The Zeitgeist List · Rivalries

Rocky Mountain Showdown

Colorado64-22-2Colorado State
Regional Program II#94 of 138–Regional Program IV#117 of 138–
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →

Colorado leads the all-time series 64-22-2. They've met 88 times since 1902. Colorado has won the last 7.

Current season

Vegas win totals and transfer-portal swing right now, plus what fans are actually saying — not history, this year.

Colorado
Transfer portal
-1
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: +27
What fans are saying · coaching decision
One fan believes the coaching staff is making poor in-game decisions
this dumbass coaching staff has genuinely made me lose brain cells. what in the fuck was that timeout
Verified verbatim
Colorado State
Transfer portal
-2
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: -20
What fans are saying · player performance
fans believe Colorado State's defense is underperforming
That was a pretty terrible defense showing. It looked like our strategy was to blitz and "let's see if their QB can make the throws." Apparently he can
Verified verbatim

Stature & the series, 1902–2024

Both programs’ standing over time, each line named at its end, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won. (Stature is each program’s season-by-season standing on the Zeitgeist List, 1936–present — one score blending on-field performance, program achievement, and roster talent.)

program stature over timeColoradoColorado Stateevery meeting (bar height = margin; dark: Colorado won, gray: Colorado State won)192019401960198020002020

The identity war

Colorado has been the more pass-heavy program more often than not.

Across 23 seasons of real play-level data (2004–2026), Colorado led 12 and Colorado State led 11.

more passmore runColoradoColorado State2004200620082010201220142016201820202022202420262006Colorado State 13.9 ptsColorado State won 14-102024Colorado 13.6 ptsColorado won 28-92009Colorado 11.7 ptsColorado State won 23-17
Source team_season_stats (CFBD season totals) · pass rate = passAttempts ÷ (passAttempts + rushingAttempts)

Colorado once won 12 in a row. The biggest win was Colorado by 61 in 1952. The biggest crowd, 76,219, was in 2003.

The coaching duels

Dallas Ward vs Robert Davis5-3
Gary Barnett vs Sonny Lubick4-3
Bill McCartney vs Leon Fuller4-1
Bunny Oakes vs Harry Hughes4-0
Rick Neuheisel vs Sonny Lubick4-0
Dallas Ward vs Tuffy Mullison2-1

The draft ledger

Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.

Draft picks
152-56
Colorado leads
1st-rounders
23-4
Since
1967
First CFBD-carried draft class
ColoradoColorado State
1960s4-4
1970s39-13
1980s14-9
1990s46-7
2000s26-11
2010s15-9
2020s8-3

Best picks, either side

2025Travis Hunter Cornerback · Jacksonville JaguarsRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1974Bo Matthews Running Back · San Diego ChargersRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1979Mike Bell Defensive End · Kansas City ChiefsRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1995Michael Westbrook Wide Receiver · Washington RedskinsRd 1, pick 4#4 overall
1987Kelly Stouffer Quarterback · St. Louis CardinalsRd 1, pick 6#6 overall
1974J.V. Cain Tight End · St. Louis CardinalsRd 1, pick 7#7 overall
1980Mark Haynes Defensive Back · New York GiantsRd 1, pick 8#8 overall
1997Chris Naeole Offensive Guard · New Orleans SaintsRd 1, pick 10#10 overall

Recent meetings

2024Colorado28-9
2023Colorado43-35
2019Colorado52-31
2018Colorado45-13
2017Colorado17-3
2016Colorado44-7
2015Colorado27-24Colorado State — decided by 3
2014Colorado State31-17Colorado — Colorado routed by 14
2013Colorado41-27Colorado State — Colorado State routed by 14
2012Colorado State22-17
2011Colorado28-14
2010Colorado24-3
2009Colorado State23-17
2008Colorado38-17

Every meeting since 2018, play by play

Each line is Colorado’s chance to win through that meeting. The loudest meeting for fans was 2023: firestorm.

2024Colorado 28-9Colorado won 28-9 at Colorado State. Chance to win started at 69%, low 55%, high better than 99%.
2023Colorado 43-35Colorado won 43-35 vs Colorado State. Chance to win started at 93%, low 15%, high better than 99%.Firestorm
2019Colorado 52-31Colorado won 52-31 vs Colorado State. Chance to win started at 83%, low 58%, high better than 99%.
2018Colorado 45-13Colorado won 45-13 vs Colorado State. Chance to win started at 39%, low 39%, high better than 99%.
“Holy Mary mother of god.”
A Colorado fan

Meetings with their own story page

7 meetings in our archive, 2015 to 2024.