Paul Finebaum, Stephen A. Smith debate Colorado's College Football Playoff chances

Paul Finebaum and Stephen A. Smith debated if Colorado could make the College Football Playoff by the end of the season.

At this point, it seems like the only path for Colorado and Deion Sanders is to win the Big 12. To do so, they’ll most likely have to win out and finish 11-2 on the season.

It’s possible, but Finebaum thinks they’ll a little short.

“No, I think they’ll come very close,” Finebaum said on First Take. “I think this weekend is tricky. They have a couple of other games, but the fact that we’re even having a conversation on the sixth of November, to me, it may not be surprising to Stephen A, but it’s shocking to me because I undervalued them and I over valued the rest of the league. 

“But I think they can get to the championship game. I’m not sure right now they have enough to get past BYU, but I think if they did, Stephen A, we’re talking about one of the greatest, most significant and important college football stories of all time.”

Smith looked at it from a fan perspective. He didn’t necessarily agree or disagree with Finebaum as far as Colorado making the playoff.

But boy it’d be must-see TV if the Buffaloes make the bracket.

“You know, box office appeal matters,” Smith said. “It really, really does. And when you look at Prime Time, it’s one thing for him to be the face of the institution and to be the draw that he is unquestionably proven to be. But that son of his, Shedeur Sanders, is a big time player … That brother, he can throw that football. He will stand in the pocket. He will show up in the midst of pressure, he will show up in pressurized situations and answer the call and respond. This is what he does. He is clearly of the ilk of his daddy. There’s no question about it. 

“And then you got this cat, Travis Hunter, who, as far as I’m concerned, is one of the top two leading candidates, if not the leading candidate for the Heisman, all right. And by the way, Shedeur Sanders should be considered for the Heisman, considering the way that he has played. So I look at it from that standpoint.” 

Is Smith advocating for Colorado to get into the playoff if it’s between them and another team based on the box office? We’ll let him speak for himself.

“And I’m thinking about college football … Sizzle does matter. It should matter,” Smith said. “College football needs to get with the program and stop trying to make everybody happy. You ain’t never cared about making people happy before. Don’t start now. Make yourself happy. Get the draw and ratings.”

He’s not wrong though, Colorado and Deion Sanders are a draw and would be quite the story making the CFP.