Ahead of the Rocky Mountain Showdown, CSU QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi threw shade at Shedeur Sanders and Colorado saying, “We’ll see how far Instagram followers gets them.” Almost like a replay of Dan Lanning’s “playing for clicks” jab last season during Colorado vs Oregon. Only this time, the Buffs had the last laugh. 

Colorado defeated CSU in a dominant fashion as the Rams fell 28-7. After the game, Shedeur was seen shaking the hands of CSU’s coach and players. But he refused to shake hands with the Rams QB who talked behind their backs saying, “You were talking s— on Instagram… You can’t f— with me.” Many questioned Shedeur’s maturity and saw it as a warning sign for his future NFL career. But the Buffs fans are there to back up their star QB. 

A Buffs fan on X wrote on September 16 after Shedeur got the wrong attention for the handshake snub. The post criticized some people who can’t even have a proper interaction with the opposing political party and “yet you’re crying because Shedeur Sanders needs to be the bigger man and let BFN [Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi] off the hook for talking recklessly.” 

His action received more backup as Shedeur Sanders was seen engaging with other CSU players who didn’t start the tension. Backing his engagement with the Rams, another fan wrote, “Don’t see the big deal behind refusing to shake hands with an INDIVIDUAL who talked out the side of his neck.” Perhaps, Shedeur gave Fowler-Nicolosi a taste of his own medicine?

Shedeur Sanders and Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi intensify Colorado-CSU rivalry 

The intrastate rivalry between Colorado and Colorado State began in 1893 with the Buffs leading 69-22-2 in the 93 games they played. Last season, the rivalry was taken to new heights when Rams coach Jay Norvell took a dig at Deion Sanders ahead of their game which ultimately ended in a double OT in Colorado’s favor. This season, Fowler-Nicolosi took the reins of the smug attitude. 

In last week’s interview, Fowler-Nicolosi said, “They came out with that attitude and thought it was gonna be a cakewalk… it only gets you so far at the end of the day… We’ll see how far Instagram followers gets them.” It’s not only this speech but also his gesture to Travis Hunter that intensified the animosity. So this takes us back to Shedeur’s actions. What would you have done in his place? Back down and reconcile with the one who was talking behind your back? Or leave him hanging as a payback like the Buffs QB did?