College football Week 11 preview highlights how Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes can make the College Football Playoff (CFP). With a strong performance in the Big 12, the Buffaloes find themselves in a prime position to secure a spot in the expanded playoff format.
The latest College Football Playoff rankings, released on Tuesday night, showcase the dominance of Big Ten teams, with Oregon and Ohio State occupying the top two positions. Ohio State, boasting a season record of 7-1, is coming off a hard-fought 20-13 victory over Penn State and is set to host Purdue this weekend at 12 p.m. ET on FOX (available on the FOX Sports App). The Buckeyes have an impressive streak, having won 45 consecutive games against unranked teams, their last defeat in this category dating back to 2018 against Purdue.
This weekend also features several key matchups, including Colorado’s clash with Texas Tech and two significant SEC battles: No. 3 Georgia visiting No. 16 Ole Miss, and No. 15 LSU hosting No. 11 Alabama at Tiger Stadium.
Laken Litman: Although Ohio State’s victory against Penn State was not a landmark moment for the program, it was crucial for the Buckeyes to avoid a second loss in the Big Ten. With the challenging top-five matchup behind them, Ryan Day’s squad now has a clear trajectory toward the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff.
Following their game against Purdue, Ohio State will face Northwestern on the road, then return home to host Indiana and Michigan to wrap up the regular season. With a talented roster, the Buckeyes are confident in their ability to finish strong. Even if they face Oregon again in the conference title game and lose, their chances of making the 12-team playoff remain intact.
RJ Young: A fast start is essential.
Purdue is struggling, currently sitting at the bottom of the Big Ten standings. The Boilermakers recently parted ways with their offensive coordinator and have faced challenges, including the absence of starter Hudson Card. They have yet to secure a win against an FBS opponent. This season, Ohio State needs to demonstrate their superiority over teams like Purdue.
In previous seasons, the Buckeyes would aim for a specific margin of victory against teams like Purdue. If Ohio State’s starters remain in the game beyond the first series of the third quarter, doubts about their ability to contend for a national title could arise, especially if their playoff entry hinges on style points. November is a critical month, and Ohio State must not underestimate their opponents.
With Kansas State and Iowa State both losing last weekend, the Big 12 title race appears wide open, with BYU leading and Colorado also in contention. Can Deion Sanders’ team realistically aim for the conference title and a spot in the 12-team CFP?
RJ: Absolutely. Following the CFP selection committee’s initial rankings, Colorado has one remaining game against a team with a winning record, Texas Tech (6-3). They also face Utah (4-4), Kansas (2-6), and Oklahoma State (3-6). Winning this Saturday could be their toughest challenge left, but they need to win out and hope Iowa State loses to Kansas State on Nov. 30 to secure a spot in the Big 12 title game.
If Colorado finishes with a win streak, it would mark their first 10-win season since 2016, when they finished at No. 10 in the Selection Sunday rankings, earning a spot in the 12-team CFP during the four-team era.
Laken: Yes, Colorado is on the bubble for the Big 12 title game and CFP. Several factors need to align for them. First, they must win all remaining games. This is a challenging task, especially against Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State. A victory over Texas Tech on the road will be particularly tough, but it is achievable.
If the Buffaloes avoid further losses, they will need to surpass either Iowa State or BYU in the Big 12 standings. The Cougars might be a tough opponent, with no ranked teams left on their schedule. However, Iowa State, who recently lost their first game of the season to Texas Tech, has a crucial matchup against Kansas State on Nov. 30. If Colorado’s hopes materialize, an Iowa State loss would pave the way for the Buffaloes to advance to the Big 12 title game.
If Deion Sanders and his team can clinch the Big 12 title, they will secure a place in the CFP. However, a third loss would eliminate their chances.
The Heisman Trophy race is heating up, featuring contenders like Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, Dillon Gabriel, and Cam Ward. Who stands out as the favorite heading into Week 11 of the college football season?
Laken: Travis Hunter.
As a standout two-way player, Hunter’s impact is unparalleled. In Colorado’s recent 34-23 victory over Cincinnati, he recorded nine catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns while also breaking up four passes on defense. His ability to influence both offensive and defensive plays could be pivotal for Colorado as they pursue a Big 12 title and a potential CFP berth.
Without Hunter, the Buffaloes would struggle on both sides of the ball. Despite having other playmakers like Shedeur Sanders and Jimmy Horne, Hunter’s defensive presence limits opponents’ offensive options.
While standout players like Ashton Jeanty, who is on track to break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record, and Dillon Gabriel, who is poised to become the sport’s all-time leading passer, deserve recognition, Hunter’s unique contributions make him a standout candidate. He is a rare talent that Heisman voters should acknowledge.
As Indiana and BYU enter Week 11 undefeated and at the top of their conferences, which program has been the bigger surprise this season?
RJ: Indiana, without a doubt.
BYU has a history of success, including a national championship and a Heisman winner. Indiana, however, has never achieved such accolades and is on track to win 10 games for the first time in school history, with a chance to compete for a national title.
The Hoosiers have reached their highest-ever ranking in the CFP at No. 8, a significant improvement from their previous high of No. 11 in 2020. They have demonstrated their capability to compete at the level of elite teams like Oregon and Ohio State. For instance, Ohio State defeated Michigan State 38-7, Oregon won 31-10 against the same opponent, while Indiana dominated Michigan State 47-10.
Unless Indiana or Ohio State suffers a significant loss, the highly anticipated matchup between the two on Nov. 23 will likely determine which team secures a spot in the CFP when the bracket is finalized on Dec. 4.
Laken: Indiana.
The Hoosiers stand at 9-0 and are ranked No. 8 in the first CFP poll. At the beginning of the season, they were projected to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten. With a new head coach, Curt Cignetti from James Madison, and a transfer quarterback, Kurtis Rourke from Ohio, these predictions seemed justified. However, Rourke has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks nationally, ranking second in QBR (91.6) and completion percentage (73.3) while throwing 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions, significantly contributing to Indiana’s success.
Critics point out that the Hoosiers have not faced a ranked opponent yet. However, this is also true for Miami, another unbeaten team currently ranked No. 4. Indiana can only compete against the teams on their schedule, and they still have a viable path to the Big Ten Championship and the CFP if they can win their remaining games, including a crucial showdown against No. 3 Ohio State on Nov. 23.
