Northern Colorado football vs Colorado State Rams football. It isn’t the Rocky Mountain Showdown. It doesn't get the national TV slots or the massive NIL deals that Boulder enjoys. But if you live anywhere near the I-25 corridor between Greeley and Fort Collins, you know this game hits differently. It’s about bragging rights in the office. It’s about families split between green and gold or navy and gold.
Honestly, it’s a lopsided history on paper, but the actual games? They’ve been weirdly stressful for the Rams lately.
Why the Northern Colorado Football vs Colorado State Rams Football Game is Sneaky Intense
The history between these two programs stretches back over a century. We’re talking all the way back to 1900. Back then, Colorado State was the Colorado Agricultural College (the Aggies), and Northern Colorado was the Colorado State Normal School. A lot has changed since those leather-helmet days, but the geographic proximity makes it a "backyard" scrap that neither side wants to lose.
For Colorado State, a loss to UNC is a disaster. It’s the kind of thing that gets a coach's seat warm real fast. For Northern Colorado, it’s their Super Bowl. They are the FCS underdog looking to punch the big brother from the Mountain West right in the mouth.
The Recent Heartbreak in Fort Collins
If you watched the matchup on September 6, 2025, you saw exactly why FBS teams hate playing these "guarantee" games against hungry FCS neighbors. The Rams escaped with a 21-17 victory, but it was ugly. Really ugly.
UNC actually led 10-0 at halftime. Imagine 36,000 fans at Canvas Stadium just sitting there in total silence. The Bears, led by quarterback Kia'i Keone and later Eric Gibson Jr., were moving the ball. The defense was flying around—Ezra Ekuban was living in the Rams' backfield, even forcing a fumble that led to a score.
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CSU eventually woke up. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi found some rhythm, and Lloyd Avant basically put the team on his back with two rushing touchdowns. But let’s be real: the Bears were one controversial late-fourth-quarter call away from pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Colorado sports history.
A History of Rams Dominance (With a Few Scares)
CSU leads the all-time series by a massive margin. They haven't lost to the Bears since... well, a very long time. In fact, since UNC moved up to Division I (FCS) in the mid-2000s, the Rams have taken every meeting:
- 2025: CSU 21, UNC 17
- 2024: CSU 38, UNC 17
- 2016: CSU 47, UNC 21
- 2011: CSU 33, UNC 14
The scores used to be blowouts. Now? They're tightening up. The gap between the top of the Big Sky Conference and the middle of the Mountain West is shrinking, mostly because of the transfer portal.
The Recruiting War in the 970
The real battle for northern Colorado football vs colorado state rams football happens in living rooms in Windsor, Loveland, and Longmont. Both schools recruit the same local talent.
Often, a kid who is a "preferred walk-on" or a backup at CSU could be a four-year starter at UNC. When those guys face off, there is a massive chip on the shoulder of the Northern Colorado players. They want to prove the Rams' coaching staff made a mistake by not offering them a full ride.
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You see that energy on the field. It’s why the hitting is harder in this game than it is when CSU plays a random out-of-state opponent.
The Identity Crisis
Colorado State is trying to establish itself as a "big time" program. They have the shiny new stadium. They have the "State Pride" uniforms that everyone loves (the ones with the Colorado flag colors).
Northern Colorado is the scrappy neighbor. They play at Nottingham Field, a smaller, more intimate venue in Greeley. They don't have the $100 million facilities, but they have a fanbase that is fiercely loyal. When they travel to Fort Collins, they show up.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
People think this is a "cupcake" game for the Rams. That’s a dangerous mindset.
In the modern era of college football, the "payday" game where a smaller school gets $400k to come get beat by 50 points is dying. Between the portal and the extra year of eligibility many players still have from the COVID era, these teams are older and more physical than they used to be.
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UNC showed in 2025 that they can match CSU’s physicality for three quarters. The Rams’ depth is usually what wins it in the end, but the "talent gap" isn't the chasm it was in 1986.
Key Players Who Shaped the Rivalry
- Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (CSU): A polarizing figure for some, but he’s got the arm talent that defines the Rams' air-raid aspirations.
- Lloyd Avant (CSU): The workhorse. When the passing game stalled against UNC in '25, he was the reason they survived.
- Cam Chapa (UNC): A ball-hawk safety who made life miserable for the Rams' receivers in their most recent meeting.
- Ezra Ekuban (UNC): If you’re a CSU fan, you probably still have nightmares about him crashing the edge.
Is This a Real Rivalry?
Depends on who you ask.
If you ask a CSU student, they might say, "Our rival is Wyoming or CU."
If you ask a UNC student, they’ll say, "We hate the Rams."
But talk to the old-timers. Talk to the people who remember the 1970s and 80s. They’ll tell you that this game represents the heart of Northern Colorado sports. It’s the "Aggie" roots vs the "Teacher" roots. It's Fort Collins vs Greeley.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on catching the next installment of northern colorado football vs colorado state rams football, here's how to do it right:
- Buy tickets early: Don't assume it won't sell out. Canvas Stadium gets packed for this one because the travel for UNC fans is only 30 minutes.
- Tailgate in the 970: The atmosphere at CSU's tailgates is top-tier. Even if you're wearing blue and gold, the Rams fans are usually pretty chill—until kickoff.
- Watch the trenches: In the last two meetings, UNC’s defensive line has outplayed CSU’s offensive line for long stretches. That’s where the game is won or lost.
- Keep an eye on the schedule: These games aren't played every year. They are scheduled in blocks. Check the future non-conference slates to see when the next "Battle for the North" is happening.
College football is changing. Realignment is messy. But local games like Northern Colorado vs Colorado State are the soul of the sport. They matter to the people who live here, and after the scare the Bears gave the Rams in 2025, nobody is calling this a "tune-up" game anymore.
Check the official athletics sites for both the CSU Rams and the UNC Bears for the most up-to-date roster moves and future game times.