The longest Colorado and Colorado State went without facing off on the football field was 25 years.

After Saturday’s 93rd edition of the rivalry, the five years until the next Rocky Mountain Showdown might feel like 25.

As columnist Mark Kiszla wisely wrote in Friday’s Denver Gazette, the odds that either Deion Sanders or Jay Norvell are still coaching their current teams the next time the Buffaloes and Rams meet in 2029 are less than zero.

Unless a current true freshman sticks winds up as a sixth-year senior, none of the players on either roster will be around for the next meeting, either.

Let’s tell it like it is: it’s the end of an era.

Even if it’s just a two-year run in the rivalry for both of these coaches, their teams will be eager to get the last laugh.

Here are five storylines to watch:

How do the emotions affect the first quarter?

It’s only natural, but all 200-plus players on both sidelines will be about as fired up as they’ve ever been for a football game when they take the field Saturday night. After last year’s game featured a combined 27 penalties for 269 yards, multiple ejections and a couple of key injuries, the team that keeps its composure this time around will likely be the one leading after 15 minutes.

Will the team who gets the first stop on defense win the game?

Expect points in this one. Both teams showed leaky secondaries in the first two weeks, and both were susceptible to big plays through the air. That’s music to the ears of both offenses. Whichever defense is able to get the first stop of the game might provide their offense with enough momentum to carry the entire team to the win.

Can either offensive line protect the quarterback?

CU’s offensive line struggles are well-documented after last week’s loss to Nebraska. Offensive line play is always a concern for the Rams when they go up against bigger, stronger opponents. Both QBs — Shedeur Sanders and Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi — showed they’re capable of rising to the moment in last year’s game and whichever gets the most time to stand in the pocket and fire the ball downfield might just win the game.

How aggressive does Jay Norvell get?

If there’s one call Norvell probably wants back from last year’s game, it’s probably the decision to punt the ball away with a little over two minutes to go. He couldn’t have asked for much more as Paddy Turner’s kick was downed at the 2-yard line with 2:06 to play, but we all saw the Buffs go down the field in 1:30 for the game-tying touchdown drive. If the CSU offense gambles and picks up the first down in that spot, the trophy is in Fort Collins right now. Keep that in mind as Norvell debates similar decisions this year.

Will someone make a big play on special teams?

CU’s Jimmy Horn Jr. nearly broke free for a kickoff return touchdown last week. CSU’s Tory Horton went untouched on a 78-yard punt return score. Both teams have speedsters capable of turning a game on its head on special teams. If either side gets a big play in the return game, it could be the momentum swing they need.

Players to watch

Colorado: WR LaJohntay Wester, DL Chidozie Nwankwo

Wester figures to be a lot for the CSU secondary to handle and he could be in for a big night thanks to his chemistry with Shedeur Sanders. On defense, Nwankwo has made a big impact already as the Buffs’ go-to run stopper. He’ll be needed against a Rams offense that has had a solid start to the season on the ground.

Colorado State: TE Vince Brown II, S Henry Blackburn

CSU tight end Dallin Holker was one of the big stars of last year’s Showdown. His replacement, Brown, could be a big weapon for Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi in the passing game. On the flip side, Blackburn is bound to hear it from the Buffs players after his hit on Travis Hunter knocked the two-way star out of last year’s game. But the Boulder native always seems to make big plays in big games, like last year when he had an interception against CU.