September 22nd 2024.
The road to the College Football Playoff is a winding one, and for the Big 12, it leads straight through Boulder, Colorado. In just a few weeks, Deion Sanders' Buffaloes will face off against Kansas State in their home stadium. And in late November, they'll have back-to-back home games against Utah and Oklahoma State. It's a tough stretch, but one that could make or break their chances of making it to the playoffs.
According to Fox Sports analyst and former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, the Buffaloes have a bit of an advantage in their schedule. They have some key home games against strong opponents. But at the same time, they'll also face some of the most established and respected programs in college football. It's a true test for Coach Prime and his team.
But with enough skill and luck, Sanders' Buffaloes could find themselves in the running for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Huard points out that the Big 12 is a highly competitive league with a lot of parity, making it anyone's game. And as for CU's chances against the top teams in the conference, they've proven themselves before. Last year, with Ryan Staub at quarterback, they scored almost as many points against Utah as Oklahoma State did this past Saturday.
The Big 12 is already showing signs of being a wild and unpredictable conference. Arizona State, previously on a winning streak, fell to Texas Tech. Kansas, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive loss. And Cincinnati, who was expected to struggle, blew out Houston and now has a 3-1 record. It's a league of middleweight teams all vying for the top spot.
According to former Big 12 and Big Eight commissioner Chuck Neinas, there's a new energy and excitement in the conference. With Oklahoma and Texas leaving, there's a feeling that any team could have a shot at the title. Even CU, who has struggled in recent years, could prove to be a strong contender in this new-look Big 12.
But the Football Power Index (FPI) ratings tell a different story. As of early Saturday, no Big 12 team ranked in the top 15. In fact, the top 15 was made up entirely of teams from other conferences. But within the top 57 teams, 14 of them were from the Big 12, with CU coming in at 55. It's a testament to the depth of talent within the conference.
Huard compares the Big 12 to the four railroads in the game of Monopoly- sustainable and reliable assets that are hard to rank in terms of importance. And when it comes to predicting the top teams in the conference, there are a few different opinions. The FPI has Kansas State at the top, followed by UCF, Oklahoma State, and Utah. Huard personally favors Utah, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and Iowa State. But ultimately, it's anyone's guess.
One thing is for sure, though. A strong start to conference play is crucial for CU's success. Since 2003, the Buffaloes have only made it to the postseason once when they started league play 0-2. On the other hand, all three times they started 2-0, they made it to a bowl game. And last year, with a 1-1 record to start conference play, they earned a spot in the postseason. It's a trend that Coach Karl Dorrell and his team will hope to continue this year.
Former CU linebacker Josh Hartigan, a member of the last Buffs team to play in the Big 12, believes that this new conference will be a good fit for the team. He sees it as a chance to improve their recruiting and win more games, solidifying their status as a Power 4 school. And with the competitive nature of the Big 12, anything is possible.
As Huard puts it, "buckle up" for a wild and unpredictable ride through the Big 12. With the road running through Ralphie, CU will have their chance to prove themselves against some of the best in the conference. And who knows, maybe they'll even make a run for the College Football Playoff. It's anyone's game in this new-look Big 12.
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