Home › Football
CU, CSU talking extension for football series
Deal might make it easier for Buffs to host 2009 game at Folsom
The University of Colorado, Colorado State and the Denver Metro Sports Commission are once again discussing extending the football series between the two schools through the 2013 season.
STORY TOOLS
More Football
- Young Buffs face pivotal test at KU
- Kansas not just a hoops school under Mangino
- Buffs' offensive line gets Goree
Share and Enjoy [?]
A deal was struck just two years ago to extend the series five years through 2010, but CU came back to the table early this time around, in part, to address a problem in its 2009 schedule.
As it stands now, the 2009 slate looks to be easier to handle than this year's schedule and some of the recent past, but it also contains several things CU fans won't like. If the 2009 CSU game is played in Denver, the Buffs will host only five true home games in Folsom Field and they will play only once at home (Sept. 19 against Wyoming) until mid-October. The second true home game won't be played until Oct. 17.
Since taking over as athletic director in Boulder, Mike Bohn has consistently said he is committed to having six home football games in Folsom Field each season. Bohn said fans overwhelmingly support having at least six true home games.
Under the current deal, Bohn must decide whether to play the 2009 game in Denver or bring the game back to campus and inform his counterpart, CSU athletic director Paul Kowalczyk, prior to this year's game.
"We're engaged in discussions right now with the Denver Metro Sports Commission related to the future of the series, which could develop into a new agreement that would not require that deadline to be exercised," Bohn said.
If the Buffs choose to have the 2009 game in Boulder, CSU could chooseto host the 2010 game in Fort Collins. Both teams would have to each other a $650,000 guarantee to host the game on campus.
Both programs benefit by having the game in Denver. CU makes about $500,000 more by playing the Rams in Denver than it does when it plays the Rams in Folsom Field. When CSU is the home team, it makes about $1 million more by having the game in Denver versus paying the Buffs to come to Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins.
In exchange for extending the series another three years, CU could propose a deal in which the 2009 game would be played in Boulder and the remaining games would be guaranteed for Denver.
"That is one of the scenarios that we are looking at," Bohn said.
Bohn has made several changes to the 2009 schedule since being hired, creating the current scenario with only five true home games. But the games Bohn added guaranteed the department significant revenue. A game at Miami (Ohio) came with a guarantee of a national television appearance on ESPN. Renewing series with Wyoming has been anticipated for years and adding West Virginia to the schedule assured CU of two more opportunities for national television exposure.
There are some CU supporters who believe playing Colorado State each year is not necessary and does more good for the rival Rams than it does the Buffs. Bohn occasionally hears from boosters and fans who encourage him to consider taking the Rams off the schedule, at least periodically.
"That is one of the scenarios for the future that we're also exploring," Bohn said.
Posted by buffalotom on June 1, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the '10 schedule is a dog, not Bohn's fault.
so, lets take the hit now in the name of revenue and future scheduling flexibility. that is, play at mile hi in '09, csu will want the game at mile hi in '11 since they need the dollars more the cu does. so there are good paydays for cu both times. that incremental revenue will help offset the lack of a 6th home game in '10, then cu will have the flexibility to schedule in subsequent years. hopefully, the political pressure to schedule csu lower now than when the series was revived in '93. if not, then cu has more a better bargaining position.
personally, i hate the game and would love to see it go away forever. the game is even worse with the nothing atmosphere at mile hi. but, as a true buff fan, i'll endure another three games there in order to enhance revenue and possibly eliminate the lambs from the schedule.
i'm not just complaining, i have a constructive suggestion. with csu gone, open with a relatively easy opponent, then schedule teams from areas we recruit in California, Texas, Louisiana, may the upper midwest. for example, open with Miami of Ohio; then, Houston/SMU/TCU; then Cal/UCLA/Stanford/USC/Michigan/Notre Dame/ -athletic and academic peers - a bit of a stretch but aim high with this game; finally, close the preseason with San Diego State/San Jose State.
its true that the csu game makes money and stirs interest - although that is waning as the each program is moving toward its respective traditional level. otherwise, its just not attractive to a lot of fans.
the csu game is all about dollars. the attendance has been falling over the last few years to the point where where revenue gains for playing the game at all and playing it at mile hi, should be declining.
