With a month to play in the regular season, it’s official that the Colorado Buffaloes will go bowling.

Where the No. 23 Buffs will be heading during the holiday season is still up in the air, and a lot of results over the next four weeks will determine their fate, but it’s not too early to look at the possibilities.

Although the Buffs (6-2, 4-1 Big 12), who are on a bye this week, are having success during their return season to the Big 12, their 13-year membership in the Pac-12 is still a factor. For this year and 2025, the two remaining Pac-12 teams and the 10 teams who have since scattered elsewhere are still affiliated with the bowl games tied to the conference in the recent past.

So, when looking at CU’s bowl possibilities, we must compare the Buffs to the Pac-12 and not the Big 12 schools. Heading into this week, only three of the “Pac-12” teams are bowl eligible: No. 1 Oregon (8-0), No. 22 Washington State (7-1) and Colorado.

Arizona State (5-2) is a win away from bowl eligibility, while five teams — California, Oregon State, USC, Utah and Washington — are all 4-4 and need two wins. Arizona (3-5), UCLA (2-5) and Stanford (2-6) all appear to be long shots for the postseason.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at CU’s bowl possibilities, in order of selection process:

College Football Playoff

When/where >> TBD

Oregon is leading the Big Ten but is also the top “Pac-12” team this season. With four games left, the Ducks look to be on track to land one of the 12 spots in the CFP, either as Big Ten champ or as an at-large. Oregon getting to the CFP impacts CU because that would take the Ducks out of the Pac-12 pecking order for other bowls. The Buffs could get to the CFP as the Big 12 champion, but they need some help to get to the title game. The Buffs also have an outside shot to get into the CFP without a Big 12 title if they can finish 10-2 and climb into the top 12 of the final rankings. Washington State could potentially sneak in as the top-ranked non-Power 4 school, but the Cougars are currently behind Boise State (No. 15) and Army (No. 21) and have a loss to Boise State, so their path isn’t easy.

Alamo Bowl

When/where >> Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m.; Alamodome in San Antonio

Matchup >> Pac-12 vs. Big 12

CU’s previous appearances >> 2002, 2016 and 2020

After the 12-team CFP is set, the Alamo Bowl has first choice among the remaining bowl eligible “Pac-12” schools. Overall record and CFP ranking will matter to the Alamo Bowl representatives, but they may select any of the bowl-eligible teams they want, regardless of record.

Assuming Oregon gets to the CFP, Colorado is likely the most attractive team for the Alamo because of the Buffs’ success, as well as their star power with head coach Deion Sanders, his sons Shedeur and Shilo, and Heisman Trophy candidate Travis Hunter. One thing that could take CU out of play here is that the second team in this game will come from the Big 12 and the Alamo will look to avoid a regular-season rematch. If Kansas State — which beat CU on Oct. 12 — is the Big 12 representative, CU likely won’t get picked. There is a chance, however, to see the Buffs take on BYU or Iowa State. Washington State and USC could be other top options for the Pac-12’s spot.

Holiday Bowl

When/where >> Dec. 27, 6 p.m., Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego

Matchup >> Pac-12 vs. ACC

CU’s previous appearances >> 1996

Unlike the Alamo Bowl, the Holiday (and others on the list) have to make a choice based on overall record. However, there is a “plus-one” rule, meaning they can chose a team whose record is within one win of the best remaining. For example: If CU is 9-3 and USC is 8-4, the Holiday could select USC but could not select a 7-5 team. CU would seem to be the most attractive option if available, but USC is a major draw in Southern California and could be the choice here.

Las Vegas Bowl

When/where >> Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m., Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

Matchup >> Pac-12 vs. SEC

CU’s previous appearances >> None

If CU doesn’t land in the CFP and doesn’t get selected by the Alamo or Holiday bowls, it would seem to be a lock for Vegas. Barring a November collapse, CU should be one of the top four Pac-12 teams and there’s almost no chance the Las Vegas Bowl would pass up an opportunity to have Coach Prime in town during the holidays.

Sun Bowl

When/where >> Dec. 31, noon, Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas

Matchup >> Pac-12 vs. ACC

CU’s previous appearances >> None

It would likely take a bad November by CU and a great November from a few other teams (Arizona State, USC, Washington) for the Buffs to fall to this spot in the pecking order. CU and Cal are the only “Pac-12” schools that have never played in the Sun Bowl, which debuted at the end of the 1934 season and is the second-oldest bowl game, behind the Rose Bowl.

LA Bowl

When/where >> Dec. 18, 7 p.m., SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Matchup >> Pac-12 vs. Mountain West

CU’s previous appearances >> None

Independence Bowl

When/where >> Dec. 30, 7:15 p.m., Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La.

Matchup >> Pac-12 vs. American Athletic

CU’s previous appearances >> 2007

We’ll lump the LA Bowl and Independence Bowl together because it would likely take a disastrous November (such as going 0-4 and finishing 6-6) for the Buffs to land in either one of these spots. Nothing is impossible, of course, so both games are in play for the Buffs.