Colorado hit the six-win mark and became bowl-eligible for just the third time in the last 17 years with a 34-23 home win over Cincinnati on Saturday. It was the Buffaloes' fifth win in their last six games since a Week 2 loss to Nebraska under second-year coach Deion Sanders. They move to 4-1 in Big 12 play and stay in the thick of a competitive conference title race with the victory.
The Buffaloes have already cleared their preseason win projection of 5.5 on sports betting apps. Many criticized Sanders' heavy usage of the transfer portal over the past two offseasons, but it appears his unorthodox approach to roster building is starting to pay some dividends in Boulder, Colorado. The Buffs boast a bona fide Heisman contender in Travis Hunter -- who is currently a +440 bet to take home the trophy, according to DraftKings -- and a first-round NFL Draft prospect at quarterback in Shedeur Sanders.
The last time Colorado was invited to a postseason game was during the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020. The Buffaloes finished 4-2 and lost to Texas in the Alamo Bowl. Colorado last cleared the six-win mark in 2016, when the program finished 10-4 under Mike MacIntyre.
The Buffaloes haven't won a bowl game since defeating UTEP in the Houston Bowl in 2004.
Colorado closes out the season against Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas and Oklahoma State. BYU (5-0) and Iowa State (4-0) remain the only teams in the league that have yet to lose a game in Big 12 play. Kansas State and Colorado have one loss heading into the stretch run of the college football season.