Friday’s game is huge. .
Why?
When the Buffs win they are bowl eligible.
When the Buffs win the Huskers are not.
This is Senior Day for some great Colorado players.
This is Senior Day for Ralphie IV.
When the Buffs win it will likely Bill Callahan’s last game.
When the Buffs win it will cap one of the Husker’s worst seasons ever.
The other team wears Red.
It’s an early game, but the weather will be ripe for Big XII smash mouth football. 34 degrees at kickoff. The Buffs are going to use their strength in the trenches to overpower Nebraska. To be quite honest I wouldn’t want it any other way. When we beat Nebraska, I prefer to manhandle them.
You want the X’s and O’s. Well I think it should be pretty evenly matched.
Colorado’s struggling offense versus the Nebraska Black Shirts. That matchup seems to favor the Buffaloes, much like any matchup against the Husker defense has favored the opposition all year. If you like I have some footage of the NU cheerleaders putting up over 600 yards on them in a scrimmage. To be fair their cheerleaders are more mannish than most. And I guess when that happens, the “best” fans in the world are liable to call in death threats on their defensive coordinator.
Nebraska’s suddenly resurgent offense versus the Buffs defense. Our defensive line and linebacker core will prevent them from running. There is not a question there. The Huskers are without their supposed savior Sam Keller, which is too bad because this Ganz kid looks to be twice the ball player Keller is. It remains to be seen if Ganz can take advantage of a wounded Colorado secondary. Let’s hope we all get see T. “NFL” Wheatley pick off a couple in his final game at Folsom filed. He is still questionable for the game with the broken bone in his foot. It would also be nice to see Ryan Walter come back from his injury to crack some Huskers like he does best. In the end if the Buffs stop the big play, I think they win this battle.
Intangibles.
This one also has to favor the Buffs. The Buffs play for a coach that they believe in. They are committed to this team today and for the years to come. Most of the Huskers are evaluating their transfer options much like their entire incoming recruiting calls.
This is a win that the Buffs need for the program. The Buffs have more heart and passion. The Buffs are stronger. The Buffs have a brighter future.
Colorado 24 Nebraska 16
Go Buffs!

Rivalries are great things. They make a game at the end of a 5 and 6 season seem important, and can even make it memorable. A big win for Nebraska could even save Callahan’s job (I really doubt it, but it could happen). A big win for the Buffs would really change the whole dynamic of this season. It would be a vindication of sorts, as really, most people did not expect the Buffs to do more than get to a bowl game. This season has seen inconsistency as the Buffs yo-yoed back and forth from disappointing performances to memorable ones and back again. We even saw the honeymoon period end for Hawkins with the 55-10 meltdown in boulder against Mizzou. But enough about the season. The season is gone. They playoff for respect is here.
The collective memory of the respective fanbases defines any particular rivalry. The long memories of Nebraska fans makes some of them deny that such a rivalry even exists… I would humbly disagree, and it is apparent that a new generation of Husker fans does think this game is a rivalry game. My memories of this rivalry are very short compared to those of many other Buffs that frequent this site, but so is my lifespan.
I remember the first CU-NU game I ever saw. It was the day after thanksgiving in the year 2000 (ya, start laughing:). I did not even know I was going to attend CU yet, and barely recognized the team (I grew up in Hawaii and was not in high school yet when CU won the national championship, give a guy a break). All I did know was that the guys in red had just gone down by a point and that they were driving for a game winning field goal. I immediately started rooting for the Buffs to stop them. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so and Eric Crouch led the BugEaters to a game winning fieldgoal.
The next year, now that was a bit different. Both teams were in the top 10, with NU #1. This game was my first time attending the rivalry in person. It was incredible. I had been to every game that year, and no game had come close to matching this one in intensity.
My Favorite Moment:Purify’s 39 yard run to open the scoring. It was a sign of things to come, and the stadium just went nuts. Rushing the field and all the other fun stuff was also a good time, but really, that was like the first bite of a cake. Even if you get to eat the rest of the damn thing, its always the best on the first bite:).
What is your favorite moment in the rivalry?

