Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders pushes officials in loss that could keep the Buffaloes out of the College Football Playoff

Before Saturday, checked no. 16 Colorado’s own destiny for the College Football Playoff. Now the buffaloes face a steep hill.

The Buffaloes lost to unranked Kansas, 37-21, in their quest to earn an automatic bid to the 12-team postseason.

The Jayhawks jumped out to a 17-0 lead on their senior day. But early in the third quarter, the Buffaloes cut the deficit to two points after Travis Hunter’s second touchdown, which included a Heisman pose.

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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) looks to pass against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

But Kansas responded with a 10-play touchdown drive, then forced a three-and-out and found the end zone again to lead 37-21 in the fourth quarter. Running back Devin Neal scored all four of the Jayhawks’ touchdowns.

Colorado’s next drive resulted in a turnover on downs, all but icing the play.

In the third quarter there was a scrum between the players and the officials intervened.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes warms up before a game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

As that happened, Shedeur Sanders shoved one of the officials from behind, prompting rules analyst Mike Pereira to suggest that Sanders was “lucky” he wasn’t ejected.

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It was a microcosm of what was a frustrating day for the Buffaloes, who lost their third game of the season.

Kansas’ win marked the first time in FBS history that a team with a losing record won three straight games against ranked opponents. The Jayhawks are 5-6 on the season.

It remains to be seen what Colorado’s path to the College Football Playoff will be.

Arizona State, now 9-2 with a 6-2 conference record, leapfrogged Colorado (8-3, 6-2) in the Big 12 standings by beating BYU. BYU and Colorado share the same conference record, and BYU’s overall record is 9-2. Iowa State (8-2, 5-2) meets Utah at 7:30 PM ET and would jump Colorado with a win.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) passes the ball in the second quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Nick Tre. Smith/Imagn Images)

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Colorado would need a win at home against Oklahoma State and some sort of combination of Iowa State (home vs. Kansas State), Arizona State (at Arizona) and BYU (home vs. Houston) losses.

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