The Rival Rundown: Colorado vs Colorado State

By Sara C

Welcome back to The Rival Rundown! If you’ve always wanted to give props to your school on CC, now’s your chance! Shoot us an email explaining what’s awesome and unique about your school (or what stinks about Rival U) atrivalrundown@collegecandy.com!

Travel to the Rocky Mountain state and you’ll find breathtaking scenery, mile-high stadiums (and all sorts of altitude-specific attractions), and the rivalry between the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. How do these schools stack up?

Quick Facts

Colorado: The University of Colorado-Boulder is a public research institution in Boulder, CO with 26,000 undergraduates.
Colorado State: Colorado State University, located in Fort Collins, CO, is a public research university with 21,000 undergraduates.

1. Rocky Mountain Showdown Record

Colorado: 59 wins, 20 losses
Colorado State: 20 wins, 59 losses (2 ties)

Three credits to: Colorado

2. Mascot Matchup

Colorado: It’s not uncommon to be fiercely proud of one’s mascot, but the folks at Colorado show extraordinary allegiance to Ralphie the Buffalo–and yes, she’s an actual buffalo (not some frat boy in a plushie get-up). Check out her extremely motivating highlights video here.
Colorado State: Fort Collins is home to CAM the Ram and all her Ram Fans. CAM is so named for the acronym of the former title of the university, Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Three credits to: Colorado. It takes GUTS to run with an animal that large!

3. Fun Facts

Colorado: Also noted for their prowess in cross-country running, the Colorado runners were the subject of the book Running with the Buffaloes, about the quest of their 1998 team to win the NCAA championship.
Colorado State: CSU fans have some rather unique ways to cheer on their Rams. Ever hear of Trombone Suicides? Me, neither, until I saw this fascinating little vid. And if band stunts aren’t enough, you can bet it’ll be fun to get hammered and chant this fight song.

Three credits to:  Colorado State. That trombone trick is FREAKY!

4. Ass-Kicking Alumni

Colorado: Adam and Kara Goucher, Kordell Stewart
Colorado State: Amy Van Dyken, Kim Ung-Yong (Guiness Book of World Records, Highest IQ)

Three credits to: Colorado State, if only for Kim Ung-Yong. The kid got his PhD at 15 (and began his bachelor’s at 3)!

5. Acceptance Rate Agony

Colorado: 78%
Colorado State: 85.5%

Three credits to:  Colorado

And the diploma goes to: Colorado by a nose! The Rams certainly have the spirit, but the Buffs have the stats!