My phone didn’t flip yet, let alone play YouTube videos, and the only game on it (there was no “app store”) was a black and white version of snake. CDs were still spinning Destiny’s Child, while Napster downloads of Dido were just starting to “Thank You.” It was 98 Degrees everywhere, and all the while Shaggy was busy saying “It wasn’t me.”

The year in question, 2001.

Why do I bring up a year filled with boy bands, Lucky Brand jeans, Dr. Martens and Abercrombie & Fitch frayed hats? Because 2001 was the last time the Colorado Buffaloes finished in the top 10, and they can do it again in 2016.

The College Football Playoff committee (or whatever they want to be called today) has certainly made some controversial moves of late, and among them is placing the Colorado Buffaloes at No. 10. Buffs haters (a phrase that wasn’t around in 2001) say that the Colorado Buffaloes haven’t beaten anyone ranked in the Top 25, that teams ranked lower than Colorado (like Utah) are much more deserving, having faced a tougher road.

Buffs apologists say that CU had a tough road, facing teams that are having unusually down years but still have solid programs with five-star talent. Such wins as at Stanford, at Oregon and home against UCLA. Colorado fans and supporters also have a couple of those “good losses” in their pocket, giving Michigan everything they could handle and more at the Big House, and a game at USC which could have gone either way.

In 2001, Colorado had a similar path to earn their way to a big-time bowl. The last two games in 2001 were against solid opponents in the Big 12. First was an impressive 40-27 win at Iowa State. Yes, I know Iowa State sucks at football now, but in 2001 the mighty Cyclones finished 7-5 and lost to Alabama by one in the Independence Bowl.

Colorado then had to play No. 2-ranked Nebraska. For all the CU Buffs fans out there, you remember this game a little too well. T-shirts and pennants have been printed and movies made about the 62-36 home win against the hated Huskers. CU did the impossible and ruined Frank Solich‘s perfect season. (I cant remember, where did Eric Crouch end up playing in the NFL? I hope wherever he is, whatever he is doing, he finds safety.)

Colorado, in 2001, had one more task before getting to that Fiesta Bowl. They had the conference championship game against Texas. In 2001, Texas had already handed it to the Buffaloes, 41-7 in Texas. Now the Buffs had to face (then-ranked No. 3) Texas again in the championship game. In a meaty matchup for the ages, Ralphie went on to butcher Bevo’s dreams 39-37. CU got their Fiesta Bowl.

I don’t know if the 2016 Colorado Buffaloes deserve to be ranked No. 10, but I do know this: It doesn’t matter!

There’s a lot of football still to be played, and the Buffs have a chance to prove it and improve it. CU still has to face Washington State, a high-flying team who is also on the rise, and Utah, the team that has all the parts and pieces to be great without the part and piece you have to have – a quarterback.

CU can win these games, and they can win a conference championship. And with no Joey Harrington in sight, they might just win that big bowl game as well.

In Boulder, The Rise was great. Now it’s time to recognize the Buffs for real.