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By Stuart
[h=3]Rethinking CSU[/h]It’s been 30 years since the Colorado state legislature forced the CSU Rams back onto the Colorado football schedule.
After three decades of dealing with the Ram Nation, is it time to rethink the “rivalry”?
First, some history.
The CU/CSU rivalry, which had laid dormant since 1958, was renewed in 1983. The first game of the renewed rivalry*was not very interesting for the casual football fans, with an appropriate 31-3 thrashing by a lousy CU team over an even worse CSU squad.
Over the past three decades, the teams have played 25 times, with CU enjoying a healthy 18-7 advantage. The Buff Nation looks down its nose at the Rams and their fans, with distain and contempt equal to that which Nebraska fans have*long held for the Colorado faithful. “There is no rivalry”, proclaims Buff fans, all the while wanting to beat CSU as much or more than any other team on the schedule.
I was there in 1983, watching CU earn a rare (at the time – over any team) easy victory. I was also in Boulder for the first game of the 1986 season. The Buffs had shocked the world in 1985, going from 1-10 in 1984 to 7-5 and a bowl game in 1985. Better things were expected in 1986, but the Buffs were humbled at home in the opener by the Rams, 23-7.
After the loss in 1986, the ship was righted, with Colorado winning the next eight games in the series.
Then, in 1999, there was the riot game, when tear gas met CSU fans at the end of the game as they celebrated a 41-14 victory, the first win in the series since the 1986 game.
The Mile High years in general have been a mixed bag, to put it mildly. For the first six years of the Rocky Mountain Showdown, one of the two teams came into the game with a national ranking. Three times – 1999, 2000, and 2002 – Colorado came into the contest with a national ranking … and lost to*the unranked*Rams. Three times – 1998, 2001, and 2003 – Colorado State came into the contest with a national ranking … and lost to the unranked Buffs.
Doubt that’s ever happened in any other rivalry.
The vitriol between the two fan bases has only been exacerbated by the neutral site games. With the stadium split between the black-and-gold and green-and-gold (okay, more like 60-40, CU), there is cheering on every play by one side of the stadium. Little brother is placed on an equal stage with big brother, with the Ram fans relishing the opportunity; Buff fans longing for the day when the Rocky Mountain Showdown contract will expire.
Still, the game isn’t that much better for CU fans when the game is in Boulder. In 2004 and 2005, the games were played in Folsom Field, but CU could have lost either or both games, pulling out 27-24 and 31-28 victories.
Then, there were the last two victories by the Rams in the series. The 2009*CSU 23-17 win*in Boulder was a very bitter pill to swallow, and the 2012 game (can someone please turn back the clock to the last minute of the first half, and tell the CU coaches to get their act together, and not have a freshman try a fair catch after going for a block??) is a black eye in the history of Colorado football.
Now, Buff fans have to live with a Colorado State athletic department which seems to have it figured out when it comes to fund-raising and facilities upgrades. While the proof will be in the actual turning of shovels, the CSU athletic hierarchy at least seems to have a vision, while the CU administration seem to take every opportunity to give the college football world their latest emulation of the Keystone Kops.
So, there*are plenty of reasons to dislike Colorado State University: The games in Denver are awful. The games against CSU are no win propositions – win, and no one notices; lose, and everyone makes fun of the Buffs. The series gives little brother equal billing on the statewide and national stage. And the Ram fans …
But … then there was this past week.
As many of you know, my wife and I have Keeshonds. Regulars on the website know that this past week was the anniversary of*our losing my good friend, Mouse.
This past week, one of our current dogs, Maggie, starting urinating blood. The local vet did an ultrasound, and determined that Maggie had a tumor, and possibly cancer. There was nothing more they could do for her in Bozeman, but there was hope for surgery and treatment at the best vet school in the region …
… at Colorado State University.
With no time to waste, Lee drove Maggie down to Ft. Collins over the weekend. After performing more tests, the doctors determined that Maggie did have a tumor, and that it had attached to a kidney. More tests to ensure the viability of the remaining kidney ensued, and they operated on Wednesday to remove the tumor and the affected kidney.
Maggie made it through with flying colors, and was released Friday.*Maggie should be fine in time.
And we have the vets at Colorado State University for saving her life.
Now what?
I have the University of Colorado to thank for my education, and for giving me great experiences and lifelong friends. The quality education I received in Boulder has allowed me pursue a career in law, which, in turn, has provided me the resources to adjust my life to help take care of our sick puppy (thank God for pet insurance!).
But it was Colorado State University vets who saved my dog. It was the training and talents of green-and-gold veterinarians and vets in training which gave us back our Maggie.
What to do with that?
Can I continue my 30-year dislike for the Rams?
Can I continue to make fun of Colorado State, knowing that I owe the school and their students so much?
Can I become a CSU fan?
….
….
Nah.
Never gonna happen.
My distain for CU’s little brother to the north remains in tact.
Maggie can be a CSU fan, but not me.
