Rocky Mountain Showdown 'Good For The State, Good For Each Program'
DENVER (CBS4) - The 2015 Rocky Mountain Showdown between the Colorado State University Rams and University of Colorado Buffaloes at Sports Authority Field at Mile High is fast approaching, so former Buff Darian Hagan and former Ram Shaquil Barrett joined CBS4's Vic Lombardi on Xfinity Monday Live to talk about the rivalry.
Hagan, quarterback for the Buffs from 1988 to 1991, is now the director of player development for the team.
"It really means that I'm a big brother, a mentor, father figure; make sure I keep everything in order, make sure they're doing the correct things on the field and off the field," Hagan said.
Barrett, linebacker for the Rams from 2011 to 2013 and now a member of the Denver Broncos, says he doesn't really miss being in school.
"I'm tired of the homework and all the papers and that stuff. I'm enjoying my family time and football 24/7 takes up all that time, so I'm good," Barrett said.
When it comes to the Buffs and Rams, there's always a little spark when it comes to the rivalry.
"Absolutely, we look forward to the game every year … anytime both teams are really good it's good for college football. CSU was good last year and now we're embarking on that same plateau; I think we're going to be really good this year," Hagan said. "So anytime we can get a chance to play CSU it's good for the state and good for each program."
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Barrett said when he played in the Rocky Mountain Showdown he remembers it being a tough and physical game.
"Everybody wants it real bad for the city. It's like us, Air Force, CU; we want a clean sweep in Colorado … we want to show everybody that we're the best team in Colorado. It's bragging rights for that whole year," Barrett said.
The Buffs own a 62-22-2 record in the series and are 8-6 in games played in Denver, but the Rams have won the last two out of three in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. Lombardi asked Barrett if he believes CSU is now on par with CU in terms of program, pedigree and reputation.
"We still have a lot to accomplish, but as of right now we're building and we're getting up there … we've just got to keep replenishing every year and just keep building on that," Barrett said. "We'll catch up with them sooner or later."
Hagan was on the CU team that beat the Rams in 1989, but back then the game was played in Boulder and had a different feel to it.
"The game was played on campus and that was an exciting time for us and our students. Anytime you can play in your home stadium against your rival, it's a great deal," Hagan said. "Our coach would say, 'It's going to be a hard game because a lot of those guys wanted to be Buffs.' So it was a challenge for us to get up and play that game."
The Rams have a new head coach this year after Jim McElwain left for Florida. Barrett said he got a chance to meet new coach Mike Bobo when he came down from Fort Collins to watch a Broncos practice.
"I talked to him, he's a good guy. I like the way the players talk about him. They say he's going to come in and keep up what Coach Mac started. I thought it was going to be hard to find a guy who could do that, but they said Coach Bobo is going to keep that up and keep going in the right direction."
It's the third year for Mike MacIntyre as head coach of the Buffs. There are high expectations for a team that last year had a potent offense but just couldn't seem to come out on top in close games.
"We have to win. I think, year three. We've put together some really good recruiting classes. We have some talent now, we have some guys who are home run hitters," Hagan said. "We didn't have that in the past. So I think, year three, we have to win some games, which I think we will. I believe in his philosophy, our guys … are all in. I think we're going to have a pretty good season."
It will be the 87th time the teams have played. The series began in 1893 and has been played every year since 1995.
The game is on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.
- By Matthew J. Buettner, CBSDenver.com
In the below videos Darian Hagan and Shaquil Barrett preview the game, discuss the fans and sing their respective fight songs:
