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Woelk: Buffs need to make 2009 CSU game a Folsom affair
This corner has never been a fan of the Colorado-Colorado State football game being played in Denver.
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College football games belong on college campuses. Local businesses that support the universities in their towns deserve the economic benefit provided by a home game, and fans who purchase season tickets should be able to sit in the seats they paid for.
(Which, by the way, is seldom the case at Invesco. Fans who have tickets at Folsom Field or Hughes Stadium on the 45-yard-line somehow find themselves in the upper-level end zones at Invesco. It's a questionable strategy by both athletic departments, and it's something that needs to be rectified. Otherwise, make the game an optional part of the season ticket package.)
But overall, the economic reality has been that both schools are able to pocket more revenue when the game is played at Invesco. In CU's case -- at least according to athletic department officials -- it's in the neighborhood of $500,000. A half-mil is nothing to sneeze at.
Thus, we've grudgingly accepted the fact that the annual rivalry game will usually be played in Denver. By no means is it an ideal situation, but in the long run, it's most often a positive outcome for both schools.
The 2009 season, however, is a special case. CU athletic director Mike Bohn has theoption to bring the game back to Boulder -- and he needs to exercise that option.
With the site of the CSU game still undecided, Colorado has just five games at Folsom on the 2009 slate. The first is Sept. 19 against Wyoming; the next isn't until Oct. 17 against Kansas.
That means just one home game in the first five weeks of the season. If you're trying to dull local interest and alienate season ticket holders, you couldn't come up with a better way.
Fact is, CU should never, ever get to the point again that the Buffs have just five games at Folsom.
Former Camera sports editor Dan Creedon, who still follows such things closely, recently pointed out that more and more schools are scheduling seven home games as a means of producing extra revenue. Creedon likes the strategy.
I'd be in favor too -- as long as it doesn't mean the Buffs play four cupcakes.
Six, though, should be the minimum. It's the only honest way to conduct business with season ticket holders and local business owners.
But there's another reason Bohn needs to pull the trigger on a Folsom date with the Rams in 2009: competitive edge.
The 2009 season will be Dan Hawkins' fourth year in Boulder, and the fourth year is usually seen as the first solid measuring stick of a coach's tenure. Virtually all of the players are his recruits, his system should be in place and surprises should be at a minimum.
Hawkins' fourth season in Boulder has the chance to be a special one. His most recent recruiting class -- a top 20 group by virtually every measure -- will have a year under its belt. Meanwhile, a potentially dominant offensive line will be a year older and a year wiser and CU's young defenders should be a seasoned group.
And, the schedule -- both the Big 12 portion and the non-conference slate -- also favors Colorado.
Along with the CSU and Wyoming tilts, the non-conference lineup includes a trip to Miami (Ohio) and West Virginia. The home conference games are Kansas, Missouri, Texas A&M and Nebraska, meaning CU gets the toughest Big 12 North foes at home.
Meanwhile, conference road schedule has just one traditional power: Texas. The rest of the lineup consists of Kansas State, Iowa State and Oklahoma State.
That's a schedule that has the potential for double-digit wins -- and CU needs to assure itself of every edge it can get in that regard.
That means NOT playing the in-state rival in the season opener on a neutral field, no matter how good or bad you might think the Rams will be in Steve Fairchild's second season.
Year-in, year-out, CU certainly must give careful consideration to the financial implications of the game site. It is the department's fiscal responsibility to do so.
But in a year that holds the possibility of being a special one for Colorado -- the kind of year that could be a springboard to long-term success -- the Buffs should take advantage of every benefit possible.
Opening at home against their in-state rival would definitely fit that category.
Posted by flabuff227 on June 8, 2008 at 6:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im guessing, if they play at folsom in 2009. They have to go to hughes in 2010. Which could be the real issue.(no money)
Posted by focobuff on June 8, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CSU will never play the game at Hughes. It would never generate enough revenue. Their entire athletic department relies on the game being at Invesco. That is why the idea is so good. You get a game at Folsom in 2009, and you get to play at a neutral site in 2010. I agree with Neil. CU can afford the financial loss. Play it at Folsom.
Posted by sardine on June 8, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Neil too! There's nothing as GOOD as a game at Folsom, no matter who we play! Also we'll need another Home Game that year, so might as well be with CSU!
GO BUFFS!!!
Posted by bouldabuff on June 8, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only reason for playing the game at Invesco is for the additional revenue, other than that the venue is a disappointment. It's too far away for students and the tailgating stinks compared to home games.
5 home games is a joke for a team like CU -- this needs to be played at Folsom.
