You probably remember the old Big Eight days. The dirt, the grass stains, and that specific brand of flyover-country hatred that fueled Saturday afternoons. For a long time, the Oklahoma State Cowboys football vs Colorado Buffaloes football matchup was a staple of that era. Then, the conferences shifted, the Buffaloes headed for the West Coast, and everyone sort of forgot that these two teams used to beat the living daylights out of each other annually.
Well, 2024 changed that.
The Buffaloes didn't just return to the Big 12; they came back with a megaphone and a spotlight. When they met the Cowboys in late November 2024, it wasn't just a football game. It was a demolition. People like to talk about "classic rivalries," but honestly, the most recent chapter was a one-sided nightmare for anyone wearing orange.
Why the Oklahoma State Cowboys football vs Colorado Buffaloes football History Matters Again
Before we get into the 52-0 massacre that happened in Boulder recently, you've gotta look at the history to understand why the 2024 season felt so weird. Colorado leads the all-time series with a 27-20-1 record. For those keeping score at home, that's a lot of games played since their first meeting way back in 1920.
They were "conference brothers" for decades. In the Big Eight, this was a game that often decided who was the "best of the rest" behind Oklahoma and Nebraska. But when Colorado dipped for the Pac-12 in 2011, the fire died out. Sure, they played in the 2016 Alamo Bowl (where OSU actually crushed them 38-8), but the regular-season vitriol was gone.
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Then Deion Sanders happened.
When the Buffaloes rejoined the Big 12 in 2024, this matchup was circled on the calendar. People expected a clash of cultures: Mike Gundy’s "Cowboy Culture" stability versus the "Prime Effect" glitz of Colorado. Instead, they got a total system failure from the Pokes.
The 2024 Boulder Blowout: A Tale of Two Programs
It’s rare to see an Oklahoma State team look so completely lost. On November 29, 2024, Folsom Field was about 33 degrees, but the Buffaloes were red hot. They hung 52 points on the Cowboys. Zero for OSU. Not a field goal, not a safety. Nothing.
- Shedeur Sanders was surgical. He threw for 438 yards and 5 touchdowns.
- Travis Hunter basically secured his Heisman Trophy in this specific game, hauling in three touchdowns and grabbing an interception on defense.
- The Yardage Gap: Colorado outgained OSU 471 to 147.
Basically, the Cowboys’ offense, led by Maealiuaki Smith in that game, couldn't move the chains. They had 10 first downs. Colorado had 26. It was the kind of game that makes a fanbase question everything they thought they knew about their program's trajectory.
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Misconceptions About the Modern Rivalry
Most people think Oklahoma State is the "stable" program while Colorado is the "experimental" one. That's the common narrative. But if you actually watched the 2024 season, the roles flipped. Colorado looked like the disciplined, high-execution machine, while Oklahoma State finished the season 3-9 and 0-9 in conference play.
You read that right. 0-9.
People also assume that because Mike Gundy has been in Stillwater for twenty years, the Cowboys will always be a top-tier Big 12 contender. But the 2024 Oklahoma State Cowboys football vs Colorado Buffaloes football game exposed some deep cracks. The Cowboys actually sacked Shedeur Sanders six times in that game—which usually means you're winning—but they were so bad in every other phase that it didn't even matter.
What Really Happened with the Cowboy Offense?
Ollie Gordon II was supposed to be the best back in the country. Against Colorado, he had 4 carries for 10 yards. That’s not a typo. The Buffaloes' defense, often criticized for being "soft" earlier in the Prime era, completely neutralized one of the most decorated players in OSU history.
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It wasn't just about talent; it was about energy. Colorado played like they had something to prove to their new (old) conference. OSU played like they were ready for the season to end.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Season and Beyond
If you're betting on or following these teams as we head deeper into 2026, there are a few things you need to watch. The power dynamic in the Big 12 has shifted, and the "old guard" is under fire.
- Monitor the Portal closely. After that 52-0 loss, Oklahoma State entered the most pivotal offseason of the Gundy era. Watch for a total overhaul of the offensive line and defensive secondary.
- Don't bet against the "Prime" hype. Many analysts thought the Colorado experiment would flame out. The 2024 season proved that with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter (even as they move toward the NFL), the culture has changed in Boulder.
- Home field is huge. Folsom Field has become one of the toughest places to play in the country again. The altitude is one thing, but the atmosphere under Coach Prime is genuinely hostile for visitors.
- Look for the "Identity Crisis" resolution. Oklahoma State has to decide if they are still a "ground and pound" team. If they can't block the front four of a team like Colorado, that identity is dead.
The next time these two meet, don't expect the lopsided 52-0 scoreline, but do expect the tension to be higher. The "Forgotten Border War" isn't forgotten anymore. It's a barometer for who actually runs the new-look Big 12.
Keep an eye on the recruiting rankings for both schools this spring. Colorado is hunting for "blue-chip" talent to replace their departing stars, while Oklahoma State is desperately trying to find the "Cowboy Way" again after a winless conference run. The gap between these two programs has never felt wider than it does right now.