December 1st 2024.
In late November 2024, football fans at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado were treated to an intense game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Buffs, led by head coach Deion Sanders, were determined to secure a spot in the Big 12 championship game. However, despite their efforts, they fell short and are now in a bit of a holding pattern.
After their impressive performance on the field, the Buffaloes moved up three spots to No. 20 in the Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday. But their focus now shifts to the upcoming bowl game, which they will play later this month. The only catch is, they won't officially know where they're headed until Selection Day on December 8th.
Coach Sanders is already preparing his team for the challenge, saying, "We plan on going out there fighting, just like we fought today, regardless of where we are." He also expressed his wish to play in a bowl game close to Colorado, so that the team's dedicated fan base can attend and support them without breaking the bank.
It's highly likely that the Buffs will be heading to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on December 28th, although the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on December 27th is also a possibility. Despite their recent return to the Big 12 Conference, the Buffaloes' previous 13-year membership in the Pac-12 still plays a role in their bowl game options. For this year and the next, the two remaining Pac-12 teams and the 10 teams that have moved to other conferences are still contractually tied to Pac-12 bowl games.
Out of the 12 "Pac-12" teams, seven are bowl eligible. Oregon is almost guaranteed a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, either as the Big Ten champion or as an at-large team. Arizona State, who plays in the Big 12 title game on Saturday, could also potentially make it to the CFP if they win the conference.
Other bowl-eligible "Pac-12" teams include Washington State, California, USC, and Washington. After the 12-team CFP is set on December 8th, the remaining bowls will make their selections. The Alamo Bowl has the first choice among the old Pac-12 teams, and the other team in the Alamo will be from the Big 12. This makes for an interesting situation this year.
It's likely that BYU or Iowa State will represent the Big 12 in the Alamo Bowl, as Arizona State has already played both teams and it's unlikely they would face them again. This leaves Colorado as the most likely option for the Alamo Bowl. And Coach Sanders' team is a top choice for the bowl representatives, as they have generated impressive TV ratings for the past two seasons. Plus, the Buffs have two of the biggest stars in college football on their team: quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter, who is currently the frontrunner to win the Heisman Trophy.
Fans will be happy to know that Coach Sanders has confirmed that these star players will be playing in the bowl game. He said, "Our kids are gonna play in our bowl game because that's what we signed up to do and we're going to finish." He also emphasized the importance of setting a good example for their teammates and not "tapping out" because it could affect their performance in the next season.
In recent years, there has been a trend of top NFL prospects opting out of bowl games to avoid potential injuries before the draft. But it looks like that won't be the case for Shedeur and Hunter, who are projected to be top-five picks in the 2025 draft. So, whether the Buffs end up in San Antonio, San Diego, or elsewhere, fans will have one more chance to see these talented players in action.
Shedeur shared his thoughts on the upcoming bowl game, saying, "It's a team thing, that's what it boils down to. Me and Travis and a couple other players out there know the Buffs are not gonna look the same initially going down to the game. So we understand the piece we are to the team, just the leaders overall and the amount of players that would sit out if we weren't out there doing it. We gotta lead by example." He also mentioned a conversation he had with his dad (Coach Sanders) about not sitting out because it could affect the team's performance.
As the Buffs prepare for their bowl game, fans can sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all the latest analysis on Denver's teams. It's an exciting time for Colorado football and with Coach Sanders at the helm, the Buffs are sure to put on a show for their fans.
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