Hello and Good afternoon buff fans and buff haters (Why you are here is beyond me). The name is Skye, and I am the newest addition to the wonderful, talented, and most of all, trimmed with silver group that posts here. My first confession: I am a bit of a video game fanatic, especially when it comes to sport games. Having logged enough hours on my Xbox 360 playing NCAA 2008 to drive my girlfriend up the wall and through the roof, I thought a nice little opening feature would be the classic, well used, yet still fun, video game prediction contest. Lets just see if EA sports is what we should use for a betting guideline instead of the illustrious editorial staff of buffs.tv! If it is well received, I will try and make this weekly. Check below the fold for the prediction.

To the matter at hand: Scroll down for the final score.
We start out well and our defense puts up early with a safety in the 1st Quarter! However, we soon fall behind as the Rams pick off a Hawkins pass deep into our territory, but we hold strong and force them to make a 33 yard field goal.
The next few series are marred by 3 and outs for CU, while CSU turns over the ball a few times. We finally take advantage of the turnover and take the lead again as the HAWK burrows in on a QB keeper for a touchdown early in the 2nd. Things are looking swell until CSU drives and finishes off the half with a fullback run for a TD to retake the lead.
At halftime, the score sits 10 to 9 CSU, with CU moving up and down the field, but unable to convert key 3rd downs.
The third quarter starts badly. The offense stalls, and the CSU marches down the whole field before the red zone D holds them to a field goal.
The whole stadium then EXPLODES as the Hawk finds Hugh for a 46 yard touchdown pass.
Sadly, less then a minute later, CSU responds with a touchdown pass of their own.
20 to 16 CSU going into the 4th.
The freshman finally looks himself. A bad pass by Hawk gets intercepted. 4 plays later, CSU scores to go up 27 to 16.
Hawk looks to make up for his mistake and quickly moves CU down the field as our running game (having racked up almost 150 yards) is now forgotten. Charles scores again on another long pass! Then Charles slams his way into the endzone for 2 points, doing his best impression of Lawrence Vickers to a hapless CSU safety on the way in.
CSU goes three and out! The fans are feeling it. Mile high is rockin. Unfortunately, on a 4th and 8 from the CSU 40 (oh how we miss a certain kicker!), Hawk is sacked as CSU throws the house at him and none of the WR’s make it open in time.
CSU runs the clock out. Game. We lose! The sad score is 27 to 24 as the Rams hold off a 4th Quarter rally by the buffs.
Booo! On a happier note, in the franchise that I actually play in, CSU loses on a pick 6 in the last minute of the game as a certain senior corner cements his status as an NFL player and CU wins 24 to 17.
Which do you think is more likely? I know what I think:)

Stop talking about Nebraska.
As Colorado fans we have no reason to talk about Nebraska. Colorado is completely unproven right now. We are coming off a 2-10 season. We were just received a major NCAA violation. Our offense has yet to take hold. We don’t even have a starting quarterback right now.
I expect great things from the Buffs this season too, but until we prove ourselves on the field there is absolutely no reason to bring comparisons to the Huskers let alone any other Division I college football team.
So please of you want to talk about the upcoming season for the Buffs this is the place to do it, but stop with the Husker bashing.

