Deion Sanders, Colorado Jump 2 Spots in Week 11 AP College Football Poll in Bye Week

The Colorado Buffaloes had a bye this past week. It ended up working out just fine for them in the polls.

Deion Sanders' charges moved up to No. 21 in the Week 11 Associated Press Poll, an increase of two spots from last week.

Colorado, which sits at 6-2 on the season, was ranked for the first time last week after beating Cincinnati, 34-23. It was the team's second straight win in the Big 12 after smoking Arizona, 34-7.

"We have earned where we are," head coach Deion Sanders told reporters before the Cincy win. "We actually feel like we're better than what we are. Because we are just starting to see the fruit of the work and the understanding of the expectation that we have for ourselves. Forget what others have for us, but what we have for ourselves."

The team's Week 2 loss to Nebraska doesn't look quite as good in hindsight, as the Cornhuskers are just 5-4 on the year. The team also lost to Kansas State earlier in October, with the Wildcats (7-2) surprisingly ranked 22nd in the latest AP Poll, one spot below the Buffaloes.

Both teams are trying to catch No. 9 BYU (8-0, 5-0 in conference) and No. 17 Iowa State (7-1, 4-1) in the Big 12 with a spot in the championship game on the line. Colorado's remaining schedule includes conference matchups against Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas and Oklahoma State. Of that group, only the Red Raiders (6-3) currently have a winning record.

Behind star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way dynamo Travis Hunter, the Buffs are in the hunt for a conference title. Win out, and they'll not only potentially have a shot in the conference title game, but perhaps the College Football Playoff as well.

There's a lot of football left to be played before that talk, however.