When you haven’t had a winning season in a decade, you can’t take the little things for granted. And so when the Colorado Buffaloes blowout in-state rival Colorado State 44-7 and are named in the “Others Receiving Votes” section of the USA Today Coaches Poll, it’s okay to get a little excited.

It may be the most-insignificant accolade to be excited about, but it’s been 11 years since the Buffaloes appeared on the AP Top 25, and it’s been 15 years since they finished in the AP Top 25. Getting this close — though there’s still a long way to go before they push their way into the Top 25 — feels good.

Now, it is important to note that Mike MacIntyre is one of the 64 voters, so … you make whatever conclusions you want. For Buffs fans, though, it’s a step in the right direction.

(Update) Not long after the Coaches Poll was released, the AP Top 25 Poll followed, and …

Again, it’s a meaningless distinction, but it’s better than nothing, right?