Should Colorado State Move Their Flex Game to Denver?

In a college football slate full of neutral-site games, there may be another one on the docket this year. Yesterday, James Crepea of The Oregonian reported that Washington State was exploring moving its Thanksgiving weekend “flex” game from Pullman to Seattle.

The move comes as a surprise, but is hardly unprecedented. Michigan State has moved two of its last three home finales from East Lansing to Detroit’s Ford Field. Thanksgiving Weekend creates attendance challenges for schools lacking established rivalries. Washington State has found this out after the Apple Cup moved to September.

The Cougars’ Thanksgiving weekend finale against Wyoming drew 17,088 in 2024 and Oregon State drew 24,806 the following year.

Washington State is currently slated to host Oregon State for the PAC-12’s flex week, although that is subject to change. While the Cougars have a lengthy history with the Beavers, the series lacks the importance that the Apple Cup had to Washington State fans. Consequently, the Cougars do not have much to lose in sending home finale to Seattle.

Washington State’s situation could also apply to one of its conference mates.

Colorado State has similarly had attendance issues on Thanksgiving weekend. The Rams’ Thanksgiving weekend home games are consistently their least-attended games of the year. Low points over the last decade include 17,465 fans showing up to see the Rams play Nevada in 2021 and 12,324 fans attending the Rams’ season finale against Boise State in 2019. Canvas Stadium was two-thirds empty to see the 20th-ranked Broncos and their 10-1 record come to town.

This year, the Rams tentatively host Texas State for their “flex” game. Colorado State has never played the Bobcats and the program lacks the appeal to convince students to stay on campus for Thanksgiving. Hence, a move similar to the one Washington State is considering seems logical.

Moving Colorado State’s “flex” game is mutually beneficial. Denver was rumored to be pursuing a bowl game, before talks fizzled. A Colorado State game is a valid consolation that comes without the headaches of a postseason bowl.

Furthermore, a Colorado State return to Denver is long overdue. The Rocky Mountain Showdown with Colorado once gave the Rams a yearly game at Denver’s Empower Field. The two schools’ have not met in Denver since 2019 and the series does not seem poised to return to the home of the Broncos.

Moving the Rams’ flex game partially makes up for this absence. It also prevents Colorado State’s alumni base in Denver from taking a perilous drive to Fort Collins in the case of snowy weather.

Moving Colorado State’s home finale to Denver will not completely solve its Thanksgiving weekend attendance issues. However, it is a creative approach that adds interest to a game that was a tough sell for the fanbase.