Back home again: CU Buffs football returns to Big 12

When the Big Eight first evolved into the Big 12, conference realignment remained a novelty. Four Texas refugees from the old Southwest Conference — Baylor, Texas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M — joined the long-established Big Eight.

Amid the latest round of conference shuffling that sent West Coast teams to such previously inconceivable homes like the Big Ten and ACC, realignment simply is part of the game. The latest realignment round unfolded last week, when Colorado State, Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State announced their intention to help the Pac-12 rise from the ashes in 2026.

Of all the schools that shifted leagues the past two years, Colorado is the only one to return to its former conference home, as the Buffaloes officially resumed Big 12 play in football on Saturday with a homecoming date against Baylor.

Outside the Bill McCartney glory years of the late 1980s and 1990s, the Buffs' original Big 12 era — from 1996 through 2010 — features a few of the most memorable campaigns in program history. During that 15-year span the Buffs posted a 60-60 record in conference games, but that even-keeled mark hardly tells the whole story, as CU enjoyed mammoth highs like four Big 12 North Division championships in five years in addition to the lows of the post-Gary Barnett era that set the stage for nearly two decades of struggles.

As the Buffs begin writing a new chapter to their Big 12 story, BuffZone takes a look back at CU's top games and players from the original 15-season Big 12 era.

Top 10 Big 12 games (1996-2010; Big 12 games only)

2. No. 14 CU Buffs 62, No. 2 Nebraska 36 (Nov. 23, 2001, Folsom Field): The bigger win arrived a week later in the Big 12 title game, but this one might be the more memorable. The Buffs clinched the North title by rolling over the Cornhuskers for 380 rushing yards. Brown (198) and Bobby Purify (154) both rushed for over 150 yards – with Brown scoring a CU-record six touchdowns — and quarterback Bobby Pesavento's nine completions were good for 202 yar ds.

Top 12 CU players of first Big 12 era

RB Chris Brown: Brown finished his career with 2,690 rushing yards (fourth on the career list at the time, seventh now) and 34 rushing touchdowns, which tied for second when he graduated and is tied for third now. He was the Big 12 offensive player of the year in 2002.

K Mason Crosby: No CU player has ever made more field goals (66) or scored more points (307) than Crosby, who went one to become one of the NFL's top kickers with Green Bay.

LB Jordon Dizon: The Big 12 defensive player of the year in 2007, Dizon also finished second in the voting for the Butkus Award.

TE Daniel Graham: An All-American and the winner of the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in 2001.

OL Andre Gurode: One of only two CU offensive linemen to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors twice (along with Nate Solder), he was an All-American in 2001 and was a five-time Pro Bowler during a 12-year NFL career.

S Michael Lewis: The leading tackler on CU's 2001 Big 12 title team, Lewis also finished his career with nine interceptions.

P Mark Mariscal: In 2002, he became CU's only winner of the Ray Guy Award, awarded to the top punter in the nation.

WR Scotty McKnight: Finished his CU career as the Buffs all-time leader in receptions (215, now second behind Nelson Spruce) and touchdown catches (22, now second behind Spruce) while ranking third in receiving yards (2,521, now fifth).

RB Bobby Purify: Finished his CU career as the third running back in program history to top 3,000 rushing yards (3,016).

LB Matt Russell: Played just one season in the Big 12, but Russell landed the 1996 Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.

RB Rodney Stewart: Joined Purify in that 3,000-yard club, finishing his career with 3,598 rushing yards, which ranks third in program history.

OL Nate Solder: Cleared the way for Stewart was one of the top linemen in CU history, Solder was a first-round selection of New England in 2011 and won a pair of Super Bowls with the Patriots.

Rivalries renewed

CU's track records against the teams still in the Big 12 from when the Buffs left the league following the 2010 season.

Baylor: CU leads the all-time series 9-7 (going into Saturday); CU led 4-3 in the previous Big 12 era.

Iowa State: CU leads the all-time series 49-15-1; CU led 11-4 in the previous Big 12 era.

Kansas: CU leads the all-time series 42-25-3; CU led 9-6 in the previous Big 12 era.

Kansas State: CU leads the all-time series 45-20-1; Kansas State led 8-7 in the previous Big 12 era.

Oklahoma State: CU leads the all-time series 26-20-1; The teams tied 4-4 in the previous Big 12 era.

Texas Tech: All-time series tied 5-5; CU led 4-3 during the previous Big 12 era.