Colorado Power Rankings: Colorado Rockies Win Postseason Awards

The Colorado Power Rankings didn't witness any major shakeups this week. The back end of the rankings are still well represented by the football teams, while the Colorado Rockies move up due to the power of postseason awards. This past week has been filled with coaching changes, injuries and a very bad (or good, depending on the team) quarter of basketball.

8. Colorado Buffaloes

Last Week's CPR: 7
Fan Confidence Score: 47

After that absolutely brutal fourth-quarter disaster to the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, fans were likely to put their confidence vote all the way down to 10 (the system doesn't allow for zero confidence). But surprise, surprise (or really no surprise at all), head coach Dan Hawkins was fired late Monday evening. Nothing like firing a coach who stuck around for too long to give the fan base some hope.

With Brian Cabral the interim coach, can the Buffaloes defeat Iowa State for their first conference win?

7. Denver Broncos

Last Week's CPR: 8
Fan Confidence Score: 43

After a much needed bye week, the Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs to start the second half of the season. Will they be able to avoid costly mistakes and penalties, shut down the Chiefs' running game and win the first of five games against AFC West opponents? That seems to be a tall order, but this team needs to come out fired up.

6. Colorado State Rams

Last Week's CPR: 6

The San Diego State Aztecs are team just outside the Top 25 so it is no surprise that the Colorado State Rams lost to them last week. The Rams will try for another win this weekend against the BYU Cougars, who seek bowl eligibility.

5. Air Force Falcons

Last Week's CPR: 5

Hail to the Commander-In-Chief Trophy, which the Air Force Falcons recaptured in a 42-22 victory over Army last week. The Falcons also became eligible for a bowl game, which could send them to the Independence Bowl. Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun could be a hot commodity during the coaching carousel this offseason.

4. Colorado Avalanche

Last Week's CPR: 3
Fan Confidence Score: 77

Goalie Craig Anderson has yet to practice with the team, though he has skated; T.J. Galiardi is out with broken wrist; and David Van Der Gulik is out with a torn MCL. Oh, don't forget that Kyle Quincey is out with a concussion.  Adam Foote is also close to recovering from a concussion as well.

Despite all the injuries this team has suffered, the Avalanche have endured. The team has split their two games since their 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks to open November. Peter Budaj had an outstanding shutout of the Dallas Stars and the offense tallied five goals in the game. However, they then lost to the Calgary Flames, 4-2, on Tuesday night (when Galiardi and Van Der Gulik went down). The Avalanche play Columbus and Detroit on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

3. Colorado Rockies

Last Week's CPR: 4
Fan Confidence Score: 76

Free agency has started and the Rockies are already reported to be interested in several pitchers available on the market. But the real news of the week is that Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez have both won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award this week. Now that's national recognition for the team out in the Rockies. While neither figures to win the National League MVP, both will appear prominently in the voting.

2. Denver Nuggets

Last Week's CPR: 2
Fan Confidence Score: 71

The Nuggets are 3-2 over their last five games, with wins over the Los Angeles Clippers, the Dallas Maverick and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets defeated the latter team on Thursday night to give them their first loss of the season. But there were also loss to the Chicago Bulls and the Indian Pacers. That game against the Pacers had a particularly bad third quarter for the Nuggets when the Pacers went 20-of-21 in field goals. The Nuggets lost that game by 31 points.

Overall, the Nuggets are 5-4 and fourth in the Northwest division.

1. Colorado Rapids

Last Week's CPR: 1
Fan Confidence Score: 88

The Rapids play the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday for the right to play for the MLS Cup. Go Rapids!