The Buffaloes and Rams, with their sizable fan bases behind them, strode confidently into Denver on Friday afternoon, turning apountry into a celebration of college football.
There was no shortage of buzz surrounding the 88th installment of the Rocky Mountain Showdown between Colorado and Colorado State. The soundtrack provided by the blaring speakers and constant laughter of tailgate parties — with the aroma only a giant afternoon BBQ can provide — filled the parking lot outside Sports Authority Field at Mile High more than four hours before the 6 p.m. kickoff.
The sounds blended into a chorus of optimism for two programs with plenty to prove. CU entered the season in search of its first bowl-game invite since 2007, firmly believing it has enough talent and experience to finally breakthrough. The Rams, seeking to turn the tables after a 27-24 overtime loss to CU in 2015, are in search of their fourth straight postseason appearance, a stretch they haven’t enjoyed since playing in bowl games from 1999 through 2003.
With the clock reading 45 minutes before kickoff, the teams emerged from the tunnel to begin final preparations, as the sun-baked student sections already filling the vast landscape of seats roared their approval — as they did minutes later when the blast of a cannon shook the stadium.
The endearing pageantry came in waves after that. The bands marching in neat formation onto the field, uniforms neatly pressed. Towels waving in the seats as Ralphie the buffalo waited to stampede over the grass, her handlers running sprints in the end zone to prepare for their moment in the sun.
The stage was set. At long last, it was time for college football.
