Colorado’s overtime win over Kansas State did more than end a five-game skid. It also gave the Buffaloes a small bump in ESPN’s Football Power Index after the Week 9 slate wrapped up.
The Buffs climbed two spots in the updated FPI, but they are still sitting at the bottom of the Big 12. Colorado is No. 73 nationally with a -0.8 FPI score, just behind its Week 10 opponent, Arizona State.
The bigger shift came in the projections. ESPN moved Colorado’s expected record from 3.4-8.6 to 4.3-7.7, which is roughly a full-win increase.
That also pushed the Buffaloes’ six-win outlook - the mark needed to lock up a bowl berth - from 3% to 10.9%. Colorado still needs to take three of its final four games to get there.
FPI gives the Buffaloes only a 1.2% shot at finishing 7-5 and 5-4 in Big 12 play if they win out. The model also lists Colorado’s Big 12 title chance at 0.0%.
Next up is a trip to Tempe, where Colorado faces an Arizona State team that FPI ranks as the Big 12’s second-worst squad, directly ahead of the Buffaloes.
Colorado football’s updated FPI ranking after Week 9
FPI Rank: No. 73 (last in Big 12)
Projected win-loss record: 4.3-7.7
Six-win chance: 10.9%
Win-out chance: 1.2%
Big 12 title chance: 0.0%
ESPN FPI win chances for Colorado’s remaining schedule
at Arizona State: 35.8%
vs. Houston: 18.3%
at Cincinnati: 26%
vs. UCF: 49%
In Other News...
Deion Sanders History Suddenly Hangs Over Florida State Opening
Florida States decision to move on from Mike Norvell after a 3-5 start and a loss to Clemson has reopened one of college footballs more familiar coaching conversations, especially for anyone who remembers how quickly the Seminoles have gone from patience to urgency before. Rick Stockstill, a former Florida State quarterback, will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season while the school sorts through a broader reset that includes finding both a new head coach and athletic director.
President Richard McCullough framed the move as a response to the programs trajectory and called it a fresh start, which is exactly the kind of opening that tends to stir up old names around a high-profile job. For Colorado fans, Deion Sanders history in Tallahassee adds another layer to watch, even as the search itself remains in its early stages and the next step is still to be determined. [Read more 🡒]
Buffs Young Core Just Gave Fans A Reason To Believe
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The backdrop was a quiet one at the arena, with 4,420 on hand for Colorados season opener, the lowest turnout for a first game in Boyles 17 seasons. Even so, the Buffaloes had enough energy on the floor to make the crowd part of the story only in passing, not as the main event. If the early signs from Holland, Inman and Sanders hold, Colorado may have something worth building on beyond a single lopsided win. [Read more 🡒]
Deion Sanders Just Raised A Bigger Colorado Question Before Arizona State
Deion Sanders spent part of his pregame availability ahead of Arizona State giving Colorado a fairly routine update, at least on the surface. He said Tuesdays practice was one of the teams best of the season, noted that he stays in regular contact with recruits in the 2027 class, and offered a positive read on the general direction of the Buffaloes as they get ready for another Big 12 test.
The bigger concern, though, is the health of Julian Lewis after a recent medical emergency, and Sanders did not leave much doubt that the freshman quarterback is trending in the right direction. Colorado also appears set to keep riding Richard Young after his strong showing, a sign that the Buffaloes are trying to settle key spots as the schedule tightens and the margin for error gets smaller. [Read more 🡒]