CU Notes: Buffs No. 27 In All-Time AP Poll, More Honors For Awuzie, Recruiting Kudos

BOULDER — Want to know where Colorado ranks in the all-time pantheon of college football?

Obviously, such things are up for debate, but the Associated Press has come up with an all-time ranking of the top 100 programs in college football history.

If you think the Buffs are in the upper echelon, you are correct. According to the AP's formula, the Buffs checked in at No. 27 on the all-time list (ironically, just a few points behind No. 26 Georgia Tech, the team that prevented Colorado from sweeping the national championship ratings in 1990).

The formula used by the AP, which has been ranking teams since 1936, was actually quite simple. The formula counted total poll appearances, worth one point each, to establish consistency. No. 1 rankings were awarded two points in order to "acknowledge elite programs" and an AP national championship was worth 10 points.

Other regional schools in the ranking included Air Force at No. 67, Wyoming at No. 71 and Colorado State in a tie for No. 77.

In the 80 years that AP has conducted its poll — a total of 1,103 polls — 165 different schools have been ranked at least once, and 44 schools have been ranked No. 1 at one point.

The Buffs have been ranked No. 1 in the nation in seven polls — all in the 1989 and '90 seasons — including the final 1990 poll.

AWUZIE HONORS CONTINUE: ESPN has compiled a list of the top 25 players in the Pac-12, and to no one's surprise, Colorado defensive back Chidobe Awuzie has made the list.

Awuzie, a senior, is No. 21 in the rankings. "While Awuzie might be underappreciated nationally, coaches in the Pac-12 know what he's all about, which is why they named him to the second-team all-conference squad for 2015," writes ESPN's Kevin Gemmell. "How important is he to the Buffaloes? Between corner and nickel, he was on the field for 897 snaps and posted 90 tackles (78 solo). The Colorado coaches are also creative with the way they use him. He led the team with 13 tackles for a loss and also posted four sacks to go with a pair of interceptions."

Awuzie is on the national watch lists for three major awards thus far: the Thorpe, Nagurski and Bednarik.

RECRUITING KUDOS: What is already proving to be a very successful summer recruiting season for Mike MacIntyre's CU staff is gaining some national attention. The Buffs have climbed into the top 25 of some of the national recruiting rankings, and ESPN recently called the Buffs' efforts one of the summer's "five big recruiting surprises."

"The Buffaloes have quietly built a solid class in 2017," writes ESPN's Gerry Hamilton. "The Buffaloes' class now has three ESPN 300 verbals, which is very positive progress for the program."

FALL CAMP SCHEDULE: The Buffs have released their fall camp practice schedule, which will include the NCAA-allowed 29 practices before the Sept. 2 season opener vs. Colorado State in Denver (6 p.m., ESPN).

The schedule includes four two-a-day sessions, and three practices that will be open to the media and public: Aug. 5, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13. CU players are scheduled to report Wednesday with the first practice scheduled for Thursday. The Buffs' day off will be Sunday each week.

All fall camp practices will take part on the lower practice fields (weather permitting) until CSU game week in order to allow the new grass on Franklin Field to complete growth.

The first Pearl Street Stampede, meanwhile, is set for Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu