CSU gave the Mountain West Conference The Boot. But its annual football rivalry game with Wyoming is back on its feet.
The athletic directors for the Rams and Cowboys announced a contract to renew the longstanding rivalry series Thursday.
CSU and Wyoming are slated to play eight straight times from 2028 to 2035, with the Rams hosting during even years (’28, ’30, ’32, ’34) and the Cowboys hosting in the odd ones (’29, ’31, ’33, ’35).
The series will take a two-year hiatus in 2026 and 2027 because of CSU’s transition from the Mountain West to the Pac-12.
The Rams (6-3, 4-0 MW), who have already clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since 2017, host Wyoming (2-7, 2-3 MW) on Friday evening in a Border War game televised nationally by CBS Sports Network.
CSU leads the overall football series but the Pokes have won seven of the last eight meetings.
Since 1968, the Border War winner has been awarded the Bronze Boot, a boot worn by Colorado State ROTC professor Captain Dan J. Romero during his service in the Vietnam War. Members of the ROTC detachments at CSU and Wyoming annually run along Highway 287 to meet at the state border in order to exchange the game ball.
“The Boot Run with the game ball, the Border Ceremony, and the Bronze Boot Trophy all honor the values and rich ROTC history of both of our universities and will remain integral to this rivalry for years to come,” CSU AD John Weber said in a statement released by the school. “This game is important to our universities, communities, and fans; and I am thrilled that this historic rivalry will continue.”
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