The rivalry between the Colorado Buffaloes and Utah Utes is a fascinating “what if” scenario. Despite being labeled as rivals when they joined the Pac-12 in 2011, the rivalry never quite took off like the Buffs’ beef with the Colorado State Rams and Nebraska Cornhuskers. However, had things gone differently, Colorado could have viewed Utah with a similar disdain.
Before joining the Pac-12, the Buffs and Utes were conference foes, sharing two conferences before that. Their game history dates back to the early 1900s, with CU winning four out of the six nonconference games they played against Utah from 1903 to 1908. From 1910 to 1947, they faced off as conference rivals in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and then the Mountain States Conference. Even after CU moved on to the Big 7 in 1948, the teams continued to play each other annually until 1962.
The teams did not meet again until 2011 when both joined the Pac-12. During their time in the Pac-12, Utah dominated with an 11-2 record, bringing the overall series standings to 35-32-3 in favor of the Utes. With Colorado’s move to the Big 12, fans are hoping that tides will turn back in favor of their beloved Buffaloes.
