Bracketology 2024: Latest Bubble Watch of key teams in late February

Cincinnati (16-9) (NET: 37)
3-6 (Q1), 2-2 (Q2), 3-1 (Q3), 8-0 (Q4)

There was nothing notable about Cincinnati’s nonconference slate, but they’ve secured a few Quad 1 wins here in Big 12 play. They won a shocker at BYU in their first-ever league game in this Big 12 and added wins at Texas Tech and UCF in recent weeks.

Winning those road games was great, but the road loss at West Virginia in late January sits at Quad 3 and certainly hurts the resume. There’s nothing else too notable, as the Bearcats didn’t drop any real clunkers, aside from Quad 2 home defeats against Oklahoma and Texas back in January.

The Bearcats still have a nice NET but have won just four of their last eleven games. Limping into the postseason won’t get them into the Big Dance, even with this conference and resume supporting them. There are some brutal road games ahead, but Cincinnati might need another upset or two to secure their place.

Colorado (17-9) (NET: 42)
1-5 (Q1), 6-4 (Q2), 3-0 (Q3), 7-0 (Q4)

The only Quad 1 victory for this Buffaloes program came via a road win at Washington nearly a month ago. They haven’t had many opportunities this season for that, with a blowout win over Miami sitting at Quad 2 and few other chances in nonconference play.

Fortunately, Colorado has avoided the bad losses, with none of them coming lower than Quad 2. Failing to win against Florida State, California, and Arizona State might be disappointing, but it could certainly be worse, especially as the Buffaloes have lost four of their last six games.

Two blowout losses to Arizona compound their issues: there just aren’t a ton of opportunities in this year’s version of the Pac-12. Their road win at USC on Saturday was just a Quad 2 win, though it’s nice to see that the Buffaloes can win away from home. Their chance to dance might rest on a road game at Oregon in the final week of the regular season.