On this glorious dual anniversary occasion for the University of Colorado — 100th season in Folsom Field, 50 years since my freshman campaign in Boulder — it feels like the perfect time to welcome the Buffs back to the Big 12.
Reported Wednesday to be in the works, the CU Board of Regents made it official with a unanimous vote Thursday afternoon in Boulder. Absent for 12 years — the school did not exactly distinguish itself as a football or basketball power in the Pac-12 — the Buffs should be greeted with open arms as the Big 12 wages its little struggles with rival conferences.
No, they aren’t going to replace Oklahoma or Texas in any fashion. But it’s a state school, a prominent one, and while some of us may doubt whether Deion Sanders is going to restore the school to a regular place in the Top 20, there’s little doubt that Boulder is attractive enough in numerous ways for the top athletic programs to get back on their feet.
It’s not like Colorado was bad or ill-equipped in its first run here after the Big Eight merged with what was left of the Southwest Conference to comprise the Big 12. The Buffs had a 60-60 conference record in football over 15 years — better than Mizzou, not quite as good as the Aggies. Right in the middle. Anyone remember Colorado 39, Texas 37 for the Big 12 title?
Well, that can’t happen again, but maybe Colorado-Baylor? Colorado-Houston? All outcomes are possible in the ever-changing college landscape.
Obviously a 13-team conference isn’t likely to last long, so we will have to wait beyond that CU Regents’ meeting to learn if there is, in fact, another Pac-12 member ready to disengage.
At the recent Big 12 Media Days held at AT&T Stadium, new commissioner Brett Yormark was asked about the possibility of a Colorado return. “Listen, they know brand. I’m a brand guy,’’ Yormark said.
Whether San Diego State or another Pac-12 school manages to come along, the CU addition is solid. You want large state schools, and even if the Denver market isn’t one of the biggest in the nation, it’s one the Big 12 lacked and one the Buffs can own when they are competitive. That’s where Colorado needs work. During their dozen Pac-12 seasons, the Buffs reached one Pac-12 football title game and got swamped by Washington, 41-10.
Maybe Sanders has genuine tricks up his sleeve. Maybe in an NIL world, the school’s recent failed past is less important than what the boosters can put together to bring about change.
I want to see who the 14th team is, for sure, but, regardless, Colorado is about as close to a big-time addition as this conference is likely to make. Just look and compare the Buffs to the new arrivals — Brigham Young, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston.
Yormark isn’t going to pry any of the 30 schools out of the SEC and Big Ten. So you set your targets on the rest. Colorado has been here before and passed the test as a solidly competitive team and — if this still matters to anyone out there — a reasonable geographic fit.
The Buffs will bring a few eyeballs to the scene, and they won’t poach too many football or basketball titles from anyone. Sounds like a school deserving of one more walk down the Big 12 welcome mat.
Twitter: @TimCowlishaw
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