Apparently Nebraska is promoting Shawn Watson to offensive coordinator. More power to them, hope they like his play calling.
Article

In a fitting wrap-up to a miserable season, the Buffs played well for 3 quarters and then played down to their abilities in losing to Nebraska 37-14. Trick plays were the order of the day for the Cornhuskers as Nebraska ran a number of fake kicks to perfection and the Buffs were nowhere near ready to defend any of them. The players and the coaching staff deserve a share of the blame for being unprepared for the out of the ordinary plays that Nebraska threw at the Buffs. One of those trick plays set up the symbolic turning point of the game. A well executed pooch punt left the Buffs to start a drive on their own 1/2 yard line. A terrible offensive play call and a good defensive push resulted in a Safety and Nebraska drove the field on the resulting possession for a TD that effectively ended the game.
While some have argued that the officials cost the Buffs the game, I think that’s just sour grapes. While the officiating did seem to be pretty bad and I disagreed with many of the calls, the Buffs lost this one all on their own. In a disturbing trend, the Buffs coaching staff was once again outcoached this game. I like Hawkins, and I continue to believe that he can turn the program around, but I’m starting to question some of the decision making. I’m a firm believer that you need to give a guy 3-4 years to show what he can do, but we better see marked improvement next year.
All in all, Nebraska was the better team on Friday and deserved the win. The Buffs now have to sit at home, lick their wounds, and figure out how to start moving in the right direction.
By the way, after all of the complaints about how the Buffs are not classy (the locker room code, Hawkins remarks, etc), it sure was classy of Callahan to score that meaningless touchdown with 23 seconds left in the game. I’m sure one of you will turn around and say it was payback for all of our disrespectful actions, but I’m just pointing out that it happens on both sides.

Friday November 24th
The University of Colorado will take on the University of Nebraska at 1:36 PM MST. The game will be broadcast by ABC in High definition. And the broadcasters will be three guys you have never heard of. This marks the 11th time the Buffaloes and the Cornhuskers have played for a national audience on the day after Thanksgiving.
If recent history tells us something, the Buffs should be looking to win. Since the 2001 drubbing the Buffs put on the Huskers at Folsom Field, the visiting team has won each game and the Buffs will be visiting Lincoln Memorial again this year. Doesn’t mean much this year though. All bets are off. The Buffs have played inconsistent all season long. There have been quarterback blunders, Receivers left open in the secondary, A trio of rotating tailbacks who never have seemed to find a rhythm all year long, At times the pass rush has been nonexistent, At times the offensive line has been anything but the wall we needed, Play calling has been suspect at times, And the wins just haven’t come. But through it all the Buffaloes have never given up.
Coach Hawk has instilled some heart into the 2006 Buffaloes. These Buffaloes have played every down in every game and have left it all on the field. And for that, we must give a hand to each one of these players and the coaching staff.
The Buffs are not pretty to look at, but the loyal fan still sees that something special when they play. Watching the pass rush of Abraham Wright has bordered on brilliance at times. There is a reason that Hugh Charles has his own cheer within Folsom field, we know that at any one time he can make that game breaking play that we dreamed about last night. Each one of us must ask ourselves how it is that Thaddeus Washington and Jordan Dizon are everywhere on the field but deflect any credit on the teammates and coaches. When you see Riar Geer run the touchdown play, it is easy to wonder if he is more like Christian Fauria or Dan Graham? And in Terrence Wheatley the Buffs finally have seen what a cover corner would look like in a Buffs uniform. But you have to be a fan to see these things. In the media the Buffs have a great kicker and a pile of losses to go with all the missed tackles, overthrown passes, blown coverages and poor special teams coverage. Is it better to be recognized for your poor play on the field or for the missteps of the athletic department?
I don’t like the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I don’t like the color red. And I really don’t like the state of Nebraska. Bill McCartney, Bo Shembeckler’s protégé taught me that. But I do respect the fact that they have overhauled their football squad and are in the process of returning from their time away from the national spotlight. And I hate to say it, but they are the best model the Buffs have to follow to return to the national stage. The only reason I don’t have to loathe myself for wanting to follow their lead, is that I know CU dealt them their program crushing blow. (Not so funny side note is that it is the events that directly followed those two big wins in 2001 that led to CU’s downturn.)
So the Buffs will battle the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln this week. They will show the heart that exists within everyone on this team. They will show flashes of brilliance and they will show us the reasons they are 2-9. My blood will boil when ABC shows the sea of red and all the talk will be about the Cornhuskers. But you and I are true fans and know the reasons to love college football. College football is ruled by momentum and emotion. And in a rivalry game that momentum and emotion can shift quickly. Just about anything can happen.
Go Buffs!

