It’s been a long nine months.

Last November 25th, the 5-6 Buffs traveled to Salt Lake City to take on the 5-6 Utah Utes. The winner of the game would receive a bowl invitation and a chance to finish off the 2017 season with some momentum. The loser would stay home with a 5-7 record.

Utah raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead against Colorado, coasting to a 34-13 win. The Utes went on to beat West Virginia in the Heart of Dallas Bowl – the only Pac-12 team to win their bowl game – carrying momentum from those two wins into the 2018 campaign.

The Buffs, meanwhile, limped home with half as many wins as the year before, going from worst-to-first-to-worst in the Pac-12 South.

It’s been an off-season of criticism, of doubt, and of self-reflection.

While one game does not a true sample make, what the Buffs accomplished with their 45-13 rout of Colorado State in the 2018 Rocky Mountain Showdown is worthy of note.

Welcome to a new feature! “SAQ” has reviews of the Rocky Mountain Showdown (e.g., “CU rushing offense v. CSU rushing defense”) as well as the premier of my “Pac-12 Power Rankings” …

Game Day! … Video: BuffStampede.com preview show … Steven Montez: ” I can’t wait to get out there and show what we have been working on, on offense” … New Buffs looking to make their mark: “The coaches did a great job finding the right guys, guys who want to come play”

First preview of the season!! … Which CSU team will show up Friday – the team which fell behind Hawai’i 37-7, or the team which out-scored the Rainbow Warriors 27-6 the rest of the game? … CU has won three straight Rocky Mountain Showdowns – will the Buffs make it four in a row?