FORT COLLINS — Back in the day, Raiders vs. Broncos was an eye- gouging, trash-talking, full-blown rivalry. These days? Not so much.
But at high noon Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, the real rivalry gets down and dirty when the Wyoming Cowboys host the Colorado State Rams. In the oldest rivalry for both schools, they will meet for the 100th time.
Border War, indeed. Bronze Boot on the line.
But there’s more on the line Saturday than interstate bragging rights. This game has more subplots than a soap opera.
Wyoming coach Joe Glenn’s job could be in jeopardy, and Saturday’s outcome might determine his future. In Laramie, the Cowboys are circling the wagons. Athletic director Tom Burman is not talking to the media about Glenn’s future, and players and coaches have been told to zip their lips.
“It isn’t hard,” Glenn told the Casper Star-Tribune earlier this week before cutting off interviews about his job security. “You just be yourself and go on with it and coach, I guess. That’s it.”
Through the sports information office, Burman has declined interviews this week on the subject and said he stands by his statement from earlier this season, when he told The Denver Post, “At the end of the year, we will assess the program and the full body of work.”
Despite a surprise victory two weeks ago at Tennessee, last Thursday’s 22-14 loss at UNLV means the Cowboys (4-7, 1-6 Mountain West) won’t have a winning record for the fourth consecutive season. Wyoming is 30-40 in Glenn’s six seasons.
Burman, a Laramie native and a Wyoming graduate, also said in September: “We expect to have winning records here. . . . We don’t go into a season saying, ‘Boy, if we go 6-6, that’s success.’ I don’t want to get to that point.”
In June 2006, Glenn received an extension that carried him through the 2010 season. If that contract is met, a stipulation had him receiving $300,000 in retirement compensation. With incentives, his contract is about $450,000 a year.
CSU took the Boot last year, winning 36-28 in what turned out to be Sonny Lubick’s final game as head coach. It was an emotional day. Saturday should be, too.
Glenn was the one who confirmed the Lubick dismissal when after the game Glenn said Lubick told him at midfield he was leaving after 15 seasons.
This time, the Rams (5-6, 3-4 in MWC) need a victory to become bowl-eligible. Even if coaches won’t come out and say so, dreams of a possible bowl bid will be a factor in Saturday’s game.
“There are too many ingredients in this game not to get motivated,” CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said. “First of all, it’s Wyoming. They are always a tough football team, and this game means a lot to us and our fans.”
Also, with a win, Steve Fairchild would become CSU’s first first-year coach to win six games in a season. He has already played a lead part in this rivalry.
As the Rams’ quarterback in 1980, Fairchild threw for 406 yards and drove his team 80 yards for a late touchdown in CSU’s 28-25 victory against the Cowboys in a game played at Hughes Stadium.
“We will kind of enlighten our football team on the history of this rivalry and how important it is not only to us, but to a lot of people,” Fairchild said. “It’s a great rivalry. It’s a tremendous, tremendous football game.”
And it’s all symbolized by the Boot, which is an actual bronzed combat boot worn in Vietnam by CSU graduate Dan Romero. Beginning in 1968, ROTC units at each school made it a unique traveling trophy. Each team has won 20 of the 40 games played for the Boot. CSU leads the all-time series, which dates to Nov. 23, 1899, 54-40-5.
Today, when the units meet for the Bronze Boot Run to exchange the game ball at the border, Fairchild will be on hand and will ride back to campus in a Blackhawk helicopter.
“This is the biggest game of the year,” said Wyoming’s Greg Bolling, a junior wide receiver from Aurora’s Gateway High School. “When it comes to ‘Sheep Week,’ we have to put on our boots and go.”
Facing an uncertain future, Glenn still says the game’s the thing.
“Pride is on the line,” Glenn said. “We are going to fight hard to bring that (Bronze Boot) back. The Boot is just a boot, but it’s all about what it stands for.”
Lindsey Korsick contributed to this report.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
The Lowdown
By Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
COLORADO STATE (5-6, 3-4 MWC)
Player to watch: S Elijah-Blu Smith.
Fully healed from a broken foot, Smith is thriving in his new position. In the Rams’ 20-6 win over New Mexico on Saturday, the freshman made tackles on the Lobos’ first three plays and finished with 10 total tackles. Considering his penchant for hard hits and Wyoming’s tendency to turn the ball over, Smith could figure in some game-changing plays.
Key for the Rams: Mix up their offense.
The Rams are putting together a potent running attack and a quick-strike passing game at just the right time. The Cowboys have a rugged defense (ranked fourth in the MWC), and CSU can’t afford to become one-dimensional.
WYOMING (4-7, 1-6 MWC)
Player to watch: RB Devin Moore.
Look for the Cowboys to pound Moore into CSU’s 99th-ranked rushing defense. His 91 yards last week gave him 1,225 heading into the final week. His explosive speed and ability to find holes are reasons for the Rams to worry.
Key for the Cowboys: Take care of the ball.
In a crushing 22-14 loss to UNLV last week, three turnovers in the fourth quarter — two tipped passes for interceptions and a fumble on a punt — doomed Wyoming. The Cowboys have 33 turnovers this season.
