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Colorado Football Rooting Guide for Week 10 Games

Excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the Colorado Buffaloes will be competing for a conference championship in November for the first time since 2016.

Head coach Deion Sanders' Buffs are 6-2 and are off to a 4-1 start in Big 12 play, but with Iowa State and BYU undefeated heading into Week 10, Colorado needs help to reach the conference title game to reach. Simply put, the Buffs are tough against Iowa State, BYU and Kansas State, who are also 4-1 in Big 12 play with a win over CU.

After losses to Nebraska and Kansas State, Colorado's only path to reaching the 12-team College Football Playoff is likely by winning the Big 12. An outright bid isn't entirely out of the question, but Colorado would need significant help (more). more on this below).

As the Buffs enjoy their second and final bye week of the regular season, here is a CU football rooting guide for Week 10's games:

Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Start: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT (ESPN)

A week before its game against Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2 Big 12), Colorado will be hoping the Red Raiders beat Iowa State (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) in Ames. The Cyclones are one of three Big 12 teams ahead of the Buffs in the conference standings, meaning they have to lose at least once to get overtaken.

Syndicated: The Oklahoman

Start: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT (Fox)

Kansas State (7-1, 4-1) handed Colorado its only Big 12 loss earlier this season, so the Buffs will need a Wildcats loss at some point to reach the conference title game (assuming Colorado wins).

Luckily for the Buffs, Kansas State and Iowa State meet in the final week of the regular season.

Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Start: Saturday at 6 p.m. MT (ESPN2)

This and the three games listed below aren't nearly as important as Texas Tech-Iowa State and Houston-Kansas State, but Colorado should choose Baylor (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) over TCU (5-3, 3rd). ) decide -2 Big 12) for two reasons: Colorado has already beaten Baylor (increased win value) and TCU is one game closer to the Buffs in the Big 12 standings.

Syndicated: The Oklahoman

Start: Saturday at 5 p.m. MT (Fox)

At 2-2 in conference play, Arizona State (5-2 overall) isn't currently a contender for the Big 12 title, but the Sun Devils' win could make things interesting. Additionally, Colorado will face Oklahoma State (3-5, 0-5 Big 12) in Week 14.

Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Start: Saturday at 6 p.m. MT (CBS Sports Network)

Unless it hurts them in the Big 12 standings, the Buffs should hope their previous opponents win every week. Colorado's strength of schedule will look much better if CSU (5-3, 3-0 Mountain West) continues to play through its conference slate.

Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Start: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT (Big Ten Network)

Colorado's Week 2 loss in Lincoln won't look so bad if the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) get their season back on track.

Brian Losness-Imagn Images

Colorado fans also have a lot of interest in the Heisman race, with cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders among the top contenders. Their main competitors include Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (vs. San Diego State Aztecs, Friday at 6:00 p.m. MT), Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (at Michigan Wolverines, Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT) and Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (vs. Duke Blue Devils, Saturday at 10 a.m. MT).