Bobo challenges Rams fans, players
Eyes front, CSU Rams fans. Mike Bobo wants to see your backsides in Denver. And Fort Collins. And Laramie. And — well, everywhere, now that you mention it.
“(The campus), it’s not right here in Denver, but we’re an hour away. And I think everything we’re doing is to make people proud of their university and proud of their athletic program, and that takes a passionate fan base as well,” the fifth-year Rams coach explained Thursday at the inaugural Front Range Media Huddle, a preseason gathering of the area’s college football coaches and players.
“… Now, I’ve got to do my part. The team’s got to do our part, and that’s going out and putting a good product on the field and representing them the right
away. It goes hand-in-hand. But personally, I think the passion needs to be there week-in and week-out, and support their university.”
If it sounds like Bobo is challenging CSU fans — and Rams players — to embrace a sense of urgency, especially coming off a 3-9 campaign, it’s with good reason. Next Friday’s Rocky Mountain Showdown between CSU and CU will be the last under the current contract at Broncos Stadium, with the series moving to CSU’s Canvas Stadium, which opened in 2017, next fall.
The 2020 matchup will be the first time the Rams have hosted the in-state scrum since 1996; CSU will do so again to complete a two-game, home-and-home contract in 2023 (Boulder) and 2024 (Fort Collins) and, in all likelihood, at least two more times during a planned four
game extension that’s tentatively scheduled for 2029-30 and 2033-34.
“If you don’t get it done as a head coach, you don’t get it done, and that next guy’s got to come in,” Bobo continued. “But that passion’s got to be there.”
Passion hasn’t been a problem in recent Showdowns, with attendance for CU-CSU topping the 70,000 mark over back-toback matchups in 2017 (73.932) and 2018 (70,158) for the first time since 2002-03.
Then again, the Buffs were coming off their first Pac-12 South title and a 10-win season in 2017, and Bobo’s Rams had been to three straight bowl games at this time last year. This time around, the state’s two biggest college football programs are coming off a fall in which they both failed to reach the postseason in the same season for the first time since 2012.
“You walk in there, it’s game-time, it’s 50-50 (fans), or close to it, that’s a cool atmosphere to play in,” said Bobo, who’s 0-4 against the Buffs since taking the reins at CSU before the 2015 season. “So the experience is great for them, but then the experience of playing on campus would be awesome, too.
“Last time here, we need to go down there and win one of these things, since we’re not going to have it at Mile High (anymore).”
CU has won 12 of the series’ 18 matchups in Denver; the Buffs hold a 6622-2 edge overall. Notes: Bobo confirmed reports that CSU wideout Braylin Scott won’t be eligible this season, citing academics … CU’s first fall depth chart included a slight twist, with senior Tim Lynott at center after spending the last few seasons as a guard. “It always starts with him,” coach Mel Tucker explained. “Not just carrying out his assignments but making the guys next to him better, by making the right calls, being decisive, playing fast, and those are all the things he’s done.” Sophomore Colby Pursell is listed as the No. 1 right guard, while grad transfers Arlington Hambright (exOklahoma State) and Mikial Onu (ex-SMU) are starting at left tackle and free safety, respectively.