As college football season progresses, the Big 12 conference has taken on a new dimension of sorts as several teams are beginning to clash. Most weeks are entirely unpredictable, with a fresh mix-up of players disrupting the analyst’s rankings. New players have appeared, and new history is beginning to be written. It is obvious that not all the member teams of the Big 12 are considered equal.

In this changing environment, the Colorado Buffs, led by the versatile Deion Sanders, rank second in the ESPN BIG 12 football power index (FPI). However, a well-respected college football analyst, Josh Pate, has a different perspective that’s causing waves in the football community. While many analysts have been riding the Colorado hype train, Pate has surprisingly chosen not to promote Colorado as his top pick. Instead, he has cast doubt on their ability to clinch the Big 12 Championship, offering his support to other teams instead. This stance has certainly stirred the pot, as Pate’s take has opened up a broader analysis of the competitive nature of the Big 12 conference.

Josh Pate’s doubts cast a shadow over Colorado’s championship hopes

On his College Football Show, Pate expressed disbelief at the idea of Colorado ever becoming a championship team this season. In a bold statement, he even apologized for initially overlooking Iowa State in his early season picks for the Big 12 Championship. Pate’s reluctance to back Colorado as a legitimate Big 12 contender left many questioning why he wouldn’t ride the wave like the rest of the football world.

“The mistake was that I believed I hooked my cart to the wrong horse, and that was Oklahoma State. I apologize for that. Breaking news: Oklahoma State’s not going to be in the Big 12 Championship game. However, Iowa State is still in the mix,” Pate said, firmly shifting his focus away from Colorado. This comment sent shockwaves, as fans had largely pegged the Buffaloes as one of the top teams to watch this season.

While the ESPN FPI has the Buffs ranked second, Pate doesn’t see them in the same light. Instead, he has favored teams like Iowa State, Kansas State, and Utah, positioning them as stronger contenders for the championship. “Right now, the new odds have Iowa State favored to win it all,” he said, underlining his belief that the Cyclones are the team to watch, not the Buffaloes.

Pate’s dismissal of Colorado didn’t stop there. He went on to emphasize that while the Buffs have been performing well, he believes their path to the Big 12 Championship is far from certain. “I believe we still have a deep field of about ten teams that could conceivably win the Big 12 Championship,” Pate explained. He listed teams like Kansas State and Utah as serious competitors, arguing that Colorado’s success this season doesn’t automatically guarantee them a top spot in the title race.

Josh Pate’s perspective on the Big 12 championship

The conference is stacked with talent, and even though Colorado is ranked second in the FPI, Pate doesn’t believe they have what it takes to clinch the title. Instead, he places his faith in teams like Iowa State, whose performances he feels have been more consistent.

Pate’s unwavering support for teams like Iowa State and Utah makes it clear that he views the Big 12 as a fiercely competitive conference. His outlook reflects the belief that no single team has an easy path to the championship, despite Colorado’s strong start. As more fans rally behind the Buffaloes, it will be fascinating to see how the rest of the season plays out and whether Pate’s predictions hold water.

In conclusion, while many are backing Deion Sanders and his Colorado squad, Josh Pate’s provocative take reminds us that the road to a championship in the Big 12 is anything but certain. Whether Colorado can prove Pate wrong and rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – the Big 12 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting conferences this season.