The surging Colorado Buffaloes continue to win and climb in the national rankings.

On Tuesday night, CU moved up to No. 17 in the latest College Football Playoff selection committee rankings.

The Buffs (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) moved up three spots from last week’s first CFP rankings. It is CU’s best CFP ranking since landing at No. 10 in the final rankings of 2016.

CU is coming off a 41-27 win at Texas Tech on Saturday and will face Utah (4-5, 1-5) on Saturday at Folsom Field (10 a.m., Fox).

Ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press poll, CU has won three in a row and moved up to sole possession of second place in the Big 12. In first is BYU, which sits at No. 6 in the CFP rankings. If both teams win out, they’ll meet in the Big 12 title game — and a spot in the 12-team CFP tournament — on Dec. 7 in Arlington, Texas.

Cokes, Horn on mend

CU receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. went down with an injury early in Saturday’s win at Texas Tech and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said “it’s gonna be day by day,” on whether Horn can play this week.

“We hope he’s able to work Thursday,” Sanders said. “If he can give us a good Thursday, Friday, then he’s a go. Jimmy is the kind of guy that he likes to practice, but I don’t think he’s capable right now, but you never know how that will change by Thursday, by week’s end.”

Horn has caught 33 passes for 434 yards and a touchdown this season, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders said the Buffs had a lot in the game plan for him at Texas Tech. Horn was limited to only five offensive snaps, however, and went out after a kickoff return.

“Tremendous asset to our offense,” Coach Prime said. “He’s in the training room early, getting his treatment, and we’re praying for him right now.”

Meanwhile, defensive lineman Shane Cokes, who missed last week’s game with an injury, might miss the Utah game, as well, but is expected to return this season.

“Yeah, you’re definitely going to see him this season,” Coach Prime said. “I don’t know about this week, but you’re definitely going to see him this season, especially with the Shane Cokes I know.”

Brown still cross-training

With Cokes out last week, guard Tyler Brown practiced at defensive line. He didn’t get into the game on defense, but he started at left guard and was CU’s highest-rated pass blocker, per Pro Football Focus.

“He’s there if we need him, when we need him,” Coach Prime said. “Defensive line did a great job last week, and we didn’t need him as expected. But the first guy goes down, he needs to go in that rotation. And once he develops and gets a little better, he’ll be in the rotation. He won’t have to wait for something bad to happen.

“The guy played his butt off offensively. It’s amazing that one of his best offensive games last week, and he spent time all week long playing both ways. I’m proud of him 100%.”

QB switch for Utes

Injuries continue to pile up for Utah. On Tuesday, head coach Kyle Whittingham announced that sophomore quarterback Brandon Rose is out for the season with a lower leg injury.

Utah has played most of this season without star quarterback Cameron Rising, who is out for the year. Seeking an offensive spark, Utah gave Rose his first career start on Saturday against BYU, and he threw two touchdown passes in a 22-21 loss. True freshman Isaac Wilson will return to the starting role for the Utes. The younger brother of Denver Broncos backup Zach Wilson, Isaac has started five games this season. He’s thrown for 1,200 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 55.4% of his passes.

Whittingham also confirmed that standout tight end Brant Kuithe suffered a season-ending injury against BYU.