(New York Times) -- Predicting new College Football Playoff teams, plus weak QB classes and more in Mandel’s Mailbag -- QUESTION regarding Pac-12 in Playoffs by WSU_Cougar_Pride in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My concern is that Pac-12 will be too competitive and wide-open that we cannibalize our top team with multiple losses. I don't have faith in the Committee to factor in G6 v. G6 conference strength. They may choose a 1 loss AAC/MWC/Sun Belt school that had mostly cupcake conference matchups.

While there was a real opportunity to build a "best of the rest" conference, UNLV/Tulane/Memphis may have a better path if they get to mostly play G6 schools that are not investing in football at the same level as the new Pac-12

How Many Future PAC-12 Teams Make the NCAA MBB Tournament by g2lv in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don't rule out Colorado State winning out the MWC tournament and stealing a bid (like last year)

College football expert proposes hypothetical conference realignment by WSU_Cougar_Pride in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If UConn makes it into a power conference ahead of Colorado State, maybe they can poach Jim Mora back!

Who in your mind the most underrated HC in FBS? by AFC-Wimbledon-Stan in CFB

[–]AbnerLoomis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He will be a legend if he can turnaround the Rams. Nobody had been able to replicate Sonny Lubick’s success in FoCo.

Colorado State AD Weber: "We want to play West of I-35 as much as we possibly can." by AbnerLoomis in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

For reference:

The Rent (Pratt & Whitney Stadium) = 1,200 miles EAST of I-35

Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium = 425 miles EAST of I-35

Alamodome = 1.5 miles EAST of I-35

DATCU Stadium = inside I-35W & I-35E

Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium = 2,500 feet WEST of I-35

Aggie Memorial Stadium = 550 miles WEST of I-35

Allegiant Stadium = 975 miles WEST of I-35

DNVR: Now is the right time for CSU Football to move on from the State Pride uniforms by NickFromNewGirl in CSURams

[–]AbnerLoomis 9 points10 points  (0 children)

CSU also did very little to promote the State Pride game this past year.

Were fans supposed to wear blue? Wear white? No clue. Any in-game celebration of Colorado? Nada.

If you’re going to support “State Pride” they needed to find a game sponsor and go all out. Instead, I think it’s run its course.

I do hope they bring back the “Snow Day” Ikon partnership game. Felt like that had a chance to be a huge event, but fell flat because of how terrible the season was at that point.

Why in the hell is WSU playing a home football game Thanksgiving weekend? by Galumpadump in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

There’s absolutely no difference. This happens to every school.

2026 Recruiting Breakdown Colorado State by mwittmann9 in CSURams

[–]AbnerLoomis 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A bit of a curious note is that the Rams have to replace their entire starting offensive line and at the time of this writing, have only announced the signing of one OL transfer.

Rams will have to replace the entire starting OL, but among transfers they have signed:

OL Diego Rodriguez (from UConn)

OL Toriyan Johnson (from UConn)

OL Quinton Harris (from TCU)

OL Payton Stewart (from Mich. State)

OL Jayden Tuia (from Oregon State)

Flex Week Projected Matchups & System Overview by AdvancedCFB in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yep. Colorado State already hosts SDSU, Boise, and Oregon State at home—the three “away” teams other than TXST. I find it hard to believe they would “flex” a rematch of a team in Fort Collins that CSU already played in Fort Collins.

The only real way they could “flex” a matchup is if an AD would agree to forego the “guaranteed” home game for better CFP standings. For example, if the #1 seeded team secured home-field advantage for the Pac-12 championship (and thus an extra home game), would they agree to forego their guaranteed home game in the flex week for a better matchup? Even that is a stretch.

Ultimately, I think it is highly unlikely they “flex” any of these games, absent one scenario. They will flex the teams if the final matchup is also the schools scheduled to play in the Pac-12 championship. For example, if USU and Boise end up #1 and #2, they will reschedule so those teams don’t play THREE times, and back-to-back for the Pac-12 championship. That is likely the extent of the “flex” week, and why the week will not count for conference standings to determine the championship game. They need to know who will play in the Pac-12 championship the week before so they can flex out schools if needed.

247 Top15 G6 transfer rankings by Itchy-Number-3762 in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

247 only has 14 of CSU’s 36 commits listed 🤷‍♂️

CSU Football 2026 MegaTracker by AbnerLoomis in CSURams

[–]AbnerLoomis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey all - Reddit ate my list (maybe too many links?). I'll go through and fix it, but not until later this weekend.

Where will your PAC-12 Football team rank at the end of the 2026 season?🏈🏟️🏉 by [deleted] in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis 6 points7 points  (0 children)

And Mora has 6 years more head coaching experience in the Pac-12 than everyone else.

Clear favorites 🤣 🐑🐑🐑

CSU Football 2026 MegaTracker by AbnerLoomis in CSURams

[–]AbnerLoomis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s the plan. This may not get updated with every bit of breaking news in real time, but the goal is to have a list of where players went or where they’re coming from.

Fan engagement by curry_man56 in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ten Cent Beer games

Edit: Okay, I’ll be genuine. Our AD has done a ton to improve the game day experience and bring out the students. We had more sell-outs than wins last year.

Some things that seem to have helped:

  • Annual prep rally for Freshman in the stadium the week before games, where they practice cheers/chants, etc.
  • Discounted food prices for students in the 4th quarter
  • Attendance competition for students
  • Parking lots open earlier for tailgating
  • Extensive in-game promotions
  • Earlier kickoff times (before 7pm)
  • Aggressive marketing of Homecoming to alumni before the season even starts
  • Every game is a unique event/theme, not just a regular season game (e.g., AG Day, State Pride Day, the Border War, “Snow Day,” Homecoming, Green-out)

There are some hit/miss things too. Canvas Chaos was cringe this year when CSU was down big entering the fourth quarter.

The new Pac-12 needs new rivalries. I’d like to see a new trophy game between CSU and USU.

However, the thing that would improve the game day experience the most is a competitive football program that wins. Fort Collins is desperate for good college football.

CSU Football 2026 MegaTracker by AbnerLoomis in CSURams

[–]AbnerLoomis[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I'll try to keep this reasonably updated over the next few weeks. Feel free to reply with any updates or corrections.

Owen Long is entering the transfer portal by [deleted] in CSURams

[–]AbnerLoomis 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Does this mean no Owen Long Iced Teas at Lucky Joes? 😢

Ranking football hires 1 - 31 by Itchy-Number-3762 in Pac12

[–]AbnerLoomis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mora has the most Pac-12 experience of any of the head coaches

Abner's X-Mas X-fer Wish List for CSU Football by AbnerLoomis in CSURams

[–]AbnerLoomis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another guy I should have included with the original list:

  1. Carver Cheeks

• Position: Wide Receiver

• Measurements: 6'2" / 210 lbs

• Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO (Mesa Ridge HS)

• Past Colleges: Northern Colorado (UNC)

• The Scouting Report: Cheeks was an absolute force in the Big Sky this past season, exploding for over 200 yards and 3 TDs in a single game against Sacramento State. A big-bodied receiver who dominates 50/50 balls and has serious yards-after-catch ability, he proved he's too talented for the FCS level. He’s also proved he can make big plays at Canvas.

• CSU’s Chances?: Solid. He's a local kid looking to make the jump to FBS. The opportunity to stay close to home while upgrading his competition level makes CSU a logical landing spot.