Deadspin | No. 25 Colorado needs win over OK State, help for title game

[ad_1] Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive again Travis Hunter (12) seems on throughout the first quarter in opposition to the Utah Utes at Folsom Area. Obligatory Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photographs No. 25 Colorado must care for enterprise in opposition to visiting Oklahoma State on Friday in Boulder, Colo., after which hope for some assist from different groups to get to the Massive 12 Championship.

A 37-21 loss in opposition to abruptly red-hot Kansas final week at Arrowhead Stadium snapped Colorado's four-game profitable streak and left the Buffaloes in a four-way tie for first place.

Nonetheless, the tiebreakers make Colorado (8-3, 6-2 Massive 12) an extended shot to make subsequent week's championship sport in Arlington, Texas. The Buffaloes should win however additionally they want two of the three groups -- BYU, Arizona State or Iowa State -- to lose this weekend.

"Powerful week, after all. We plan to reply accordingly to get our little swagger again and repair the issues we let down final week," Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders stated. "It was an amazing sport. We nonetheless bought just a little bit hanging on, we are attempting to flush it, belief me, we are attempting to flush it tremendously."

Oklahoma State (3-8, 0-8) limps to the end line within the worst season it is had beneath veteran coach Mike Gundy. The Cowboys will not go to a bowl sport for the primary time since 2005.

With Gundy on the sidelines, the Cowboys have crushed a ranked staff for 19 straight years. They will have a closing likelihood to take action as they attempt to snap an eight-game dropping skid. Gundy has stated he plans to return for his twenty first season main the Cowboys' program subsequent fall.

"This staff, just like the final one, just isn't enjoying indicative of their document," Sanders stated. "They're much higher. They've a profitable program and probably the most heralded coaches within the Massive 12 that I've the utmost respect for."

Maealiuaki Smith made his first profession begin final week for OSU in a 56-48 dwelling loss to Texas Tech. The freshman threw for 326 yards, accomplished 72 p.c of his passes, had two touchdowns and an interception, and was named the Massive 12 Newcomer of the Week.

"Till (a quarterback) will get on the market and performs a complete sport," Gundy stated. "Till they really feel like nobody is trying over their shoulder, you by no means understand how they will react. I assumed he had poise and performed with confidence."

After a gradual begin to the season, Ollie Gordon II has posted back-to-back 100-yard speeding video games. He had 156 yards and three touchdowns on simply 15 carries final week and leads the Cowboys with 870 speeding yards and 13 touchdowns.

De'Zhaun Stribling has 50 catches for 872 yards and 6 scores. Brennan Presley has leads the staff with 82 catches for 725 yards and a team-high seven receiving touchdowns.

For Colorado, Shedeur Sanders has 3,488 passing yards, connecting on 73.4 p.c of his passes with 30 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Two-way star Travis Hunter has racked up 1,036 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Hunter has damaged up 9 passes, made three picks and compelled a fumble on protection. Colorado's protection leads the Massive 12 with 34 sacks and 10 fumble recoveries.