Colorado might have lost four straight games, but a strong second half against No. 11 Utah, in which they took the lead before losing 27-24, earned some respect from one of college football's most-cited analytics models.
The Buffaloes moved up eight spots to No. 63 in ESPN's Football Power Index and now have a positive FPI score of 1.0. CU is also no longer in the Big 12's bottom two spots, slotting in at No. 14 ahead of West Virginia and Arizona State.
However, Colorado still has the worst projected record at 4.2-7.8 and the lowest chance at six wins at 13.6%, which would grant the Buffs bowl eligibility.
CU is looking for a win in the worst way possible, but at least the schedule doesn't let up this week, with the Buffs traveling to Stillwater to face the Big 12's top offense in the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Cowboys are coming off a narrow loss to Houston but moved up two spots in the latest FPI update, now the seventh-highest-ranked team in the Big 12 and No. 40 nationally.
Colorado football's updated FPI ranking after Week 7
- FPI Rank: No. 63 (No. 14 in Big 12)
- Projected win-loss record: 4.2-7.8
- Six-win chance: 13.6%
- CFP chance: 0.0%
- Big 12 title chance: 0.0%
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football climbs in ESPN FPI despite Week 7 loss