BOULDER — A few blocks over from the Coors Events Center is Coors Field West.
On a cloudless Boulder Saturday — well, no clouds in the sky, anyway — thousands of Coloradans relaxed inside sun-baked Folsom Field, occasionally paying attention to the subpar secondary entertainment that was this college football game. Sure, there were those blog-obsessed diehards, passionately barking amid the malaise in the stands, but this Colorado Buffaloes crowd seemed like a Colorado Rockies crowd.
Perhaps because the Buffs are the Rockies of the Pac-12, stuck in the mud, overwhelmed by wealthy rivals and middling mediocrity.
With numerous nationally ranked teams looming on the schedule, CU’s sometimes-sloppy Saturday was good enough to top Hawaii 21-12, while the visitors on a 13-game road losing streak couldn’t muster a touchdown.
Also looming was a monstrous construction crane over the stadium, reminding all that at least Colorado is trying something. Late to the party, CU is finally trying to gussy up its football program in renovations. Fancy cushioned seats and fancy meats for those in fancy sunshades. Yes, the Rockies upgraded Coors Field this season with The Rooftop, and going to Rockies games remains super fun. But the CU upgrade is directly connected to the hopeful upgrade in recruiting classes. The Rooftop isn’t wooing
“It can definitely help a football team,” CU sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau said Saturday. “We’re getting a new strength room, and that’ll allow more people to lift at once. We kind of have a small one right now. By no means is it under-par, but we’re taking the next step, and that goes for recruiting and everything — everyone’s all into the (bright) lights, new stuff, new technology, like the Oregons and all that.”
Over in Denver on Saturday, the Rockies hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Cal Bears of the National League. Counting this abysmal campaign, the Rockies have lost at least 88 games in each of the past four seasons.
Some people have said — enough piling on the Rockies. It’s Broncos season now, anyway.
Well, is this a big-league town or not? The Rockies must be held accountable for their underachievement throughout the season, not just when it’s convenient. I respect owner Dick Monfort’s passion. As my columnist colleague Mark Kiszla wrote this summer, “Dick and Charlie Monfort are good men. They love Colorado. I honestly believe they want to win a World Series. But here’s the sad part: The Monforts don’t know how to win.”
I say everything must be questioned this offseason, from the front office to Dinger.
Yes, Dinger, the worst mascot in pro sports. Barney on meth. This thing is an embarrassment to the fans and symbolizes the hokey mom-and-popness that has plagued this franchise. Spinning his head 360 degrees Crouching behind home plate in the late innings and taunting the opposing pitcher? Is it possible for a mascot to be considered “Bush League”?
As for the front office, I’ll keep saying it until it happens — the franchise needs a president to resuscitate and rethink the Rockies. Dick, either make major changes to shake things up, or just put this on a banner outside 20th and Blake: “We can’t pitch in the altitude, the NL West is too stacked, and we can’t develop players consistently … so at least come out and watch a batting champ and some all-stars before they get hurt! And did I mention The Rooftop?”
Here at Coors Field West, the Saturday crowd of 39,478 floated all afternoon. It was a fine day, a fun day — and the home team actually won — but you seldom felt the energy of big-conference college football. Why would you? These days, this isn’t a football school — it’s a school with a football game to attend on sunny Saturdays.
Maybe the culture will change here — $181 million is a bunch of bucks. But here’s the catch: Nothing is guaranteed. CU is simply playing catch-up ball in a conference featuring football teams with sugar daddies.
At least they’re trying something.
Benjamin Hochman: bhochman@denverpost.com or
