No. 20 Colorado remains in the College Football Playoff race with Heisman contender Travis Hunter's impressive play.

Colorado just might be a playoff team after all.

The 20th-ranked Buffaloes defeated Texas Tech 41-27 in Lubbock on Saturday, boosting their chances of making the College Football Playoffs.

The Buffaloes turned it on after Texas Tech took a 13-0 lead.

LaJohntay Wester was found for a 23-yard touchdown by Sedeur Sanders, and the Buffs scored a field goal just before halftime, making the game a three-point contest.

During the second half, Sanders scored a touchdown for Colorado, taking their lead. However, the Red Raiders responded with a touchdown of their own, reclaiming the lead. Nevertheless, the Colorado offense remained strong, and Sanders threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Will Sheppard, giving the Buffs a 24-20 advantage.

Colorado believed it had forced a three and out on its next defensive drive.

The Buffaloes took advantage of Texas Tech's faked punt, which resulted in an incomplete pass, giving them great field position. This time, Sanders and Travis Hunter connected for a 24-yard touchdown, increasing their lead to 31-20.

With two minutes remaining, Texas Tech scored a touchdown, forcing a three and out. With 63 seconds left, the Red Raiders began a potential game-tying drive at their own 6, but Behren Morton fumbled, and Shilo Sanders picked it up and scored a touchdown, leaving the Red Raiders struggling to keep up.

After Coach Deion Sanders endorsed Hunter for the Heisman Trophy, the latter demonstrated why the coach believes in him by catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. On the other hand, Shedeur had 30 successful passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns.

Colorado's defense was impressive, with 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. This was the team's fourth road win of the season, their most since 2002.

The Buffaloes have a 7-2 record after winning only four games last season. Their final three games are at home against Utah, at Kansas, and home against Oklahoma State. These three teams have a combined 10-16 record this season, with a 3-14 record against Big 12 opponents.

The Buffaloes are on the fast track to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the Big 12 title game. As the second-place team in the conference, they have control over their own destiny.

An at-large bid and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff could be earned by them if they win the title game.

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