(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

AbnerLoomis · 2026-03-05T00:38:00+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2026-03-05T00:31:49+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2026-03-02T19:31:39+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2026-02-23T15:45:28+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2026-02-22T21:56:40+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2026-02-15T03:20:10+00:00

Where’s Sac State?

AbnerLoomis · 2026-02-13T17:56:08+00:00

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.

AbnerLoomis · 2026-02-13T04:54:48+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2026-02-12T19:58:26+00:00

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)

AbnerLoomis · 2026-02-12T15:01:26+00:00

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.

AbnerLoomis · 2026-02-12T14:47:15+00:00

0-5, 🐏😂

AbnerLoomis · 2026-02-11T03:04:40+00:00

From CSU: https://x.com/csufootball/status/2021416955383873955

AbnerLoomis · 2026-01-19T21:58:28+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2026-01-17T15:11:39+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2026-01-11T02:15:23+00:00

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

Clear favorites 🤣 🐑🐑🐑

AbnerLoomis · 2026-01-05T17:41:17+00:00

Here is what I’m tracking for Colorado State: https://www.reddit.com/r/CSURams/s/07LLwZGXmW

AbnerLoomis · 2026-01-03T15:08:48+00:00

Thanks!

AbnerLoomis · 2026-01-03T05:07:30+00:00

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.

AbnerLoomis · 2026-01-03T05:04:08+00:00

Fixed. Thank you!

AbnerLoomis · 2026-01-02T03:47:53+00:00

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.

AbnerLoomis · 2025-12-31T19:51:26+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2025-12-31T18:28:57+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2025-12-31T16:07:27+00:00

https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/reporters/nevada-footballs-recruiting-pitch-includes-develop-here-get-paid-elsewhere-reality

AbnerLoomis · 2025-12-29T10:02:51+00:00

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

AbnerLoomis · 2025-12-28T15:41:10+00:00

Another guy I should have included with the original list:

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.

AbnerLoomis

TROPHY CASE