Worst. To. First.

Last season, Colorado finished 1-8 in Pac-12 play. This year, the Buffs went 8-1 in Pac-12 play.

This past August, in the Pac-12 preseason media poll, the Buffs were pegged as the 11th-best team in the Pac-12 conference. This past week, the Buffs were ranked as the ninth-best team … in the entire nation.

With a 27-22 victory over No. 21 Utah, the Buffs completed a regular season journey absolutely no one saw coming. The statistical “best since” accolades are cascading through the record books like an avalanche:

— First ten-win season since 2001, and first eight-win conference season in school history (the Buffs only played seven conference games in the Big Eight, and went 7-1 three times in Big 12 conference play);

— First six-game winning streak since 1996, and first back-to-back wins over ranked teams since 2002;

— First undefeated home slate since 1994, going 6-0 at home for just the sixth time in school history.

Et cetera … et cetera … et cetera.

But the Buffs’ tenth victory of the 2016 season did not come easily. Colorado trailed Utah for nine minutes in the first quarter, and did not take a two-score lead over the Utes until the fourth.

Neill Woelk’s tribute to senior class … Drew Litton’s take on Utah game … Bios of CU’s 27 seniors … Report: Sefo Liufau’s NFL draft stock improving

CU leads the all-time series, but the Utes have won four straight … Buffs seek seventh-ever 10-win season

Can the first sell-out in years carry the Buffs to the division title? … Your “T.I.P.S.” for CU v. Utah …

CU up to No. 9 in College Football Playoff Rankings … Mike MacIntyre No. 1 in Coach-of-the-Year rankings