Views of Colorado vs. Oregon Game from Oregon; Black & Silver?

The University of Oregon Ducks apparently have exactly what they need this week: A trip to Boulder to play the University of Colorado Buffaloes. Oregonlive.com's "Sneak Peek: Oregon Ducks vs. Colorado Buffaloes" predicts a 17 point win for the Ducks (45-28).

While the article does say nice things about Nelson Spruce and that Colorado has three running backs with more than 200 yards rushing this season (Powell, Adkins, and Lindsay), the tone overall was rather dismissive.

It points out that the Buffs three victories have come against teams that are 2-8 on the year. The Ducks victories, however, are much more impressive. They have beaten Eastern Washington and Georgia State, who own an impressive combined record of 3-4, including wins over powerhouse teams New Mexico State, Montana State, and Sacramento State (combined record of 3-7). The Ducks beat teams that also managed to lose to Charlotte and Northern Iowa.

Writer Andrew Greif wrote the "Sneak Peek" and was apparently on vacation during the Ducks embarrassing loss to Utah on Saturday.

While Greif ignored the Ducks' shortcomings in his article, other writers at Oregonlive.com did not.

• John Canzano wrote an excellent article detailing the implosion of the Ducks, "Oregon Ducks have lost their football identity"
• Ken Goe wrote an eye-opening piece: "Utah is No. 1, Oregon plummets on my ballot for the O's Pac-12 Power Rankings"

Goe has Colorado ranked #9 in the rankings ahead of Arizona State, Oregon State, and Washington State. Better yet, he surmises that Colorado is "salivating about this week's game with Oregon."

Canzano wrote that "An era of Oregon football ended Saturday" and that he fears "... a long couple of seasons filled with exhausting nights and early-departing fans" if the Ducks don't turn it around.

One thing is perfectly clear, the Buffs have a real shot at beating the Ducks for the first time since they joined the Pac-12.

The game will depend on the mental states of the Buffs and the Ducks. Head Coach Mike MacIntyre has the opportunity to take the Buffs to the next level. All things considered, beating the Ducks this week will not be like taking down a Top 10 team. Hell, it won't even be like taking down a Top 25 team. But it will allow the Buffs to learn in their hearts that they themselves can play with teams that are normally in the running for a national championship. And it would be the first time in a decade that they could make that claim.

-----------------------
Pre-game Note: What idiot called for Buff fans to wear SILVER(?) as part of the "Silver and Black Attack" against Oregon? 

Silver does not show up very well, especially at a night game. It's like asking half the crowd to show up in gray. This is especially true since ALMOST NOBODY owns silver clothes. This is like "50 Shades of Dumb" if they are trying to look good for ESPN.

This should have been a "blackout" game or "black and gold" because they contrast so well. Hopefully the Buffs will have a better game plan than whoever decided on this horrible choice of colors.