Colorado

Colorado Was Far From ‘Perfect Match’ On Football Field In Pac-12

Published

11 months ago

July 30, 2023

Colorado Was Far From ‘Perfect Match’ On Football Field In Pac-12

SAN ANTONIO, TX: Colorado Buffaloes head coach Mike McIntyre makes his feelings known to the … [+] official during the game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Colorado Buffaloes on December 29, 2016, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Naturally, gladhanding and kind words overflow when a conference welcomes a new school. It goes with the territory and was no exception in June 2010 when it was announced Colorado would join the Pac-10 the following summer.

“This is a historic moment for the conference, as the Pac-10 is poised for tremendous growth,” said then-commissioner Larry Scott, whose conference also added Utah and would become the Pac-12. “The University of Colorado is a great fit for the conference both academically and athletically and we are incredibly excited to welcome Colorado to the Pac-10.”

Said then-Colorado president Bruce Benson, “The University of Colorado is a perfect match — academically and athletically — with the Pac-10. Our achievements and aspirations match those of the universities in the conference and we look forward to a productive relationship.”

Colorado has been anything but productive as a Pac-12 member where it matters most: on the gridiron. Far from a “perfect match,” the Buffaloes have been badly overmatched in a conference that has made precious little noise in the College Football Playoff era.

While Deion Sanders may or may not realign the compass of a program he was given free rein to overhaul a year before it returns to the Big 12, Colorado looked out for its interests by re-joining a conference that has reacted to the loss next year of Texas and Oklahoma by adding UCF, Cincinnati and Houston this year and CU next summer.

Of course, there is also the money. Colorado will benefit from the conference’s media rights deal with Fox/ESPN that pays $31.7 million annually to each member institution. The deal was announced last fall and extends through 2031. Indeed, the bottom line seems to always rise to the top among boxes to be checked, doesn’t it? Especially when the conference from which Colorado is departing currently does not have a long-term deal in place and will lose the Los Angeles market with the departure of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten effective next year.

While the grass suddenly appears much greener in Boulder, years of ineptitude have left many seeing red. How bad has it been? The Buffaloes did not exactly join the Pac-12 with a running start. After Dan Hawkins led them to an Independence Bowl berth in 2007, they won only 13 games and went 6-18 in conference play during their final three seasons as a member of the Big 12.

As we know, things did not get any better in the Pac-12. In fact, Colorado was an unsightly 5-40 in conference play during its first five seasons. There was a momentary pivot under Mike MacIntyre in 2016, the coach’s fourth year in Boulder, when the Buffaloes won 10 games and a South Division title. That marks the lone winning full season – the Buffaloes were 4-2 in virus-shortened 2020 – for Colorado since joining the Pac-12.

Meanwhile, the Big 12 has since undergone much change and will be a far different conference than the one Colorado left. The school, which joined the then-Big 7 in 1947 – the conference became known as the Big 8 with the addition of Oklahoma State in 1960 — and spent the final 14 of its 63 years as a member in the rebranded Big 12 following the addition of four former Southwest Conference institutions in 1996, will be part of a conference that will bridge three time zones next season.

Though there will not be a renewal of the Thanksgiving weekend rivalry with Nebraska, which left the Big 12 for the Big Ten the same year Colorado departed, or battles for the Bronze Boot with Missouri, which bolted for the SEC in 2012, the Buffaloes will reacquaint with Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Baylor.

Playing conference games against teams from Oklahoma and Texas once again can only help with recruiting. That alone makes returning to the Big 12 far more appealing than being in the Pac-12 ever was.

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Colorado

Human case of plague surfaces in Colorado

Published

3 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Press Room

Human case of plague surfaces in Colorado

A human case of the plague has turned up in Colorado, health officials say.

There were no immediate details about the victim — including age, gender or condition — or how they contracted the potentially deadly infection.

It was reported in Pueblo County south of Colorado Springs, officials said.

A resident died from the plague in Archuleta County in southwest Colorado last fall — although cases are typically rare in the US, usually numbering fewer than 17 annually, health officials said.

A worrisome human case of the plague has turned up in Pueblo, Colo. Getty Images

Pueblo’s Department of Health notes that the plague was dubbed the “Black Death” during the Middle Ages. PDPHE

“In the Middle Ages, plague was labeled ‘Black Death’ as it swept through Europe killing millions of people,’’ Pueblo County’s Department of Health says on its website, referring to how the horror left many of its victims with black rotting splotches on their bodies.

“Today, improved sanitation practices and rodent control has reduced the threat,” the DOH said.

The infamous bacterial infection is frequently transferred from rodents and their fleas to humans.

Symptoms can include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and headaches.

The disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics if caught early enough, authorities said.

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Colorado

CBS Sports ranks Colorado’s Deion Sanders as second-worst Big 12 coach in 2024

Published

10 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Press Room

CBS Sports ranks Colorado’s Deion Sanders as second-worst Big 12 coach in 2024

The Big 12 prepares to add schools from the “Four Corners” states and says goodbye to Oklahoma and Texas. New coaches for 2024 as the league underwent a significant makeover. Among the league’s twelve incumbent programs, Houston stands as the sole exception to coaching continuity, with Willie Fritz stepping in from Tulane to lead the Cougars.

