Colorado's Playoff Hopes Take a Hit in 37-21 Loss to Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Colorado’s path to the Big 12 Championship Game and a potential College Football Playoff berth became much more complicated on Saturday after a dominant 37-21 loss to Kansas. The Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2) entered the game riding a four-game winning streak, with their sights set on Arlington, Texas, and the Big 12 title game. However, a ferocious performance from Kansas running back Devin Neal and a bruising ground game derailed those hopes and left Colorado in a three-way tie atop the conference standings.
The Jayhawks (5-6, 4-4) outplayed Colorado in nearly every facet of the game, rushing for 331 yards compared to just 42 for the Buffaloes. With zero punts and no turnovers, Kansas dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for over 40 minutes. Neal, who had 207 rushing yards on a career-high 37 carries, was the main catalyst, scoring four touchdowns and controlling the tempo of the game from start to finish.
A Historic Performance from Devin Neal
Neal’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as the senior running back set the tone early and never let up. Along with his 207 rushing yards, Neal added 80 yards receiving on four catches, leading Kansas to an impressive 520 total yards of offense. His four touchdowns kept the Buffaloes’ defense on their heels all day, and despite Colorado’s best efforts, the Jayhawks were unstoppable.
In what was Neal's senior day at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas head coach Lance Leipold couldn't have asked for a better send-off from his star running back. "He's truly a special back," Leipold said. "Fittingly so, for him to play his last home game, no matter where we're playing at the moment, for him to have that type of game really puts an exclamation mark on his performance and career here."
The Jayhawks’ success was rooted in their relentless commitment to the run game. Kansas converted on 11 third- or fourth-down situations, keeping Colorado's defense on the field for long stretches and limiting the Buffaloes' offensive opportunities. In contrast, Colorado struggled to sustain drives, with key mistakes early in the game contributing to the lopsided scoreline.
Early Mistakes and Colorado’s Slow Start
Colorado's slow start proved costly. The Buffaloes went three-and-out on their opening drive, which left their defense on the field for the next 11 minutes as Kansas jumped to a 10-0 lead. A failed fourth-down conversion on the next possession, with running back Dallan Hayden coming up just a yard short on a fourth-and-3 at the Kansas 41-yard line, further put Colorado behind the eight ball.
Eight plays later, the Jayhawks found the end zone again, pushing their lead to 17-0 before the game was even midway through the second quarter. Colorado was playing catch-up from that point forward, and their offense never found a rhythm.
Despite a strong individual performance from Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter, who caught eight passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns, the Buffaloes’ offense was unable to overcome the early deficit. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns, but his three incompletions in the first quarter and early struggles put Colorado in an uphill battle the entire game.
Kansas Exploits Colorado’s Defensive Struggles
While Colorado’s offense couldn’t get off the ground, Kansas ran roughshod over the Buffaloes’ defense. Colorado’s defense, which had been one of the most improved units in the country this season, had no answers for Neal and quarterback Jalon Daniels, who played efficient football under center. The Buffaloes' inability to stop Kansas on third downs and their struggles in the trenches were evident, as the Jayhawks churned out 331 rushing yards and controlled the clock for over 40 minutes of play.
Coach Deion Sanders was visibly frustrated with his team’s performance, particularly on defense. "We could not stop the bleeding," Sanders admitted. "We tried consistently, but we could not stop the bleeding. That's hats off to them. They were physical. They out-physicaled us. They outplayed us. They wanted it a lot more than we did."
Even Colorado's defensive coordinator, Robert Livingston, who had been praised for his unit's improvements this season, couldn't find a solution. "They didn't punt one time," Sanders pointed out, underscoring the inefficiency of his defense in getting Kansas off the field. Despite Livingston's best efforts with his game plan, the Jayhawks' offense proved to be too much to handle.
Colorado’s Big 12 Title Hopes Now in Doubt
After a promising start to the season, the Buffaloes are now in a precarious position in the Big 12 standings. The loss to Kansas, coupled with their three-way tie atop the conference with Arizona State, BYU, and Iowa State, has left Colorado needing help to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game.
If all four teams finish tied at 7-2 in conference play, the Big 12’s tiebreaker policy will send Arizona State to the title game based on their head-to-head win over Colorado. The Buffaloes now must win their final game against Oklahoma State (3-8, 0-8) on Friday and hope for favorable results in the other matchups to stay alive in the conference race.
Despite the setback, Coach Sanders remains optimistic that his team will regroup and be ready for their regular-season finale. "You’ve got to refocus your young men and let them understand this is not about turkey and dumplings and cranberry sauce and whatever you have," Sanders said. "It's not about that. It's about football, man."
Kansas’ Historic Resurgence
For Kansas, the win was a major statement after a rocky start to the season. After a 1-5 beginning, the Jayhawks have rallied with three consecutive wins over Top 25 opponents, including victories over Oklahoma State and now Colorado. With their win, they improved to 5-6 and can clinch bowl eligibility with a win next week at Baylor, something they have never achieved in back-to-back seasons.
Leipold praised his team’s resilience and resolve, noting how the Jayhawks had weathered adversity and continued to improve as the season went on. "There was a lot of negativity hanging around about what was wrong with this program and what should be done," Leipold said. "We've talked about how close we were for a long time. They owned it, they kept working, they stuck together, and you can see the results of that. I think it's something that's truly special."
What's Next for Colorado?
For Colorado, it’s a critical week ahead. The Buffaloes will need to quickly put this disappointing loss behind them as they prepare for their final regular-season game against a struggling Oklahoma State team. With a Big 12 Championship appearance now hanging in the balance, Deion Sanders' squad will need to refocus and play their best football if they hope to stay alive in the race.
Colorado’s once-promising playoff hopes are now uncertain, and a loss in their final regular-season game would not only end their Big 12 title aspirations but also deal a devastating blow to their College Football Playoff chances. With so much on the line, Sanders knows that his team must come together and finish strong.
Key Takeaways:
Devin Neal’s Dominance: Neal’s 287 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns led Kansas to a controlling win over Colorado.
Slow Start Costs Colorado: Early mistakes and an inability to stop Kansas' run game left Colorado with too much ground to make up.
Colorado’s Big 12 Title Hopes Are Complicated: The loss to Kansas has left the Buffaloes in a three-way tie atop the Big 12 standings, with a tough road ahead.
Kansas’ Remarkable Resurgence: After a 1-5 start, the Jayhawks are now one win away from bowl eligibility and have defeated three consecutive ranked opponents.
With everything to play for in their season finale, the Buffaloes must refocus quickly if they hope to salvage a shot at the Big 12 Championship and a possible Playoff bid.
Author
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
