When you're in the bowl-projection business, it is essential to balance two competing instincts: the instinct to project the bowl schedule as it would look now, and the instinct to project the bowl schedule as it is likely to look after the season.

That leaves just three more bowl spots among 12 other teams. It could mark the first time in several years bowls won’t need to elevate the 5-7 team with the best Academic Progress Rate (APR) to fill out the field. Unfortunately, that means multiple eligible teams could get left out of the postseason.

Week 14 had several critical matchups that will shape the College Football Playoff and conference races. Our experts make picks for every Top 25 game.

THE COLORADO BUFFS TOOK A BIG TUMBLE IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS AFTER GETTING CLIPPED BY THE KANSAS JAYHAWKS THIS PAST SATURDAY. NOW? THEY'VE GOT WORK TO DO. THE ROAD TO THE BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP IS NO CAKEWALK—THEY'VE GOT TO WIN OUT,

Scouting report and TV channel for Colorado’s Big 12 matchup against Oklahoma State on Friday at Folsom Field.