As the college football season enters its stretch, every game and every result matters for teams with postseason hopes. The Colorado Buffaloes, led by Coach Deion Sanders, are eyeing a bowl game and looking to finish their season strong. While their fate lies largely in their own hands, other matchups around the Pac-12 and beyond could significantly impact their standing. Here’s a look at which teams the Buffs will be cheering on this week to improve their chances.
In one of the most critical games for the Buffaloes’ postseason outlook, Colorado will be pulling for Stanford to defeat Washington State. The Cougars are competing with Colorado for bowl eligibility, and a Stanford upset could help tilt the standings in the Buffaloes’ favor. Washington State is currently in the hunt for a six-win season, just like the Buffs, so a Cardinal victory could relieve some pressure for Colorado’s bowl aspirations.
The Buffs will also be watching the Utah vs. Arizona State game with interest. Colorado is set to face Utah in the final game of the season, so a Utah win against Arizona State would help strengthen their future opponent’s ranking, making a potential Buffs’ win over Utah even more impressive. A higher-ranked Utah could give Colorado a chance for a signature victory, which would boost their resume significantly heading into bowl season.
Of course, Colorado’s biggest concern this week will be their own game against Oregon State. The Buffaloes need every win they can muster to keep their bowl hopes alive, especially as the Pac-12 offers plenty of tough matchups. Oregon State is no easy opponent, ranked and highly competitive, but a win for Colorado would put them closer to the magic six-win threshold for bowl eligibility.
Another game Buffs fans will be watching closely is UCLA vs. Arizona. Both teams have records similar to Colorado’s, and either could complicate the Buffs’ path to a favorable bowl selection if they continue winning. A UCLA victory would be advantageous for Colorado, as Arizona poses a more direct challenge in the standings. By keeping Arizona at bay, Colorado could improve their standing relative to other Pac-12 teams vying for similar postseason spots.
While Oregon is already highly ranked, the Buffs will likely be cheering them on against California. A decisive Ducks win would push California further down in the standings, helping clear up any competition for Colorado among mid-tier teams. Oregon’s strength also continues to bolster the Pac-12’s national image, potentially securing more bowl bids for the conference, which would aid Colorado if bowl slots open up for Pac-12 teams.
Lastly, Colorado fans have a reason to root for Washington in its matchup against USC. Colorado already played USC in a memorable showdown earlier this season, and a Washington victory would add credibility to the Buffs’ close game against the Trojans. If USC continues to struggle, it could drop further in the rankings, potentially opening up a better postseason scenario for Colorado as bowl selections draw closer.
