Paul Finebaum Makes Stunning Admission on Deion Sanders, Colorado 'Pipe Dream'

Pinch yourselves, college football fans, just to ensure this is reality. But yes, it happened on Tuesday: ESPN college football guru Paul Finebaum had some kind words for Colorado and the Buffaloes' controversial coach, Deion Sanders.

He even suggested that Colorado could do something almost unthinkable until the last few days -- earn a spot in the expanded CFB playoffs.

Speaking on "First Take," Finebaum started by saying, "The Big 12 is topsy-turvy right now. There are a lot of wins on that (Colorado) schedule that I didn't think were possible a couple of weeks ago."

Indeed, going through the remaining Colorado schedule, there are few spots that the Buffs won't be favored.  One such game comes this weekend at home against Kansas State, ranked No. 20 in the nation. But a win over the Wildcats would leave Colorado at 3-0 in the Big 12, with disappointing teams like Arizona, Utah, Kansas and Oklahoma State ahead.

Colorado also has Cincinnati and Texas Tech on the slate. It's not an imposing schedule, and the Buffaloes could easily land in the Big 12 championship game. From there, it's one win and off to the playoffs.

Remember, back in the summer, Colorado was projected to finish 11th in the conference by a media vote. That makes the Buff's status as a CFP contender all the more remarkable.

"There's no place on the schedule he can't win," Finebaum said. "I think the talk of them getting to the championship game of the Big 12 is realistic, and should they do that, should they win, they are in the playoffs. I know that sounded like a pipe dream a couple weeks ago."

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