Extension of Showdown Series Keeps Big Games Coming for Rams

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State and Colorado announced a six-game extension of the Rocky Mountain Showdown on Tuesday, games which will return the in-state rivalry back to campus venuesand keep big games on the Rams' schedule for years to come.

The last contract expired in 2020, which was supposed to be played at Canvas Stadium. The two teams will play in back-to-back years with two-year breaks in between, starting with 2029-30. A prior contract has the two teams playing in 2023-24, with Canvas Stadium hosting in the 2024, 2029, 2034 and 2038.

CSU Director of Athletics Joe Parker was pleased to announce the finalized deal, talks he said never discussed a two-for-one agreement in favor of the Boulder campus and there will be no financial exchange between the two institutions.

"It's exciting. Its' a great game. It's a game that we all in the state of Colorado care about as it relates to college football," Parker said on a virtual press conference. "I want to thank Rick (George, the CU athletic director) and his staff in Boulder for the dialog that's taken place over the last several months."

In his tenure, Parker has scheduled seven sets of home-and-home games with Autonomous 5 programs, including two with Vanderbilt. He said the games with Colorado – even though the six games announced Tuesday fall into the category – work a little different with the two programs being neighbors on the Front Range.

Still, the ability to do so shows Parker is creative and persistent in his attempt to bring major games to Canvas Stadium.

"It's a little bit different just because of the history that we share with CU and the proximity and the fact we're in the same state, so it is a little different than those other home-and-homes with Autonomous 5 schools," Parker said. "As I've said before, as we look for those opportunities, typically an Autonomous 5 that has a stadium that's less than 60,000 is often times willing to sign up for a home-and-home, just because it's not as advantageous for them to buy those non-conference games. If you have a stadium of 60,000 or more, certainly 80,000 or more, you're never going to get a game."

Only one other Mountain West school has been able to come close – San Diego State – with six home-and-home contracts. Boise State and Fresno State each have three, San Jose State and Hawaii one each, and a few of the schools have agreed to two-for-one contracts to get bigger programs into their stadiums.

In addition, Parker said Colorado State is close to announcing another guarantee game to go along with trips to Iowa (2021), Michigan (2022), Texas (2024) and Wisconsin (2026). With those games, the Rams will play at least two Autonomous 5 program each season from 2021-2026, with three being on the schedule in 2026.

He is still looking for home-and-home deals, but admitted there has been more focus on getting guarantee games on the schedule.

Not only are those great destination games for the fans, but contests he knows the student-athletes will remember forever. Past players have raved about the two Alabama visits, as well as the trip to Florida.

"That was the intent, creating those opportunities," he said. "They're multi-faceted, certainly for our team, just to measure where we're at as a program by playing those tough opponents. We've consistently talked about those games that our students will remember for their entire lives. It's going to be wonderful for those teams to say that they played in Austin, Texas as DKR Memorial Stadium. To walk into Michigan Stadium through a singular tunnel that accommodates both teams is a pretty special experience.

"Same at Iowa. They have a really energized fan bases and some neat traditions, so I think it will be great for our fans and our students to experience that. We do all of these things in partnership with our Alumni Association, so our fan base typically circles one game. I don't see great turnouts at our conference schedule at road games typically, but certainly, when we have Autonomous 5 showings when we go into Florida and Arkansas and have those opportunities to play on the road, so I expect those games to be highly attended by CSU Rams and a great experience for everyone."

Colorado State's non-conference football schedule is booked through the 2024 season; the Rams need two more games to complete 2025, one more in 2026. Three games are needed from 2027-2030, with only the final part of the Colorado extension on the slate beyond those years. The current trend in college football scheduling means those contracts are being discussed now, or will be soon.

"There's just been a big shift across the country with people trying to lock in their non-conference opponents much earlier," Parker said.

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