Posted by buffalotom on June 1, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sorry for the unedited stuff, above. oops.
Posted by flabuff227 on June 1, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i definitely agree with scheduling teams in states that we recruit from. But i dont think we need 2 schedule any texas teams. We are already going 2 play at least two every year.
Posted by archalon on June 2, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bohn has done a good job securing financial paydays and good scheduling. But......The Miami (OH) game ? Trade it off with an SEC or Pac -10 opponent and the tv deal is guaranteed anyway.
Get rid of CSU - its always a better deal for the Rams then CU. Replace with a quality opponent early and avoid cupcakes. If nothing else, rotate Air Force, Wyoming and CSU for regional variety as a minimum. But really, I'd rather see big name teams from SEC, ACC, Pac-10,etc. Even if it means less than 6 home games, so be it. Its better than seeing EWU, Miami (OH) or San Jose State come to Boulder.
Unlike Corn-Heads, Id rather see the team play tough competition - even if on he road - and potentially miss a bowl, rather than cupcake their way to a bowl they don't deserve
what are the odds that CU can get a big name early opponent in a Pigskin Classic type game ? Fans will remember the Tennessee game where Mike Pritchard sub'd at TB and ran for 200+ back in the day. Quality opponents - W,L or Tie - are the only way to go.
Posted by skipples4u on June 2, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qs-8Y...
for those of you who have ever wondered what the team is doing prior to running down the black hole and onto the field behind the greatest mascot in the world...... here ya go!
Posted by archalon on June 2, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hopefully that video will give rswright a heart attack if he ever reappears. He'd have to complain about the CU football 'nightclub' instead of "hawk's potty"
I personally love it
Posted by rodrigo on June 2, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
UCLA. CU owes Rick a few...
Posted by baBUFF on June 2, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Awesome video - how much fun would that be.
As for CSU - I know there are plenty of good reasons for taking them off the schedule and many are posted above, but as a fan I want to see that game. I hate CSU, I think it's rediculous that they have been able to compete with us on the football field for the past decade, but they are an in-state rival regardless of their conference and I get juiced for playing the Rams. Loved it as a student and I love it now as an alum.
I say keep them on the schedule, but maybe play them second or third in the ooc schedule so we can have one game to work the kinks out - no matter how bad they are they always seem to get up for that game.
Besides, now would be a bad time to take them off, their program is in a slide and we are on the rise. I would love to see several years of Ram bloodbaths just to remind anybody who might have forgotten who carrys the big stick in this state.
Posted by skibumm on June 3, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why would we remove the CSU game from the sch. That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Anyone who thinks we should remove it, its because your afraid of the game. You afraid of a rivalry game that no matter how bad/good the teams are, its always going to be close. For someone who grew up on Ft. Collins, but is a CU Alumn, this game is huge. There is nothing I enjoy more then talking s**t and enjoying this game with my CSU family. Football is about rivalries and this is a huge rivarly. Who gives a damn about money, sch, how many home games there are. Football is about passion, and there are no games more passionate then this. There is nothing that pisses me off more then CU fans that don't want the game because the are afraid of the outcome, or afraid to put CSU on the same playing level as CU. As well there is no better time for this rivalry then now. CSU is in a downward spiral, and over the next couple of years CU should have a chance to put it to them.
Look around the country the best games are the interstate rivalries. It doesn't matter how good the teams are, these games are always going to be good matchups. The CU/CSU game should be played ever year for years and years to come!!!!!!!!!
Posted by buffalo_flyer on June 4, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YES, Keep the rammies on the schedule and keep it at Mile High!
Schedule it in prime time, make the TV coverage come to us. This is the PREMIERE game on opening day. It has kicked serious butt since it started and if it goes away because the stoners at CU can't drive to Denver, then CU will be the loser. Folsom can have its 6th game when the other five sell out.
(Requires free registration.)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.