5 ways Deion Sanders' Colorado can secure a bowl game spot in 2024
Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes made it to 1-0 in the new season with a win on Thursday. But the path to the postseason will require six wins which is a mark Colorado hasn't reached since 2016. The Buffs made a bowl game in the COVID-shortened 2020 season but will need five more victories in 2024 to reach another one. Here are five ways to make it there.
5 ways for Colorado to reach a bowl game this season
1. Keep up the out-of-conference run
Unfortunately for Colorado, the nonconference schedule isn't a soft one as the Buffs' next two games are against historical rival Nebraska and state rival Colorado State. While the team has won the last three against Nebraska, the Huskers are expected to be headed up. Meanwhile, Colorado has the last six wins over Colorado State although it took overtime last year to gain it.
2. Pick on the weaker foes of the Big 12
The Buffs get a challenging league schedule, playing many of the Big 12's top teams. That's why feasting on the weaker opponents will be key. Of the nine Big 12 matchups, the weakest are probably UCF, Baylor and Cincinnati. The last two are at home and Colorado almost has to go at least 2-1 against this group and 3-0 would be helpful.
3. Defend the home turf
Colorado did manage to go 4-2 at home in 2021 — its first winning season at home since 2016. Taking care of home games is a big deal as last season the Buffs lost to USC, Stanford, Oregon State and Arizona at Folsom Field. Colorado was an underdog in three of the games and lost all four by one score. This year needs to be better.
4. Make some dents on the road
Playing in empty stadiums due to COVID in 2020, the Colorado Buffaloes went 2-0 away from home. They otherwise haven't won two games on the road in a season since 2016.
This year's road slate is Nebraska, Colorado State, UCF, Arizona, Texas Tech and Kansas. The first two games were covered in the nonconference discussion while UCF is one of the weaker Big 12 foes.
5. Pull some upsets
The obvious way to get there is by taking down good teams. In the 2023 season, Colorado upset TCU to open the campaign as a 20.5-point underdog. Even one big upset this year could be huge. Could the Buffs outlast Utah, Kansas State, Kansas or Oklahoma State? Any of those could help get the all-important sixth win.
What do you think of Colorado's bowl path for 2024? Share your thoughts and reactions below in the comments section!