The 12-team playoff proposal went from secret discussions to almost a done deal in just a few weeks … How will the Playoffs affect the Pac-12 and CU? … And what would CU’s chances have been in prior seasons? … Plus: A look back at 2001 CU/Nebraska (62-36!) and 2016 CU/Oregon (Witherspoon!) …

1986: A big second half lifts Buffs over Oklahoma State … **1991: CU’s “Ice Bowl” 19-19 tie with Nebraska** … 1996: Detmer & Carruth set records in rout of Missouri … 2001: Buffs use 33-yard two-point conversion to beat Oklahoma State … 2016: Win over Stanford gives CU bowl-eligibility for the first time since 2007 …

In his final essay, VK Berlin takes a look at CU’s defense over its Pac-12 run, and, this just in … Defense wins games … Will the new defensive coaching structure get the Buffs to the next level? Facts indicate it has a great chance of doing so this year and going forward …

**1986: “Signature Wins of All Signature Wins” – 20-10 win over No. 3 Nebraska** … 1991: A 10-0 win over an improved K-State … 1996: John Hessler to the rescue in 28-24 win over Texas … 2001: Phillip Lindsay goes for 219 yards and three scores in 40-16 win over Arizona State …

Hitting mid-season … 1986: Win over Iowa State sets up showdown with Nebraska … 1991: Buffs use two 99-yard drives to upset No. 12 Oklahoma … 2001: “This One’s For Fred” – Buffs take out No. 25 Texas A&M … 2016: Buffs’ momentum doesn’t carry over to game against USC …

Cheating in recruiting is commonplace, right? … But blatant flaunting of the rules – during a pandemic? Throw in the fact that the crack NCAA investigative staff has been given documentation of the cheating on a silver platter, and you may have a story which is not going to go away anytime soon …

In VK Berlin’s third – and perhaps last? – ramblings, he takes on the preseason magazines and their distain for CU football, takes a look at the makeup of the CU roster, and … well, rambles …

1986: Close loss to No. 10 Arizona … 1991: Loss to Stanford eliminates CU from national title race … 1996: First-ever Big 12 game a big win over A&M … 2001: Game Four cancelled (story on the week of 9/11) … 2016: CU 41, Oregon 38 – Witherspoon’s interception preserves program changing victory (including videos) …

A 12-team playoff would mean a dilution of meaning for the Rose Bowl (and possible elimination of minor bowls, reducing chances for 6-6 and 7-5 teams to earn post-season berths), but, had their been a 12-team playoff in 2016, the Buffs would have been in the mix …

Big Ten matchups … 1986: 13-10 road loss to Ohio State … 1991: A 58-0 rout of Minnesota (612 yards of total offense) … 1996: Buffs fall to No. 11 Michigan with ESPN Gameday on hand … 2001: 51-15 rout of San Jose State (560 yards of total offense) … 2016: Buffs take 14-0 lead over No. 4 Michigan before falling, 45-28 …