Colorado vs. Oregon State: Why it is a Winnable Game for the Buffs

After three long weeks off courtesy of a bye week and 100 year flooding, the Colorado Buffaloes head off to Corvallis with a chance to extend their 2013 record to 3-0. Nobody outside of Boulder seems to think the Buffs have much of a chance, but the view from here is that the Beavers and everyone else in the conference are going to be re-evaluating Colorado after the game. Or just maybe, they will be taking a harder look at Oregon State.

Let's go back to August and remember that these Beavers were ranked in the top 25 to start the season. There were high expectations as they took the home field against FCS team Eastern Washington... and proceeded to give up 49 points in a LOSS. An update to the dominating offense shown by EW shows they scored only 21 points in their latest game, a loss to powerhouse Toledo.

It it true that OSU has responded to their shocking opening game loss to EW by winning three straight games... but they have been very uninspiring in those games which they should have won easily if they were really a top 25 caliber team. After all, Hawaii and San Diego State are a combined 0-6.

Even then, it took a collapse of damn near biblical proportions for San Diego State to lose their game against Oregon State. Even though they were way ahead deep in the fourth quarter, the Aztecs decided to keep throwing and gave up two interceptions (including a pick 6) to seal their stunning come from ahead loss. If they had opted for the old "3 yards and cloud of dust" followed by a couple of punts, the Aztecs would be reveling in a big win this week.

In retrospect, the Beavers did go on the road and earn a big win over Utah. Like Colorado, not  much was expected of Utah this year. But they beat Utah State, an 11 game winner last year, and a team that should have defeated USC at the Coliseum in Los Angeles had their coaches not been so poor in clock management. They also beat BYU a week after the Cougars destroyed the Texas Longhorns. Even so, BYU's record still stands at 1-2, while Utah is 3-1.

That means that OSU has won three straight against teams with a combined record of 3-7. It is not something that should be inspiring fear in any future opponent, including Colorado.

Despite the 2-0 start for the Mike MacIntyre's Buffaloes, many CU fans have been wringing their hands at the lack of a running game. As bad as it has been running the ball for Colorado, it has been much worse for OSU. This reason alone shows why Sean Mannion has to throw so much. Hell, he threw 50 times against Hawaii and the game wasn't even close. But if you cannot run the ball, there really is no other option.

While the college football world seems to be caught up in calling Mannion the greatest thing since Beaver pelts in pre-industrial America, the fact is that his stats are only marginally different than those of CU's Connor Wood. And Mannion has had to throw the ball more than 48 times a game, which is 7 more per game than Wood has heaved it up.

One of the reasons that Mannion has put up such large numbers passing has been that the Beavers have HAD to throw the ball while trying to play catch-up or being caught in a shoot-out. The OSU defense has been a little shell-shocked this year, and not to some very good teams.

It is a FACT that the Beavers have not had to play a receiver of the caliber of Colorado's Paul Richardson this year. Richardson leads the country in yards per game with back to back 200 yard games. How good is that? In more than 100 years of CU football, there had only been three 200 yard games by receivers before Richardson arrived in Boulder. With his start this year, Richardson now has 3 all by himself. That's pretty good when you consider how many NFL wide-outs have played their college ball in Boulder over the years.

Taking a long hard look at Colorado and Oregon State offers the promise of an exciting game. One HUNDRED passes and more than 1000 yards of total offense look likely. There will be LOTS and LOTS of highlights.

What the game will most likely come down to is DEFENSE. Whoever can make the most big plays and create some turnovers will win. Whoever can pressure the quarterback effectively and minimize big plays will win. Both teams have shown they can come back and both have fought through adversity to win. Neither team can count on the other team giving up, even if they are down.

These facts will make this an exciting game. It is a winnable game for both teams. Methinks the Buffs come out with a 3-0 record, and a pride that has not been seen for a long, long time. It is a win that should earn them a brick in the wall.

FUCK 'EM UP, FUCK 'EM UP... GO CU!