Editor’s note: This is part of the Star’s ongoing “Big 12 Blitz” series, where we introduce U of A fans to the on- and off-field need-to-know details surrounding each member of the new 16-team Big 12. Today: The University of Colorado, located in Boulder, Colorado.
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Like its former Pac-12 cohorts at Arizona, Arizona State and Utah, the Colorado Buffaloes are considered one of four newbies in the Big 12.
Except Colorado isn’t new to the Big 12. The Buffaloes just renewed their membership for the conference, after spending the last 13 years in the Pac-12. Before CU moved to the Pac-12, the Buffs were charter members of the Big 12 in the 1990s, joining after nearly five decades prior as part of the Big Eight.
Colorado joined the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association — also known as the Big Six — in 1947. The addition of CU made it the Big Seven until 1958, when Oklahoma State (then Oklahoma A&M) was added to the league, making it the Big Eight. The Big Eight’s teams joined four more from Texas — Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Baylor — to form the Big 12 in 1996.
During Colorado’s first run as a Big 12 member, the Buffaloes totaled 31 conference championships across every sport, which currently ranks fourth behind Oklahoma State (95), Baylor (89) and Kansas (44). Twenty-three of Colorado’s Big 12 championship are from the men’s and women’s cross country teams. CU men’s cross country won 12 straight Big 12 titles from 1996-2007.
Under former football coach Gary Barnett, the Buffaloes won the Big 12 North four times in five seasons, claiming the conference championship over Texas in 2001. With former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator and current UCLA play-caller Eric Bieniemy at running back, Colorado won the 1990 national championship after beating Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.
Colorado coach Deion Sanders, left, leads longtime supporter Peggy Coppom to kick the football before the team’s spring practice in April 2023, ahead of Sanders’ first season at the helm of the CU program.
It’s unlikely Colorado will win a national championship in football this season, but the Buffaloes are among the most intriguing teams in the Big 12 considering how much attention the program garnered since hiring Deion Sanders as head coach. With “Primetime” back for Year 2 and the expectations rising at CU, the Buffs could still start their second stint in the Big 12 with a splash.
Howell
Prior to the start of the 2024 season, the Star spoke with Colorado insider Brian Howell of the Boulder Daily Camera and BuffZone.com about the Buffaloes heading back to the Big 12, where CU fits into the Denver-area sports scene and the “Coach Prime” effect.
How do Colorado fans feel about the Buffaloes heading back to the Big 12?
A: “I think they’re excited. I think more than anything, they just want Colorado to be somewhere that’s stable and, obviously, they didn’t have that with the Pac-12 over the last couple of hours. I think fans love the stability, but none of the rivalries are there anymore, like Nebraska, Oklahoma, teams like that. But the older crowd is excited about seeing Kansas State and Kansas again, Oklahoma State and teams like that, so I think a lot of fans are excited about that. We’re excited for some new rivalries as well with Cincinnati and UCF and teams like that.”
Back on Jan. 3, 2013, Colorado guard Sabatino Chen (23), left, gets mobbed by his teammates after the initial indication was his shot at the buzzer had given the Buffaloes the win over Arizona in the second half of their Pac-12 opener at McKale Center in Tucson. But Chen’s banked 3-pointer was waived off, changing both team’s trajectories for that season on the first night of conference play, and creating a moment that still lives in CU-UA lore.
Besides Utah, what school will be Colorado’s biggest rival in the Big 12?
A: “I don’t think it’s going to be Utah, honestly. I don’t think Colorado ever looked at Utah as a rival. Most of the CU fans are looking at either K-State or Kansas honestly. Utah has always been one of the most manufactured rivalries, and I think a lot of fans look at Arizona as a bigger rival than Utah, especially in basketball. Colorado doesn’t have that one rival. If you look at the schedule this year, the rivalry fans look at the most is Nebraska. It’s interesting being at CU and seeing the schedule and saying, ‘Yep, there’s that one team we have to beat every single year.’”
How does CU fit into the Denver-area sports scene that has championship-winning franchises in the Broncos (NFL), Nuggets (NBA) and Avalanche (NHL)? A: “It’s pretty high up there, especially when you get into football season, because of Deion Sanders. We saw last year, the Broncos weren’t very good and I think CU took some of that attention away from the Broncos. First and foremost, this is always going to be a Broncos town, but CU took some of that attention last year. Last year, you saw a lot more media here than ever before. I think (CU) is up there with the Broncos. Certainly the Denver Nuggets, after winning an NBA title a year ago, is up there as well. But CU is right up there.”
Last season, on Jan. 5 at McKale Center, Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) vies with the Buffalo defense for a rebound against Colorado in their early Pac-12-season matchup in Tucson. Colorado, ranked No. 5 nationally coming in, needed a late 3 from Jaylyn Sherrod to pull out an eventual 75-74 win over teh plucky Wildcats.
What is the hierarchy of Colorado sports? “I’d say Broncos, CU, Nuggets and then Avalanche.”
What about the sports hierarchy specifically at CU?
A: “Yeah, it’s a short list. It’s really football and then men’s basketball, then women’s basketball. Even women’s basketball, they’ve been really good but haven’t have had a huge following. They have a niche group and had good attendance last year. It’s certainly those three teams and then everybody else.”
How would you describe the overall culture of Boulder?
A: “Fun culture. It’s an outdoors culture — hippie culture. It’s a great place to come and visit, because you have the outdoors, especially when the weather is nice. Great restaurants on Pearl Street, and I think it’s a fun place to come visit. People who come here for the road games have a good time, because there’s always something to do.”
Colorado mascot Ralphie VI is led on a ceremonial run through Folsom Field during the first half of the Buffaloes’ Oct. 15, 2022, win over Cal in Boulder, Colorado.
How would you describe the ‘Coach Prime’ effect with Sanders at Colorado over the last year or so? A: “It’s been crazy, just seeing the amount of attention the program has gotten — the attention I get because I cover this team. The fanbase, it feels like it’s tripled. The excitement has tripled since he took over. It’s a lot different covering this team, and there’s a lot of excitement.”
Colorado's eagerness to get back to Big 12 paved way for Arizona, ASU, Utah to come along | Greg HansenWhy was Colorado so eager to rejoin the Big 12? Beyond a $2.5 million “bonus’,’ Deion Sanders or no Deion Sanders, columnist Greg Hansen sees it as simple as wins, losses.
Big 12 Blitz is the Star's way of introducing you — the discerning Arizona Wildcat season ticket holder, would-be road-tripper or cardinal and navy-clad die-hard — to the teams, towns, campuses and more UA coaches, athletes and supporters will get to know across the new Big 12 landscape.
