Oct. 25th – at Utah – “If You Can’t Beat ‘Em … “

On the 39th anniversary of one of the greatest victories in Colorado history, the Buffs absorbed their greatest loss in the 72-game history of its rivalry with Utah, being routed by the Utes, 53-7. Instead of reminding CU fans of the 20-10 upset over No. 3 Nebraska in 1986, the Buffs reminded their fans of what they endured during the debacle of the 2022 season, when CU was out-scored by an average score of 44-15.

Utah freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin had a career day in his first start, with 20 carries for 151 yards and a touchdown, while completing 10-of-22 passes for 140 yards and two more scores. Colorado, meanwhile, generated a grand total of 140 yards of total offense as a team, including 38 yards rushing on 38 attempts.

“This is probably the worst beating I’ve ever had except when my momma whooped me as a kid,” Coach Prime said of his team, which fell behind 43-0 by halftime, with a minus-18 yards of total offense.

The loss was the worst for CU in the series, and was the 12th loss in 15 games between the two schools since Colorado and Utah resumed playing annually as new members of the Pac-12 in 2011.

If you can’t beat ’em … emulate them!

In 2011, when Colorado and Utah left their respective conferences to join the newly reconfigured Pac-12, the assumption was that the transition would be smoother for Colorado.

After all, the Buffs were making a lateral move from one Power Five conference to another, while the Utes were taking a step up from a Group of Five conference.

CU was a much better fit academically and culturally with the Pac-12, being an AAU member with thousands of students flocking to Boulder from California. Utah, meanwhile, was not rated as highly academically (Utah became an AAU member later, in 2019), with strong ties to the LDS church giving many in the Pac-12 pause about Utah’s “fit” in its new conference.

CU was also a much better fit on the gridiron, with Top 25 historical credentials, not to mention a national championship and a Heisman trophy winner. Utah, meanwhile, had been a successful lower tier school, but was not normally on the national radar when it came to football success.

It was supposed to work out better for Colorado than Utah in the Pac-12.

But, as every Buff fan knows, it didn’t turn out that way.

Game Day! (Happy 39th anniversary of 20-10!) … From the Daily Camera: Scouting Utah … Inside CU’s “improved” injury update (Four players listed as “Out”; down from 17 a day ago) …

Game Day! … Surprise! Utah quarterback Devon Dampier upgraded to “Probable” … Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark: “I’m all ears” on giving each Power Four conference an equal number of CFP spots …

Coach Prime not intimidated by Utah’s record v. CU … Revisiting last year’s 49-24 Buff win over Utah … Texas Tech is a five-touchdown favorite … Two stats CU must win if the Buffs are to pull off an upset …

Travis Hunter picks up his first NFL touchdown, while becoming just the fifth player in NFL history with 100 receiving yards and a pass breakup in the same game … Nate Landman continues his All-Pro caliber season …

QB Devon Dampier is an effective passer as well as the Utes leading rusher (but he might not play) … How big of an advantage is CU’s bye week – with Utah coming off of a physical Holy War? … Are third down conversions (and stops) the key to an upset for the Buffs? …

Buffs jump back into the Top Ten in the AP poll with a rout of Kansas … Eric Bieniemy rushed for 174 yards on the afternoon, with his three touchdowns giving him 35 for his CU career, breaking Bobby Anderson’s record …

CU is 118th in the nation in rush defense, 126th in sacks, and the secondary has produced only three interceptions … But the Buffs are only giving up 23.71 points per game, keeping CU in games …

CU’s quarterback room has talent, but that hasn’t been on full display so far this fall … The skill positions have players, but production has been a disappointment … The bright spot in the first half? The CU offensive line …