At least Colorado understands the circumstances it faces with a bowl bid still up for grabs.

"It's been a one-game season for us for a long time," defensive tackle George Hypolite said.

The reference was to both the simplistic approach all coaches maintain, but also applies literally to the last game on the schedule. With a 30-17 loss against Oklahoma State on Nov. 15, the Buffaloes stand 5-6 overall, 2-5 in the Big 12. They must win at Nebraska on Nov. 28 to become bowl-eligible.

Nothing could help coach Dan Hawkins and his staff as much as a bowl game to give his young team more practices as well as a reward for a trying season.

But if Colorado fails to qualify, it can look back at the inability to make key plays on both sides of the ball, a problem that cost the Buffs again against Oklahoma State.

One fumble killed a potential scoring drive and another set up the Cowboys for a field goal, plus the Buffs missed a field goal and dropped a pass in the end zone. Defensively, they allowed big gainers at inopportune times to undercut what's been a solid unit.

"We're shooting ourselves in the foot," running back Demetrius Sumler said. "We get a good offensive drive going, but then we just kill ourselves. We have to be able to smell blood and punch it in."

These are problems best cured by experience. Unfortunately for the Buffs, that's going to take time over the upcoming seasons, when Hawkins again must try to upgrade his talent level with better recruits. At least a large number of freshmen and sophomores have learned under fire this season.

SEASON RECAP

Colorado 38, Colorado State 17 -- Josh Smith stole the show, racking up 189 all-purpose yards, including a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Colorado's win over Colorado State.

Colorado 31, Eastern Washington 24 -- CB Cha'pelle Brown returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown with 1:44 remaining to lift Colorado past Eastern Washington. The Buffaloes trailed the FCS visitors from the Big Sky by 14 points at halftime before allowing just three second-half points.

Colorado 17, West Virginia 14 (OT) -- Freshman TB Rodney Stewart rushed for 166 yards on 28 carries as Colorado outlasted West Virginia. PK Aric Goodman connected on a 25-yard field goal in the OT after the Mountaineers had the first possession and missed a 23-yard field goal.

Florida State 39, Colorado 21 -- Antone Smith rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns as Florida State handed Colorado its first defeat. The Buffs cut the deficit to 25-14 when TE Riar Geer caught a touchdown pass from Cody Hawkins early in the fourth quarter, but the Seminoles returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.

Texas 38, Colorado 14 -- Colorado missed three first-half field goals and was unable to generate a ground attack while tumbling at home against No. 5 Texas. QB Cody Hawkins was forced to throw and completed just 13 of 33 passes for 118 yards.

Kansas 30, Colorado 14 -- No. 16 Kansas produced three second-half touchdowns and outlasted Colorado. The Jayhawks led just 9-7 at halftime, but effectively moved the football into a stiff south wind for two fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Buffaloes defense withered and their offense generated just 233 total yards.

Colorado 14, Kansas State 13 -- True freshman QB Tyler Hansen removed his redshirt and rushed for 86 yards while throwing for 71 to ignite Colorado past Kansas State and snap a three-game losing streak. The Buffs generated a takeaway in their own territory with 5:17 remaining and also made a stop in the closing seconds while holding the Wildcats to 30 fewer points than their season average.

Missouri 58, Colorado 0 -- QB Chase Daniel set a Missouri record by completing 83f his passes, going 31 of 37 for 302 yards and five touchdowns as the Tigers riddled Colorado. The loss ended a 242-game streak without a shutout and was the worst for Colorado since a 70-3 rout it suffered against Texas in the 2005 Big 12 championship game.

Texas A&M 24, Colorado 17 -- The Buffaloes built a halftime lead and outgained the Aggies, but three turnovers Colorado committed proved costly in the road defeat. Colorado ended a scoreless string of 104 minutes, 17 seconds with a first-quarter touchdown run by Rodney Stewart, who later broke his leg and was lost for the season.

Colorado 28, Iowa State 24 -- QB Cody Hawkins entered as a sub in the second half and steered Colorado to a victory against Iowa State by completing 20 of 29 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns. The Buffaloes preserved the win with a goal-line stand in the final seconds, holding Iowa State out of the end zone after the Cyclones had reached the 1-yard line.

Oklahoma State 30, Colorado 17 -- Colorado didn't score until the 3:12 mark of the second quarter, when Aric Goodman connected on a 31-yard field goal, and the lack of production proved costly. Cowboys quarterback Zac Robinson, playing in his home state for the first time since leaving high school, threw for 217 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another.

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