dream a couple weeks ago.”

Can Colorado actually make the College Football Playoff?

Finebaum alluded to Arizona’s win over Utah, which was a significant upset. Granted, Utah is still without starting quarterback Cam Rising, who has myriad injury issues.

Oklahoma State just lost to Kansas State, which seems like the front runner in the conference to this point. Don’t forget about Iowa State going under the radar.

With all that in mind, Colorado could very well emerge from the pile to be one of the final two teams. Basically, anyone can win this conference and represent the Big 12 as one of the top four seeds in the CFP.

Among those on Colorado’s schedule, the Buffs will take on Kansas State, Arizona, Utah and Oklahoma State, the four mentioned by Finebaum.

It’s not like Colorado has to go 11-1 or 10-2 to be in the playoff mix. As long as the Buffaloes win the Big 12, they’re in. But at the level they’re playing right now, led by Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, anywhere between eight and 10 wins in the regular season seems way more realistic than originally thought.