Colorado Buffaloes reveal exciting Ralphie update ahead of Wyoming

There’s nothing worse than not having the sight of Ralphie thundering across Folsom Field. She reminds us why Colorado football is so special. On Saturday night, fans will finally get that spine-tingling moment all over again when Ralphie VII will make her debut against Wyoming.

It's perfect timing. Family Weekend, with a sellout crowd and an 8:15 p.m. kickoff under the lights, just feels like tradition and pride.

This is exciting news, as we've all been waiting for an update about Ralphie. However, the elephant in the room is Colorado’s offense, and whether Pat Shurmur can deliver anything that doesn’t feel like recycled leftovers.

“They don’t alter their offense”

In back-to-back weeks, opposing head coaches have basically told us what we've been yelling at our TVs this season.

Houston's Willie Fritz: “You look at the plays that were called, I think it’s similar.”

Wyoming's Jay Sawvel: “I don’t know that they alter their offense dramatically.”

Shurmur’s playbook looks the same no matter who’s under center. No matter Ryan Staub or Kaidon Salter, defenses seem to know what’s coming.

That’s not exactly music to our ears when CU’s offense has sputtered in key moments since Shurmur has been in Boulder. We lived through his vanilla play-calling in Denver, and unfortunately, the script feels all too familiar at Folsom

Why this game matters more than it should

Wyoming isn’t supposed to be a “prove-it” game, but here we are. The Cowboys come in with toughness and a defense that’s more than capable of dragging Colorado into the mud if the Buffs keep running that same bubble screen that loses yardage.

Against Wyoming, Colorado needs to show life on offense. Because if Colorado can’t break tendencies against Wyoming, how are we supposed to believe they’ll hang in the Big 12?

Coach Prime brings energy and belief, but most of us are starting to wonder if his loyalty to Shurmur is going to drag this team down when it matters most.

Ralphie VII brings the spark

The silver lining, however, is that Saturday also feels like a reset button.

Ralphie VII, a 1-year-old, 700-pound American bison, will storm onto the field for the very first time. She comes from a CU alumni family ranch and represents the continuation of the most iconic tradition in all of college football.

“She’s more than a mascot. She’s a symbol of strength and unyielding spirit. And now, she leads us into the future. The tradition continues. So run, Ralphie, run," said former linebacker Chad Brown

Maybe that’s the energy this team needs. A reminder that Colorado football is about pride and grit.

Basketball Around the Corner

And while football takes center stage this weekend, it’s worth noting that Tad Boyle’s Buffs tip off their season in just a couple of months. Expectations are high after last year’s tournament run, and CU hoops could provide some much-needed balance to the emotional rollercoaster that is football Saturdays.

But make no mistake—right now, it’s all about Wyoming, Ralphie, and whether Pat Shurmur can finally do something that gives Kaidon Salter some confidence.

Prediction

If Colorado’s offense keeps playing on repeat, this could get uncomfortably close. One fan on our page said this morning, "this might not even be an upset."

Look, I hear ya, but with Ralphie’s debut and a packed white-out, I’ll bet on the Buffs finding just enough. I predict a big game from guys like Simeon Price and Joseph Williams.

Colorado 31, Wyoming 21.

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