Former Nebraska football star Lawrence Phillips attempted to run over a group of boys with his car because he was upset about losing a pickup game.

Welcome to the Mile High Showdown.
This rivalry game is usually a loss-loss type situation for the Buffs – losing the game means that CU faces an uphill battle for the remainder of the season trying to regain respect, and a win matters little in the grand scheme of things. This year is no different. After scheduling a “patsy” and losing last week, the Buffs face the real possibility of starting this season 0-2.
The big question this weekend – can the Buffs fill the void left by last week’s devastating loss? It wouldn’t matter if the opponent this weekend was CSU, Baylor, or Texas, the top priority will be for the Buffs to unite as a team and to play up to their potential.
On offense, QB James Cox needs to step it up. With his confidence shaken, he must focus on this game as if it were the last game of his career (probably a lot of truth to that). He needs support from the receivers, who must catch the passes that Cox delivers. Last weeks loss can’t be handed to Cox alone, the entire offense was inept.
The defense needs to step it up as well. Montana State made plays against the Buffs defense when it mattered, and the Buffs had no answer. CU cornerback Lorenzo Simms admitted yesterday that the Buffs denfense didn’t give Montana State enough credit, possibly resulting in the humiliating loss last Saturday. If the Buffs assume they can defeat the Rams, they will lose.
Forget last week, forget the rivalry, the Buffs simply must find a way to win the game! This game is about rebuilding confidence and uniting under Coach Hawkins.
The game will be televised nationally by OLN and regionally by CSTV. Kickoff is at 3:00pm mountian time.
Go Buffs!

The Daily Camera is reporting that OLN has agreed to carry the upcoming Rocky Mountain Showdown. This is good news for the Buffs as OLN’s 70 million homes meet the Big XII’s definition of a national audience. For every nationally televised game CU will recieves at least $400,000 payday from the Big XII.

To get everyone pumped about the up-coming season, I thought I’d share this video starring “Touchdown” Chris Brown. Enjoy, and look for season previews coming next week.
62-36
Also enjoyable: He’s not a Buff fan, but he hates the Huskers. That makes him a winner in my book:
HuskerH8er

Are you going to be in Mile High stadium for the upcoming Rocky Mountain Showdown? If not, you might not be watching the game at home either. As part of the Mountain West Conference, Colorado State has a deal to show all of its home games on the fledgling College Sports Television Network. With CSU slated as the home team for the this year’s game, CSTV will be the only network allowed to air it.
Locally, Comcast Digital Cable subscribers should have access to the broadcast. In addition DishTV and DirecTV subscribers can up thier subscription levels in order to receive the telecast.
CSTV claims to have 54 million addressable subscribers. Basically that means 54 million people have the option to subscribe. However only 15 to 20 million households actually subscribe to the channel. Here is where the news gets even worse for the Buffs. Usually, The rocky Mountain Showdown is a nationally televised game. As such, CU receives a $400,000 pay out from the Big 12. In order for a broadcast to be considered national, 42 million homes must receive the game.
CU athletic Director Mike Bohn is confident that CSTV will be able to grow their penetration to the requisite 42 million subscribers in time for the game. “I think they understand the importance of making this more widely available not only for Mountain West Conference fans but for Colorado fans,” Bohn said. “If they don’t reach 42 million, I’ll be very surprised, but we’ll also have to take that into consideration in the future.”

I know I am getting ahead of myself here a bit seeing as it’s only the first day of practice and our first game is against Montana State, but I need to talk about CSU. The other night CET aired a pre-season program about the Rocky Mountain Showdown. Overall it was entertaining. They asked a number of coaches and former players if they preferred it to be a “good game” or a blowout. I personally have no reason to be politically correct so let me be the first to say I want CU to put on a clinic. Seriously, what true fan wants a “good game?” My definition of good game is CU wiping up the field with their opponent. I root for CSU every other weekend of the year but come September, 9th they might as well be from a state that begins with N.
So it was fun to watch this show and get fired up for Saturday’s in the fall again. However, I had a terrible nightmare that night. Granted, I’m pregnant so wacky dreams are par for the course these days but this one was exceedingly scary and it was all the fault of that damn cannon. Not much makes my blood boil like the sound of the CSU cannon. I hate it! And the worst part is that they fire it after extra points too. It’s beyond obnoxious. So without dismissing the importance of the season opener, I would like the team to begin visualizing a perfect world in which CU owns Invesco Field, no sports commentator refers to the Showdown as a “good game” and a year passes without hearing that awful cannon.

Before we get into the x’s and O’s of the game this week, let’s just have a quick look back at Nebraska over the last several years. We all remember 62-36. SInce that program crushing loss things haven’t looked that great for the Huskers.
2002 – 7-7
2003 – 10-3
2004 – 5-6
2005 – 6-4
After 2003, their only decent season of the last 4, they fired Frank Solich and hired Bill Callahan from the Oakland Raiders. Bill has managed a poor attempt at a West Coast offense and turned away some of his best recruits. The Huskers even managed to lose to Kansas this year for the first time in over 30 years. He has pissed of Husker loyal fans to the point that the Husker office atcually had to return many of their ticket allottment for this game.
Things are not looking good for the Huskers. And man that is all right with me. I like the fact that you never even hear them mentioned on national TV. I like the fact that I nver have to see that horrible mascot of theirs. I like the fact that you can’t even call them black shirts anymore. They don’t deserve the name. I like the fact that they are so desperate that they burned their freshman QB’s redshirt last week.
Funny story: The Buffs always dress their scout team up as Husker girls for practice before the Buffs and Huskers play. Well when they called the decal company to get Husker decals this year, the decal company said “that’s funny, Nebraska just called to get some Buffalo decals.” Sounds like somebody is putting a little more emphasis on this non-rivalry game. Difference this year is that Buffs expect to win, while the Huskers expect to lose but would be surprised to win.
So after the game this year, CU fans you may want to say goodbye to Bill Callahan. You hated him as a Raider; You hated him as a Husker. He probably won’t be back to Folsom field ever again.

Looks like Lawrence Phillips is in trouble again. We’ve missed you Lawrence.

CU Athletic Director Dick Tharp has come to terms with his new CSU counter part Mark Driscoll to ensure that the in-state rivalry will continue for at least another 10 years. After an extended hiatus in the 80′s and 90′s the CU CSU series was renewed in 1995. Although the series has had its share of controversy, over all it has been seen as good for both programs.
Over the next 10 years the game will be played in Folsom Field at least five times, Mile High four times and two more sites will fall to CSU to choose.
Good job, AD’s, on making this happen.

From ESPN.com just good to see news of Nebraska’s internal problems instead of news of them preparing for the game.

Straight from the horse’s mouth. I suppose, when you figure OU pretty much has no where to go, it is fair to say we are the hottest team in the Big XII. We are certainly improving while the rest of the conference, except OU, seems to be sagging. All in all, I like this article.

I can’t stand them. You can’t stand them. In fact, even their own fans can’t stand the Huskers right now. That is how bad they suck. We even have the chance to send Frank Solich packing on November 28th.
Do you realize that Nebraska is a measley 15-12 since we delivered that program crushing blow in 2001? They haven’t been able to get it together. I for one would like to keep it that way. They have been humiliated in the last few week and are in a downward spiral. I see no need why we shouldn’t push them down just a little further.
Smack it up!

A Nebraska player beats down Mizzou fan