Utah’s Kyle Whittingham is the most successful of the four coaches joining from the Pac-12. Deion Sanders is set to attract significant attention as he takes the helm of Colorado, a Big 12 charter member re-entering the league it originally helped establish. Arizona and Arizona State also bring new energy, led by Brent Brennan and Kenny Dillingham, respectively, both eager to make their mark as Power Four coaches.

Deion Sanders was ranked as one of the worst coaches in FBS, according to CBS Sports’ staff. He came in as the second-worst in the conference ahead of Dillingham and 61st overall in major college football. Somehow, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule was 29th overall after having a similar season in Lincoln. Here’s what they said about Coach Prime.

“Sanders’ first season as an FBS coach started with a bang, but ended with six straight losses. He’s generated buzz and excitement by talking a big game and collecting strong transfer talent. But the foundation has cracks — see the offensive line for one example — as the Buffaloes transition to the Big 12 and face another tough schedule.”

Where ESPN has Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter going in 2025 NFL mock draft

The Big 12 features several established coaches renowned for their success and respect within the profession. While the league lacks an obvious national title contender, it boasts numerous solid programs guided by experienced tacticians. This depth was highlighted when the league placed eight coaches among the top 30 in the 2024 CBS Sports Power Four coach rankings. This figure matches the prestigious Big Ten and SEC (each with eight coaches in the top 30), and surpasses the ACC, which has five.

Overall, the Big 12’s coaching landscape is a blend of stability and fresh faces, poised to drive the league’s competitive edge forward in the 2024 season. Sanders will be looking to prove the naysayers wrong and insert himself into the conversation of those at the forefront in the Big 12 coaching ranks.

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Colorado

11 things to do around Colorado Springs and beyond: Fan Expo, Rock Ledge Ranch, Monument parade

Published

17 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Press Room

11 things to do around Colorado Springs and beyond: Fan Expo, Rock Ledge Ranch, Monument parade

THURSDAY

Fireworks displays tonight? Absolutely, weather permitting. And the traditional, enjoy from your yards, area-wide celebration featuring music by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and televised, too, is mapped out at coloradospringssports.org/events/4th-of-july In Denver area, fireworks in most cities and after the Rockies Coors Field games, 6:10 p.m. Thursday against Milwaukee Brewers, Friday against KC Royals. Elitch Gardens fireworks after park closes at 9 p.m. Friday.

THURSDAY

July Fourth history comes alive at the traditional Rock Ledge Ranch Family Fourth at Garden of the Gods. Take wagon rides around the historic site, watch dancing by the Seven Falls Indian Dancers, eat ice cream and watermelon, try your luck in the pie-eating contest and hear stories about the past at the Civil War encampment. $10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tickets $4-$8, rockledgeranch.com/event/family-fourth-3

THURSDAY

Everyone’s invited to the community holiday celebration in Monument with its 9:30 a.m. July 4 Parade, Fourth of July Street Fair and so much good food from vendors and at the restaurants. Add to that a beer garden, Palmer Lake Fun Run and festival, ending with fireworks. townofmonument.org/338/4th-of-July-Events

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Head to Denver’s Cherry Creek North for the primo holiday Cherry Creek Arts Festival, one of a kind with 250 artists chosen from 1,942 applicants from around the country and other countries, vendors, food and creative activities for the youngsters. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (6 p.m. Sunday). CherryArts nonprofit provides art education for students year round. cherryarts.org/events/cherry-creek-arts-festival

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

Cosplay, sci-fi, anime, celebrities, comics. They’re all part of the gigantic Fan Expo Denver, Thursday to Sunday at Colorado Convention Center downtown. An expected fandom of 100,000. Show hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sunday). Parking and Light Rail to the Convention Center restricted because of construction. Plan alternatives on RTD Trip Planner. fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/celebrities

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

Racing, a car show, music and fireworks down at PPIR for the ASCEND Music & Motorsports Festival. Time Attack Series and cash prizes, too. 16650 Midway Ranch Road, Fountain. ppir.com

FRIDAY-JULY 10

Holiday rodeo time at the Rooftop Rodeo at Estes Park, called “the rodeo with altitude.” Six days of PRCA rodeo competition and activities. Tickets: $12-$35. rooftoprodeo.com

SATURDAY

Get those yoyo fingers ready to Rock the Baby and even more difficult moves at Mile High Yoyo Club Jamboree 2: Electric Bugaloo, noon to 4 p.m. at 9995 E Colfax Ave., in Aurora. All ages, all yoyo levels, beginner instructions and there will be great tricks to watch. Free club also meets monthly.tinyurl.com/34awuuxy

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Opening weekend for the acclaimed annual Colorado Music Festival, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder. A full summer concert season, chamber and orchestral music and even a “Green Eggs and Ham” family fun concert. coloradomusicfestival.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

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