Colorado vs. Kansas score: Buffaloes-Jayhawks live updates

On November 24, 2024By Littum

This is the kind of game that could really ruin Deion Sanders’ playoff push in Colorado.

It’s a road game in an NFL stadium against an upstart opponent in play despite its losing record.

That’s what Buffaloes (8-2) get today when they play Kansas (4-6) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City with a lot on the line for Sanders in his second year as head coach.

A loss could put the Buffs out of contention for the 12-team College Football Playoff and also doom their chances of landing in the Big 12 Conference championship game on Dec. 7.

A win would keep the Buffs on track for both, in addition to boosting the Heisman Trophy candidacy of cornerback receiver Travis Hunter.

But it could be their toughest test this month with two games left in the regular season.

After starting the year 1-5, Kansas and quarterback Jalon Daniels have won two straight against two ranked teams: BYU last week and Iowa State before that. Winning their final two games of the regular season would do that Jayhawks eligible for a postseason bowl game.

USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along.

1st quarter, 11:44

Kickoff is Saturday 23 November at 3:30 p.m. ET.

GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Colorado-Kansas game will be televised on FOX with Jason Benetti, Brock Huard and Allison Williams on the call.

Look at Fubo!

Colorado vs. Kansas odds, line

The Colorado Buffaloes are favorites to defeat the Kansas Jayhawks in Saturday’s college football game, according to BetMGM college football odds. Do you want to bet? Check out the best 2024 college football betting apps that offer the best 2024 NCAA football betting promotions and bonuses.

Spread: Colorado (-2.5)
Moneyline: Colorado (-150); Kansas (+125)
Above/below: 59.5

College football predictions week 13

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ expert picks for this week’s ranked games.

Colorado vs. Kansas weather

Game time temperatures in Kansas City are expected to be in the high 50s with partly sunny skies, according to AccuWeather. Winds are expected to come out of the south-southeast at about 10 mph.

Colorado vs. Kansas predictions

Here’s who our staff predicts will win this matchup and other Top 25 games this week:

Dan Wolken: Kansas
Eddie Timanus: Kansas
Eric Smith: Kansas
Jordan Mendoza: Colorado
Paul Myerberg: Kansas
Scooby Axon: Kansas

How can Colorado clinch a berth in the Big 12 championship game?

The Buffs are tied with BYU for first place in the Big 12 with 5-1 league records. Wins today and next Friday at home against Oklahoma State (3-7) would get them into the Big 12 title.

They could also clinch a spot in the title game today with a win against Kansas and some help from others, namely wins today by BYU and Utah against two teams tied for second with 5-2 league records: Arizona State and Iowa State.

How can Colorado get a spot in the College Football Playoff?

The five highest-ranked conference champions get an automatic playoff spot along with seven at-large teams. If the Buffs win their final two regular season games and the Big 12 championship, they would make the playoffs under the current rankings. If they rank as one of the four highest-seeded conference champions, they would earn a first-round bye and start the playoffs in the quarterfinals on December 31 or January 1, possibly in the Fiesta or Sugar Bowls.

The buffers are 16^th in the current playoff rankings and would move up if they won the Big 12, though it’s not clear how much they would climb.

A loss in their next two or three games could drop them out of playoff contention and possibly into the non-playoff Holiday or Alamo Bowls on Dec. 27 or 28.

Follow all the big news in Colorado this week

Colorado vs. Kansas all-time record

This will be the 71st meeting between the Buffaloes and Jayhawks. Colorado leads the series 42-25-3. Kansas won the last matchup, 52-45, on November 6, 2010.

Colorado schedule 2024

August 29: vs. North Dakota State, W 31-26
Sept. 7: at Nebraska, L 28-10
Sept. 14: at Colorado State, W 28-9
September 21: vs. Baylor, W 38-31 in OT
Sept. 28: at UCF, W 48-21
October 12: vs. Kansas State, L 31-28
Oct. 19: at Arizona, W 34-7
October 26: vs. Cincinnati, W 34-23
Nov. 9: at Texas Tech, W 41-27
November 16: vs. Utah, W 49-24
Nov. 23: at Kansas, 3:30 PM ET on FOX
November 29: vs. Oklahoma State, noon ET on ABC

Kansas schedule 2024

August 29: vs. Lindenwood, W 48-3
Sept. 7: at Illinois, L 23-17
September 13: vs. UNLV, L 23-20
Sept. 21: at West Virginia, L 32-28
September 28: vs. TCU, L 38-27
Oct. 5: at Arizona State, L 35-31
October 19: vs. Houston, W 42-14
Oct. 26: at Kansas State, L 29-27
November 9: vs. Iowa State, W 45-36
Nov. 16: at BYU, W 17-13
November 23: vs. Colorado, 3:30 PM ET on FOX
Nov. 30: at Baylor, TBD

Crime

QB: Shedeur Sanders, SR
RB: Isaiah Augustave, SO
WR: Will Sheppard, GR
WR: Terrell Timmons Jr., JR
WR: Travis Hunter, JR
WR: LaJohntay Wester, SR
TE: Sav’ell Smalls, SR
RT: Philip Houston, JR
RG: Justin Mayers, SR
C: Cash Cleveland, FR
LG: Tyler Brown, JR
LT: Jordan Seaton, FR

Defense

THEY: BJ Green, SR
DT: Amari McNeill, JR
DT: Chidoze Nwankwo, SR
DE: Samuel Okunlola, SO
ILB: Nikhai Hill-Green, GR
ILB: LaVonta Bentley, GR
CB: Travis Hunter, JR
S: Shiloh Sanders, GR
S: Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, SR
CB: DJ McKinney, SO
NB: Isaiah Hardge, FR

Specialists

P: Mark Vassett, SR
K: Alejandro Mata, JR

Crime

QB: Jalon Daniels, JR
RB: Devin Neal, SR
WR: Luke Grimm, SR
WR: Lawrence Arnold, SR
WR: Quentin Skinner, SR
TEA: Jared Casey, SR
RT: Logan Brown, JR
RG: Kobe Baynes, JR
C: Bryce Foster, JR
LG: Michael Ford Jr., SR
LT: Bryce Cabeldue, SR

Defense

THEY: Jereme Robinson, SR
DT: DJ Withers, JR
DT: Caleb Taylor, SR
THEY: Sean Miller, JR
HAWK: Jayson Gilliom, JR
LB: Cornell Wheeler, SR
LB: JB Brown, SR
CB: Cobee Bryant, SR
S: Marvin Grant, SR
S: OJ Burroughs, SR
CB: Mello Dotson, SR

Specialists

P: Damon Greaves, SO
K: Tabor Allen, SR

The top 10 looks a little different again the new American LBM Coaches Poll after week 12. However, the mix did not reach the top of the rankings. No. 20 Tulane and no. 22 Arizona State leads the group of four teams moving into the Top 25. No. 23 UNLV and no. 24 Memphis also returns. Kansas State is narrowly hanging on to the No. 25 after their loss to Arizona State. Review the details from the latest rankings. — Eddie Timanus

Tensions are high and controversy is rising around the College Football Playoff rankings with less than three weeks to go before the field is set on Selection Sunday.

Part of this week’s debate centered on the status of Indiana, which has a schedule short on quality opponents but long on wins. The other flashpoint comes regarding the possibility of Boise State getting a first-round bye as one of the four highest-rated conference champions.

Listen to this week’s podcast with Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg here.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: [email protected]