Colorado’s first season in its return to the Big 12 Conference will start and end with renewing some old rivalries.
The Big 12 announced matchups for the 2024 football season in November and on Tuesday, announced the dates of those matchups.
CU (4-8, 1-8 Pac-12 last year), which is leaving the Pac-12 for the Big 12 this summer, will kick off the conference portion of the schedule on Sept. 21 when Baylor pays a visit to Folsom Field. The Buffaloes and Bears were Big 12 rivals from 1996-2010.
The regular season schedule will conclude on Black Friday, Nov. 29, when Oklahoma State visits Boulder. It’s the only Friday game on the slate. CU and OSU were conferences foes from 1960-2010 in the Big Eight and Big 12.
With an early Labor Day (Sept. 2) this year, there are 14 weeks during the regular season, which means the Buffs and other teams will have two bye weeks. CU’s bye weeks are Oct. 5 and Nov. 2.
Last July, CU made the decision to return to the Big 12 after playing in the Pac-12 from 2011-2023. CU was a member of the Big Seven/Big Eight/Big 12 from 1948-2010.
A detailed look at the Buffs’ 2024 schedule (kickoff times and TV assignments will be announced at a later date; * – Big 12 games ):
Aug. 31 vs. North Dakota State (11-4 in 2023), at Folsom Field in Boulder: It’ll be the first-ever battle of the Buffaloes and Bison. NDSU is a traditional power at the FCS level, reaching the semifinals this past year. From 2011-21, NDSU won eight national titles.
Sept. 7 at Nebraska (5-7, 3-6 Big Ten), at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.: The conference rivals will meet for the fourth time since 2018. CU is 3-0 so far, including a 36-14 victory in Boulder on Sept. 9. The Cornhuskers lead the series 49-21-2, including 26-9 in Lincoln.
AP Photo
Colorado wide receiver Jeremy Bloom (15) leaves Kansas State defensive end Blake Seiler (34) behind as he returns a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Sept. 14 at Colorado State (5-7, 3-5 Mountain West), at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins: CU will travel to the Rams’ campus for the first time since 1996 and this will be the last matchup until 2029. CU leads the series 68-22-2, including a 43-35 overtime victory in Boulder on Sept. 16. The Buffs have won the last six meetings.
Sept. 21 vs. Baylor* (3-9, 2-7 Big 12), at Folsom Field: In the conference opener, the Buffs and Bears will square off for the first time since 2010. CU leads the series 9-7, including 5-4 in Boulder. The Bears won in their last two trips to Boulder (2006, 2010).
Sept. 28 at Central Florida* (6-7, 3-6 Big 12), at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla.: CU’s first-ever meeting with the Knights will be the program’s first game in Florida since 2008. This will also be CU’s first game of the year against a 2023 bowl team. UCF has played in bowls the last eight seasons.
Oct. 12 vs. Kansas State* (9-4, 6-3 Big 12; No. 19 Associated Press poll), at Folsom Field (Homecoming): The long-time conference rivals (from 1948-2010) will meet for the first time since Nov. 20, 2010, in Boulder. CU leads the series 45-20-1, including 28-5 in Boulder.
Oct. 19 at Arizona* (10-3, 7-2 Pac-12; No. 11), at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.: Like CU, Arizona is making the move from the Pac-12, so they’ll continue their rivalry. CU leads the series 16-9, including 9-4 in Tucson. Arizona has won the last two meetings, including 34-31 in Boulder on Nov. 11.
Oct. 26 vs. Cincinnati* (3-9, 1-8 Big 12), at Folsom Field (Family weekend): The Bearcats were a newcomer to the Big 12 this past season, finishing last in the conference. Cincy had played in five consecutive bowls before this past year. The teams have met just once, a 56-14 Buffs win in Boulder on Sept. 16, 1972.
Cliff Grassmick / Staff Photographer
Colorado’s Phillip Lindsay gains ground against Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29, 2016, in San Antonio.
Nov. 9 at Texas Tech* (7-6, 5-4 Big 12), at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas: CU and the Red Raiders were Big 12 foes from 1996-2010, but didn’t face each other every year. The series is tied 5-5, but CU is 1-4 in Lubbock. Tech has played in three consecutive bowls.
Nov. 16 vs. Utah* (8-5, 5-4 Pac-12), at Folsom Field: The Utes are also making the move from the Pac-12. This will be the fourth different conference that CU and Utah have been a part of together. Utah leads the series 34-32-3, with CU leading 16-14-1 in Boulder. Utah has won the last six meetings.
Nov. 23 at Kansas* (9-4, 5-4 Big 12; No. 23), at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan.: Another old rivalry renewed, CU and KU were conference foes from 1948-2010. They’ll meet up for the first time since Nov. 6, 2010, in Lawrence. CU leads the series 42-25-3, including 17-16-3 in Lawrence.
Nov. 29 vs. Oklahoma State* (10-4, 7-2 Big 12; No. 16), at Folsom Field: They haven’t been in the same conference since 2010, but did meet up in the 2016 Alamo Bowl. Overall, CU leads the series 26-20-1, including 13-8 in Boulder. The Cowboys have played in bowls the last 18 years, the sixth-longest active streak in the country.
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