A little over a decade after settling into Pac-12 life, Colorado is on its way out the door.
The Buffaloes are heading back to the Big 12 in 2024, their football home from 1996 to 2010. The move will reduce the Pac-12 to nine teams as USC and UCLA leave for the Big Ten as well.
News of Colorado’s machinations broke shortly before the start of the 2023 season and made the Buffaloes—already a popular target thanks to their hiring of coach Deion Sanders in the offseason—fodder for discussion across the conference.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning, in particular, took dead aim at Colorado on Monday afternoon, questioning what the Buffaloes had contributed in their 12-year stay in the league.
“I’m trying to remember what they won to affect this conference and I don’t remember,” Lanning told reporters when asked about Colorado. “Do you remember them winning anything? I don’t remember them winning anything.”
Full quote from Dan Lanning on his reaction to Colorado leaving the conference:
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) July 31, 2023
"Not a big reaction. I'm trying to remember what they won to affect this conference and I don't remember. Do you remember them winning anything? I don't remember them winning anything." https://t.co/Kdtf9xgayo pic.twitter.com/XETU03B0Cj
Indeed, the once-proud Buffaloes have posted just two winning seasons since joining the conference: a 10–4 surprise in 2016 and a 4–2 ledger during the pandemic campaign in ’20.
Lanning and the Ducks will have one last opportunity to back up their talk, as Oregon—8–1 against Colorado since 2011—will host the Buffaloes on Sept. 23.