Maybe I’ll get her a green-and-gold bandanna to wear*…
Originally posted by CU At the Game
Click here to vie
[h=3]Rethinking CSU[/h]It’s been 30 years since the Colorado state legislature forced the CSU Rams back onto the Colorado football schedule.
After three decades of dealing with the Ram Nation, is it time to rethink the “rivalry”?
First, some history.
The CU/CSU rivalry, which had laid dormant since 1958, was renewed in 1983. The first game of the renewed rivalry*was not very interesting for the casual football fans, with an appropriate 31-3 thrashing by a lousy CU team over an even worse CSU squad.
Over the past three decades, the teams have played 25 times, with CU enjoying a healthy 18-7 advantage. The Buff Nation looks down its nose at the Rams and their fans, with distain and contempt equal to that which Nebraska fans have*long held for the Colorado faithful. “There is no rivalry”, proclaims Buff fans, all the while wanting to beat CSU as much or more than any other team on the schedule.
I was there in 1983, watching CU earn a rare (at the time – over any team) easy victory. I was also in Boulder for the first game of the 1986 season. The Buffs had shocked the world in 1985, going from 1-10 in 1984 to 7-5 and a bowl game in 1985. Better things were expected in 1986, but the Buffs were humbled at home in the opener by the Rams, 23-7.
After the loss in 1986, the ship was righted, with Colorado winning the next eight games in the series.
Then, in 1999, there was the riot game, when tear gas met CSU fans at the end of the game as they celebrated a 41-14 victory, the first win in the series since the 1986 game.
The Mile High years in general have been a mixed bag, to put it mildly. For the first six years of the Rocky Mountain Showdown, one of the two teams came into the game with a national ranking. Three times – 1999, 2000, and 2002 – Colorado came into the contest with a national ranking … and lost to*the unranked*Rams. Three times – 1998, 2001, and 2003 – Colorado State came into the contest with a national ranking … and lost to the unranked Buffs.
Doubt that’s ever happened in any other rivalry.
The vitriol between the two fan bases has only been exacerbated by the neutral site games. With the stadium split between the black-and-gold and green-and-gold (okay, more like 60-40, CU), there is cheering on every play by one side of the stadium. Little brother is placed on an equal stage with big brother, with the Ram fans relishing the opportunity; Buff fans longing for the day when the Rocky Mountain Showdown contract will expire.
Still, the game isn’t that much better for CU fans when the game is in Boulder. In 2004 and 2005, the games were played in Folsom Field, but CU could have lost either or both games, pulling out 27-24 and 31-28 victories.
Then, there were the last two victories by the Rams in the series. The 2009*CSU 23-17 win*in Boulder was a very bitter pill to swallow, and the 2012 game (can someone please turn back the clock to the last minute of the first half, and tell the CU coaches to get their act together, and not have a freshman try a fair catch after going for a block??) is a black eye in the history of Colorado football.
Now, Buff fans have to live with a Colorado State athletic department which seems to have it figured out when it comes to fund-raising and facilities upgrades. While the proof will be in the actual turning of shovels, the CSU athletic hierarchy at least seems to have a vision, while the CU administration seem to take every opportunity to give the college football world their latest emulation of the Keystone Kops.
So, there*are plenty of reasons to dislike Colorado State University: The games in Denver are awful. The games against CSU are no win propositions – win, and no one notices; lose, and everyone makes fun of the Buffs. The series gives little brother equal billing on the statewide and national stage. And the Ram fans …
But … then there was this past week.
As many of you know, my wife and I have Keeshonds. Regulars on the website know that this past week was the anniversary of*our losing my good friend, Mouse.
This past week, one of our current dogs, Maggie, starting urinating blood. The local vet did an ultrasound, and determined that Maggie had a tumor, and possibly cancer. There was nothing more they could do for her in Bozeman, but there was hope for surgery and treatment at the best vet school in the region …
… at Colorado State University.
With no time to waste, Lee drove Maggie down to Ft. Collins over the weekend. After performing more tests, the doctors determined that Maggie did have a tumor, and that it had attached to a kidney. More tests to ensure the viability of the remaining kidney ensued, and they operated on Wednesday to remove the tumor and the affected kidney.
Maggie made it through with flying colors, and was released Friday.*Maggie should be fine in time.
And we have the vets at Colorado State University for saving her life.
Now what?
I have the University of Colorado to thank for my education, and for giving me great experiences and lifelong friends. The quality education I received in Boulder has allowed me pursue a career in law, which, in turn, has provided me the resources to adjust my life to help take care of our sick puppy (thank God for pet insurance!).
But it was Colorado State University vets who saved my dog. It was the training and talents of green-and-gold veterinarians and vets in training which gave us back our Maggie.
What to do with that?
Can I continue my 30-year dislike for the Rams?
Can I continue to make fun of Colorado State, knowing that I owe the school and their students so much?
Can I become a CSU fan?
….
….
Nah.
Never gonna happen.
My distain for CU’s little brother to the north remains in tact.
Maggie can be a CSU fan, but not me.
Maybe I’ll get her a green-and-gold bandanna to wear*…
Originally posted by CU At the Game
Click here to vie