Nelly was wearing a Band-Aid on his cheek the last time Colorado football was ranked this high

Before Colorado takes on Utah, we want to let you savor the moment by looking back at some of the things happening in America the last time Colorado earned a single-digit ranking in the AP poll.
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CU Buffaloes vs Oregon State Beavers. Oct 1, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) cu; university of colorado; boulder; football; sports; kevinjbeaty; denverite; colorado;

The Colorado Buffaloes haven't been ranked this high in the AP poll since 2002. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The Colorado football team is rolling. Following their latest win over Washington State, the Buffaloes (9-2, 7-1) moved up to No. 9 in the AP poll.

It's Colorado's highest ranking since it was rated seventh in the 2002 AP preseason poll. FiveThirtyEight is giving the Buffaloes a 16 percent chance of qualifying for the College Football Playoff. If Colorado beats Utah on Saturday, the school will win its first Pac-12 South division title and play in the Pac-12 championship game.

Before Colorado takes on Utah, we want to let you savor the moment by looking back at some of the things happening in America the last time Colorado earned a single-digit ranking in the AP poll. Hop in the time machine with me and let's go back to 2002.

  • Nelly was making bangers. He dropped his second studio album "Nellyville" in June 2002, which included hits like "Dillema," "Air Force Ones" and, of course, "Hot in Herre."

You're lying if you can't admit a little part of you wanted to hit the club wearing a headband and Band-Aid on your cheek after seeing that video for the first time.

  • Kmart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, becoming the largest retailer in the U.S. to ever do so. 
  • Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl. He led a late drive that set up Adam Vinateri's game-winning 48-yard field goal. The Patriots beat the Rams 20-17.
  • Kelly Clarkson won the first season of "American Idol." She beat out Justin Guarini. The two went on to make a movie together in 2003 titled "From Justin to Kelly." "A notorious stinker, From Justin To Kelly features banal songs, a witless plot, and non-existent chemistry between its American Idol-sanctioned leads," wrote Rotten Tomatoes about the film. I am deeply sorry for reminding you about "From Justin to Kelly."
  • The United States took home 10 gold, 13 silver and 11 bronze medals at the Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno won a gold and a silver, and made the bandana cool again for like 10 minutes.

Let that flow wash over you.

  • Apple released the iMac G4 desktop computer, which looked like it was cousins with a lamp.
  • "A Beautiful Mind" won best picture at the Academy Awards. Denzel Washington won Best Actor for his role in "Training Day," while Halle Berry was named Best Actress for her portrayal of Leticia in "Monster's Ball." Whoopi Goldberg hosted the event because 2002.
  • Dick Cheney became Acting President of the United State for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Why? George Bush was sedated while undergoing a colonoscopy. 

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