Let’s cut to the chase.
If Colorado wants to play with the big boys in 2030, it better start acting like one now.
Because five years from now, when the Big Ten and SEC reshuffle the deck again — and they will — CU either needs to be on that short list, or risk being left in the same second-tier bucket it just clawed its way out of.
This is it. This is the window. And it won’t stay open forever.
Why it matters now — not later
In the 2025-26 cycle, the Big Ten is expected to send out $80 million checks to each of its schools.