The Colorado Buffaloes led the Michigan Wolverines 21-7 at the end of the first quarter. Michigan scored on a blocked punt but had been manhandled by Colorado on offense and defense. The quick paced offense and the attacking defense were doing their jobs, keeping the #4 Michigan team off balance and on their heels.
Then, for some reason, the Buffs decided to slow things down. They continued to line up quickly but started pausing at the line to change plays from the sideline. Instead of forcing Michigan to have 5 seconds or so to get ready for the next play, the Buffs started taking almost the full play clock to get their plays off. Michigan got their wind back, and the Buffs started faltering on offense. Add the faltering offense to a disastrous punt team and the recipe for destruction was complete.
The Buffs watched their 21-7 lead disappear as they fell behind 24-21 at the end of the first half when Mac and Lindgren decided to run out the clock instead of going for more points. The gambit failed. Michigan got the ball back and scored with 10 seconds left before half to take the lead.
In the 2nd half, the Buffs again turned on the offense and scored on a 70 yard pass shortly after beginning the 3rd quarter. They retook the lead 28-24. The Wolverines' Jabril Peppers returned the kickoff 55 yards and Michigan scored 2 plays later to take the lead for good.
QB Sefo Liufau was hurt on the play before he heaved the 70 yard TD. One more series showed that he was done for the day. Buff fans now wait to see if he will be ready for Oregon this week or will be out longer.
Backup QB Steven Montez' first two passes were dropped (one of which would have been a touchdown), and the deflation of the Buff offense was visible to all at Michigan Stadium. Lindgren's play calling packed it in as well, and the Buffs did their best to run out the clock and keep the loss under the betting line.
By then, as well, the defense realized the futility of their task. The offense was no threat to score and the punting team threatened to give up a score every time they came on the field. They watched their 21-7 lead evaporate into a 45-28 loss. Twenty-eight of Michigan's points came off of miscues by the special teams.
The defense under Jim Leavitt is one of the best in the Pac-12. But that fact is being shrouded by conservative play calling on offense and remarkably bad play by the special teams.
What Gives?
The Colorado Buffaloes offense under Mike MacIntyre and Brian Lindgren do not handle unexpected prosperity well. And it is not just this year. It has been going on since they arrived.
2015
In the game against USC, the Buffs built and squandered a 17-3 lead. They did not score again until they were behind 27-17. They lost the game 27-24.
They much prefer to roar back after being down. Against UCLA last year, the Buffs trailed 21-6 and 28-13 before retaking a 31-28 lead before finally losing 35-31.
Against Arizona, the Buffs trailed 17-7 before coming back to take a 24-17 lead. Then they gave up three 4th quarter touchdowns to fall behind by 14. They lost the game 38-31.
2014
In the game against Cal, the Buffs took had leads of 21-7 and 28-14. Cal came back to tie the game at 28. They eventually lost 59-56 in triple overtime.
Against Washington, the Buffs led 10-0 and 20-10 before giving up three touchdowns in the last 21 minutes and losing 38-23
In the Oregon State game, the Buffs came back from a 17-7 deficit to lead 21-20. They lost the game 36-31.
Against UCLA, the Buffs trailed 17-0 and 31-17 before storming back to tie the game at 31 and force overtime. The Buffs lost in triple overtime again, by the score of 40-37.
2013
The Buffs trail Utah 21-0 before finally losing 24-17.
What do the nine games have in common?
The Buffs either squandered big leads or came back from big deficits. And most importantly, the Buffs lost all nine games.
Lest anyone think I am only picking on the games the Buffs lost, remember that the conference record of the Buffs under MacIntyre is 2-25, so there are not a lot of conference wins to point at.
Despite the trials and tribulations, the Buffs need to address that they have shown they can play in the Pac-12, but they need to take the next step and actually win some of the games that are close. If they do not, changes need to be made.
The Buffs fan base called for Lindgren's head last year, and MacIntyre relented to bringing in a co-offensive coordinator in Darrin Chiaverini. It seems to be working out against the lesser opposition, but Mac needs it to work against conference foes if he expects to keep his job.
Some people point out (like this writer has many, many times) that the Buffs are so much closer than they used to be... but the time to win is now. If you win less than 10% of your conference games year after year, does the final score really matter?
No comments:
Post a Comment