Who will Colorado play in bowl game? Looking at Deion Sanders' Big 12 championship scenario

The Colorado Buffaloes finished their second season under Deion Sanders with a 9-3 record. The Buffaloes concluded the regular season with a dominant win over Oklahoma State on Friday night.

Colorado topped the Cowboys 52-0, with Heisman Trophy candidates Sheduer Sanders and Travis Hunter shining in the matchup. Sanders threw for 438 yards and five touchdowns, while Hunter caught 10 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns.

Sanders led the Buffaloes to their first postseason appearance since 2020 and their best season since 2016 when Colorado finished 10-4. With Colorado's win, the Big 12 Conference ended the season with a four-way tie in the conference standings.

Here is a look at Colorado's postseason scenario after their best season in nearly a decade.

Will Colorado play in the Big 12 Championship Game?

Despite finishing the regular season as one of four teams with a 7-2 record in conference play, the Colorado Buffaloes missed the Big 12 Championship Game along with BYU, who also boasted a 7-2 record in Big 12 matchups.

On Dec. 7, Arizona State will take on Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship. Arizona State, Colorado, BYU and Iowa State had four common opponents in the Big 12: Kansas, Utah, Kansas State and UCF. The Buffaloes finished just 2-2 in these four matchups, keeping them out of the conference championship due to the tiebreaker rules.

For Colorado to clinch a spot in the Big 12 Championship, the Buffaloes needed Arizona State, Iowa State or BYU to lose in Week 14. Unfortunately for the Buffaloes, each of these four teams won, meaning Colorado will miss the conference championship - and likely the College Football Playoff.

Colorado Bowl Game Scenario

At this point, it remains uncertain who the Buffaloes will take on this postseason. Following the Week 14 slate, Colorado is projected to take on BYU in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28. The Buffaloes have made the Alamo Bowl twice in the last decade, both of which were losses. Colorado will look to win their first bowl game since 2004.

BYU finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, entering Week 15 as the No. 17 team in the AP Top 25. The Cougars ended the regular season with a 30-18 win over Houston, costing the Buffaloes a spot in the Big 12 Championship game.