Posted by phxbuff on June 8, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BouldaBuff. Seriously, 30-45 min is not really that far away. The students (for the most part) do not care about the commute, the ones who do care are too lazy to get on the bus or find a ride with someone else. Those lazy fans are not dedicated enough and we don't need them at the game anyway. Those are the ones who are leaving early trying to beat the crowds when we all know the CU v. CSU games always go down to the last seconds.
And your complaining about the tailgating at Invesco?? There are virtually no GOOD spots for people to tailgate at in Boulder. Its all house parties and bars before the games. Have you ever been to a real tailgating scene, like Michigan or Notre Dame? Even Mizzou and KU have decent areas.
I can't wait to hear someone complain about the traffic in Denver to and from the game. It will only be a few hours before we see a post regarding that one.
Posted by phxbuff on June 8, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
However I do agree with Sardine and everyone that another home game would be great! Lets make it v. CSU in 2009. I have no problem with that at all.
Posted by houston_buff on June 8, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem is the whole atmosphere. They should bookend the Mile High game with a high profile high school game early (Creek V Mullen or even an out of state power with the previous state champ) in the morning and make it a huge fiesta with out door concerts, etc. Make the high school tix only good for GA up stairs for the second game with several hours between. Push the CSU kick back to prime time so all the students want to and can make the trip. Many CU season tix holders have eschewed that game-parking, lack of atmosphere and sorry to say no beer at the game in favor of other entertainment. Treat the clients like adults. Does anyone think there will be fewer drunks at a Folsom game? C'mon CU-figure out a way to sell out the game in Denver. This is a showcase for the state, not a romp over the guys that have killed us many times in the past. Make it a win-win for both schools and brand it for the future of the contest. Mizzou and KU play at KC. Texas and OU play the Cotton Bowl (never mind that game being moved-both stadiums seat 70K +). Even Arkansas and A/M are moving to Dallas. We look like a bunch of putzes. Give CSU a chance to move up their image and we all win. Otherwise play the game at Folsom in 09 and cancel the whole damn thing at the end of the contract. You can't go half way. If you want easy wins get Fresno, er Montana State-oh, I forgot....
Posted by nwbuff32 on June 9, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Houston-Buff,
I was following you until you said that Fresno State would be an easy win. KSU ( a team that has kicked our butts two years in a row) had a hard time with this team in 2006 and 2007. They backed out of the game for this season. Not an easy win.
Posted by buffdaddy on June 9, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Home games should be played at home. It is disrespectful to the fans and the community to play in Denver. Folsom field should be as much of a part of Colorado football as Ralphie when portraying the school and team to the nation.
It's also about time to end this series, beating CSU should be a given so the only thing CU gets from this game is a chance to be upset by a lesser school from a lesser conference, it's like playing you autistic younger sister. Give me more WVU games and less little sisters!
Posted by william.nicholas on June 9, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would expect if you did an honest polling of CU season ticket holders a vast majority would want to opt out of ever playing csu and certainly they would never want to play at Invesco..the place is horrible, the seating is ridiculous and the tailgating is loads of fun on the cement parking lot...scrub the rammies and give us some solid home and aways with SEC schools, Big-10 teams or a Pac-10 power..and as a footnote, it really is a shame we are dropping LSU..I would have gone to Baton Rouge, but on to Fresno..? you are kidding me..
Posted by buffalo_flyer on June 9, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep this game at Mile High!
The Rocky Mountain Showdown on opening day of cfb will ALWAYS be televised.
CU vs. CSU at Folsom or Hughes doesn't have the same excitement and will end up with regional coverage. Recruiting exposure, revenue, exciting games....moving it back to campus is a WOEEEEK idea.
Posted by houston_buff on June 9, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
nwbuff-
It was a goof. Back in the day CU scheduled Fresno for an easy win and that was the day David Carr locked up the first pick in the NFL draft. Note the inclusion of Montana State which ended with the same result. It was supposed to be sarcastic. The CSU game is a no win for CU.
Posted by BigBuff on June 13, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Put the game in Folsom! Mile High S*cks.
Also, are you kidding me? What is this? Kindergarten?
I got the following response from the Camera:
"Watch your mouth! The word "S---" is not allowed here. "
Posted by Dr_VinniGoombatz on June 14, 2008 at 6:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my, what to do, what to do. Shall we revert back to the original intent of sports at our educational facilities or go for the $$$. I suspect the bucks will win, it usually does, just ask the man made global warming and race bating crowds ;-).
Posted by archalon on June 16, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cancel the CSU series and replace with high-profile home and home series with inter-conference teams.
or
keep it at Invesco and bookend it with other events as suggested. Taste of Denver is around that time, right ? Beseball still playing ? open up the city for a showcase event of concerts, festivals and events.
Make the game part of something bigger, not just a destination in itself.
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