The Colorado-Colorado State rivalry is now affecting the mascots (PHOTO)

Colorado and Colorado State play in the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown this afternoon and even though both teams are coming off terrible seasons, it hasn't lessened the vitriol of this rivalry.

Take this photo, which has been circling the Internet today. The Rams are from Colorado State and poor Ralphie the Buffalo found himself in an awkward position in the middle of the road.

[Related: Pat Forde: Lane Kiffin is college football's most interesting man — and one of its most loathed]

Colorado State should get its shots in now, because it might not have many braggin' rights once the game begins. After all, the Rams have won just one of the past five meetings. And let's be honest, there's not a lot of optimism for either one of these teams to have a breakout season.

Let's just hope no real animals were injured in the making of this photo.

H/T to @Jyz77 and H/T to SBNation

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