Colorado, Colorado State rivalry exploring schedule options.

In 1906, the University of Colorado and Colorado State played to a 0-0 tie in Fort Collins, and over the next 52 years, the Buffaloes and Rams faced each other on the football field in all but two seasons. It took World War II to end the series.

CU and CSU will play Friday evening in Denver, and meet again in 2018 and 2019 in Denver before the Rams play host in 2020. And then, the potential for a return to annual Rocky Mountain Showdowns is slim. Officials from both universities confirmed a long-term deal between the schools, like the 10-year extension reached in 2009, is unlikely due to changing philosophies on scheduling.

A noted shift in tone regarding the matchup was foreshadowed by CU athletic director Rick George in February 2015.

“After the current contract, playing the (Showdown) game in Denver is dead,” George said, “and I’m not sure where our series with CSU goes after that either.”

For the first time since 1994, the Showdown will stop in 2021 and 2022, as CU’s nonconference schedule has been completed without the Rams on it. The Rams are yet to complete their nonconference schedule for those two years.

The next feasible option for the rivalry renewal arrives in 2023 and 2024. While a contractual agreement has yet to be finalized, both schools have come to a “verbal agreement” to schedule a home-and-away series those years, with the Showdown in Boulder the first year, then Fort Collins the following year.

“It’s a discussion that we’ve both said makes sense for us,” CSU athletic director Joe Parker said. “We’re waiting for them to sign and return it.”

Both schools have open nonconference dates from 2025 and beyond, but even then, the schools aren’t anticipating a resumption of the rivalry on an annual basis. The Rams have scheduled home-and-away games with Power Five schools Texas Tech and Vanderbilt in 2025 and 2026, and Parker said, “I don’t think we’ll want to play another Power Five in those years.”

It sets up the likelihood of a two-years on and two-years off rotation for the Rocky Mountain Showdown, as each school has nonconference dates available in 2028 and 2029.

With a rapidly evolving college football landscape, including the potential for further conference realignment, CU and CSU are taking a historically short-term approach to provide flexibility in scheduling.

Senior CU linebacker Derek McCartney, grandson of former Buffs’ coach Bill McCartney, used to be a kid watching the Showdown from the stands at Mile High. McCartney said, “I just always remember loving those games.” He once dreamed of playing on that field against CSU, and come Friday, McCartney will put his final stamp on the Showdown.

He understands the politics at play. That doesn’t change his heart in the matter.

“It is what it is,” McCartney said, “but I’d like for us to have it.”