Nov. 25th – at Utah – Lasting Impressions

In a battle between two teams with 5-6 records, Utah became bowl-eligible with a dominating 34-13 victory over Colorado. The Utes sprinted out to a 28-0 halftime lead, never looking back to post a three-touchdown win, the first game between the teams as members of the Pac-12 decided by more than a touchdown.

Zach Moss ran for a career-high 196 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Utes, while Phillip Lindsay closed out his Colorado career with 18 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown.

“(A bowl game is) a big positive. … It beats the alternative”, said Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. “If we’re sitting here at 5-7 and not going, we’re feeling pretty lousy.”

Of course, the loss left Colorado at 5-7 and “feeling pretty lousy”, completing a worst-to-first-to-worst campaign, finishing the 2017 season as the only team in the Pac-12 South not eligible to compete in a bowl game.

Colorado and Utah came into the 2017 “Rumble in the Rockies” (not that anyone calls it that anymore) with 5-6 records.

The winner would be given the opportunity for a bowl game and a winning season; the loser would finish 5-7 and dead last in the Pac-12 South.

In 13 seasons under Kyle Whittingham, the Utes had gone bowling 11 times.

In five seasons under Mike MacIntyre, the Buffs had gone bowling once.

Simply put, the Utes were used to playing in the post-season; the Buffs were not.

Buffs determined to send out Lindsay, seniors with bowl eligibility … Drew Litton … Neill Woelk: Five Keys to Utah game

The series is close (CU: 32-28-3), with six Pac-12 games decided by 32 points. This Saturday? …

CU and Utah are used to playing close games – “T.I.P.S.” on what will be the deciding factors

The “Rumble in the Rockies” hasn’t produced a rivalry, but the Saturday’s game will have a lasting impact