Filed by Mitch Sherman at 10:52 a.m.

Late word on a development sure to impact the mindset of the Colorado players Friday in their season finale against Nebraska: Apparently, coach Dan Hawkins is going to get another year in Boulder.

So say many media reports from out of Colorado, indicating that a Thanksgiving afternoon annoucement on Hawkins' future is planned. Athletic Director Mike Bohn took a red-eye flight from Maui, arriving home early today.

Hawkins refused to discuss the situation Wednesday night during or after his radio show on the CU network, according to the Denver Post, but the fourth-year coach was in a jovial mood, joking with fans who called in to congratulate him on the news reports.

Of immediate relevance to Nebraska, how will this good news for CU (Is it really good news?) affect the Buffs Friday at Folsom Field?

If Hawkins is coming back, Friday appears to mark the first NU-CU meeting in Boulder since 2001 that didn't serve as the final regular-season game for a head coach on one sideline.

Those unstable situations generally promote unpredictability, as we saw in 2003, 2005 and 2007.Less craziness would seem to favor the Huskers, who have the better football team.

But there's a school of thought, too, that says the Buffs will emerge energized when relieved of the pressure that has accompanied the Hawkins' drama.

We'll see tomorrow. Until then, happy Thanksgiving.

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