Colorado Buff Connor Wood's passing is an absolute beast to contend with... as long as it's first down. Not quite so much on second down. But the real problem surfaces on third downs, where the problem is that it's either move the chains or get rid of the ball (punt, FG attempt, or go for it on 4th down).
During the first two games of the season, the CU Buffs were clicking along by converting 40% of their 3rd downs into first down. The result? Two wins. The last two games have been quite different. The Buffs have converted only two out of thirty (6-7%) of their third downs, and the Buffs have been blown out twice.
Those still clinging to the idea that the Buffs might make it to a bowl game at the end of THIS year should consider that Jordan Webb is now healthy again and is now likely the backup to Connor Wood (mostly to save the redshirt for Sefo Liufau), according to head coach Mike MacIntyre.
What does Jordan Webb offer? Mostly this: He has started or played major minutes in 31 college games at the FBS level. He has seen a lot of third downs, a lot of different defenses, and he's a gamer. He gives it his all every snap from the beginning to the end of each game. And he's seen just about everything that defenses from the Big 12 and Pac-12 have to offer.
Many Buff fans are horrified by the idea of Webb taking any more snaps at Colorado. Why? Because he was unfortunate enough to be the starting quarterback under the worst coaching staff in the country the last two years. It was not Webb's fault that the Buff D under Brown and Embree was the worst in the country. And it was not Webb's fault that OC Eric Bieniemy was a horrible play caller who had trouble even getting plays into his team with more than 6-7 seconds left on the clock.
But many so-called Buff fans continue to blame Jordan Webb for the lack of prowess by his coaches. Give him a break. Under the right play calling and a hurry up offense, Webb gives CU a much tougher scheme to defend, especially on third down. He is quicker than Wood if running becomes necessary, but more importantly, he has a softer touch on his short to medium passes. And this will allow the Buffs to move the chains.
No one is suggesting that Connor Wood be replaced as the starter, but it seems that using Webb on occasion for third and short (5 yards or less) would give opposing defenses fits because he is such a different type of player than Wood. If Connor and the rest of team are committed to winning above all (and I think they are) then strategic use of Jordan Webb would give Colorado their best chance at winning six games and making themselves bowl eligible this year.
Maybe I'm alone, but it seems the Buffs should use whatever assets are at their disposal in order to win. Using Jordan Webb on third downs once in a while (or more often if it works well) gives the Buffs a better chance to win than simply sticking with a young QB with only 4 real games under his belt.
Connor's arm makes him a threat to hit the long ball, for sure, but his greatest success by far has been on first down. Allow him to grow and learn from someone with lots and lots of experience. And allow him to learn in a winning environment. It's a lot easier to learn and remember your lessons after you get to sing your fight song in victory after the game.
Go Buffs!
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