Will Colorado reach the championship?

On December 1, 2024By Littum

Will Colorado football and Deion Sanders make it in the Big 12 championship game? Breakdown of tiebreak scenarios to play for berth in CFP bracket.

This story has been updated with new information.

Colorado football is among three Big 12 teams battling for the final spot in the Big 12 championship game as the final week of the regular season draws to a close.

The team that emerges will face Arizona State on Dec. 7 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Arizona State earned a spot in the conference championship with its 49-7 win over rival Arizona State on Saturday and TCU’s win over Cincinnati. The Big 12 announced nine teams remained in contention heading into the final weekend of the regular season, though that number had dropped to BYU, Colorado and Iowa State for the final spot near the end of Saturday’s games.

With Colorado beating Oklahoma State on Friday and Iowa State beat Kansas State on Saturday, the scenarios for the Big 12 championship game (and a chance to reach the College Football Playoff) will come down to the outcome of BYU’s game against Houston late Saturday night.

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Here’s a look at the 12 major tiebreaker scenarios and what needs to happen for each of the remaining teams to reach Arlington, Texas:

Big 12 tiebreakers, scenarios

Note: Some of these teams in various scenarios have already won but are still included

There are still two scenarios in play to break the ties in the Big 12 championship race, meaning Arizona State has already clinched a berth and wins by Colorado and Iowa State:

Scenario 1: BYU beats Houston to finish with 7-2 conference record (compares Arizona State, Iowa State and Colorado)

Arizona State and Iowa State would reach the Big 12 championship game.

Scenario 2: BYU loses to Houston

Arizona State and Colorado would reach in this scenario, which Buffaloes would earn the tiebreaker over Iowa State due to Texas Tech beating West Virginia on Saturday.

Can Colorado still reach the Big 12 Championship?

Yes, but Colorado needs help. The Buffaloes’ only path is for BYU to lose to Houston.

Colorado can’t make the Big 12 championship game without a BYU loss because of Arizona State’s win.

Big 12 football positions

Here’s a look at the current Big 12 football standings among teams still in contention for the conference championship:

T-1. Iowa State 10-2 (7-2)
T-1. Arizona State 9-3 (7-2)
T-1. Colorado 9-3 (7-2)
T-2. BYU 9-2 (6-2)