Although the Colorado Buffaloes sit at 3-1, one third of the way through the regular season, things seem to be amiss in the Buffaloes program. After finally having a breakthrough winning season last year, most fans expected Colorado to double down on all the hard work that had brought them from worst to first in 2016.
With one of the easiest non-conference schedules in the FBS, the Buffaloes were expected to romp in their first three games and then show the country how far they'd come in the rematch of last season's Pac-12 Championship game. Instead, Mike MacIntyre's team seemingly sleepwalked to 3-0 against over-matched opponents and then were bulldozed yet again by the Washington Huskies in a carbon copy of their beat-down last December.
Now the Buffaloes venture outside the State of Colorado for the first time this season, and travel to Pasadena to take on UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Even though the Bruins have struggled mightily this season, they are still favored to beat Colorado. How will the Buffs react to that?
Washington is a Top 5 or 6 team, so CU knew they would be the underdog. Although UCLA has some outstanding players who are destined to end up in the NFL, collectively they are not a very good team. They are ranked worse than 100th in numerous categories on defense. Yet they are still favored to beat Colorado. It will be telling to see how the CU coaches and players play out this game.
If Colorado comes out and plays a full game for the first time this season, and dominates the Bruins, they can fully expect to contend for the Pac-12 South title. This is especially true with USC having already lost this weekend.
If the Buffaloes are manhandled by UCLA like they were Washington, however, it could turn into a long and disappointing season in Boulder. Coach MacIntyre's coach of the year trophies from last year will make interesting resume topics if the Buffaloes fall back to their losing ways.
This game may very well be the most important game of the year for MacIntyre as the Buffaloes. Indeed, it will be a bellwether game for good or bad if the score isn't close.
If it's a close game win for Colorado, they can still move forward and improve their team. If it's a close loss, the Buffaloes can learn and still go bowling. But a loss of any sort or magnitude will likely take them out of the running for the Pac-12 South.
The question at hand, 90 minutes before kickoff, is whether the 2016 inspired Buffaloes finally show up and show they care or not. The next few hours will be very telling.
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Friday, September 29, 2017
The Pac-12's "Moral Authority" Took a Beating This Week
Those of us who have been lifelong fans of the Pac 8-10-12 over the decades have always been pretty firm in our belief that "our" college athletics was handled in the proper manner. We believed that the primary reason for our universities was to educate, and that those attending our schools needed to be students first and athletes second. And despite this, the conference was the "Conference of Champions" in the national landscape.
We believed our blood brothers in this rightful hierarchy of academic and athletics was the Big 10. The schools in the two conferences were not only among the best in the country, but also the world. In the latest world rankings of universities for academic achievement, the two conferences tied to the Rose Bowl (The Granddaddy of them All) put a combined 16 schools among the best 100 in the entire world.
As schools from other parts of the country struggled to properly balance school with sport, we smugly patted ourselves on the back. When an investigative report on a national news program (like 60 Minutes) told us of some professional sports players filing suit against their universities because they had been pushed through and graduated to keep them eligible even though they were functionally illiterate, we shook our heads knowing that "those things" didn't happen in our parts of the country.
As college sports became Big Time and Big Money, however, the temptation for schools to win on the national stage became overwhelming. Simply allowing unqualified students to attend to help a school win seemed almost noble in comparison. Some rationalized that they would help these poor young men get the education they missed in high school, where they were also passed along to keep them eligible for sports.
Schools, particularly in basketball, went hard with handfuls (or bags full) of cash after young men who they knew would never even attend a collegiate course. They'd come in as FIVE STAR players, with cash in hand, play for one season and move on to professional basketball in the US or overseas before the NCAA caught on that they were not really students. There's even a name for them among the fans and press: The One and Done's.
It's a system which works for basketball because exceptional hardwood talents can be among the best in the country even as freshmen. It's much harder to do in football, but not totally unheard of.
When the FBI announced that they had made the first arrests of college coaches involved in high stakes bribery, and that system involved agents, financial managers, and even shoe companies, no one who follows college athletics was really surprised. Coaches were paid to advise young men who to hire as agents and advisors, and they were also directed to use money to lure young men to the "right" schools, where those with a financial stake could exercise influence over them.
That the Pac-12 had two of the first four coaches arrested was shocking to fans. Although, in reality, the USC coach was not a shock because, after all, USC has gotten in trouble before for athletes being paid. In fact, most fans in the Pac-12 refer to USC as an "Honorary SEC team" because of their predilection for running afoul of NCAA rules. The arrest of a coach at Arizona was another matter altogether.
The Wildcats were one of the Top 10 in all-time winning percentage. They had made it to the NCAA tournament every year except one in the last 32 years. They were the most consistently excellent program in the Pac-12 during those years. And now, it turns out, they've been paying players to go to Tucson. Head coach Sean Miller has not been arrested or indicted... yet. But his assistant, Emanuel "Book" Richardson was among the first arrested by the FBI. Most of us have a sneaking suspicion that the nickname "Book" has absolutely nothing to do with reading.
We were never surprised if the Louisville's or Kentucky's or Alabama's of the college landscape got caught paying players. Why would anyone willingly go to those places unless there was money involved? Isn't it amazing how certain we can be in our naivete?
The FBI claims that the first arrests were just the tip of the iceberg of a much larger, nationwide, problem of a multi-billion dollar industry being largely dependent on (officially) unpaid young athletes. How could that system possibly go wrong, right?
No matter what happens, fans from the Pac-12 have had their moral assured-ness in the propriety of their college athletics take a severe beating. They likely will never feel that way again. Overall, maybe that's a good thing. Blind faith in anything only leads to trouble.
We believed our blood brothers in this rightful hierarchy of academic and athletics was the Big 10. The schools in the two conferences were not only among the best in the country, but also the world. In the latest world rankings of universities for academic achievement, the two conferences tied to the Rose Bowl (The Granddaddy of them All) put a combined 16 schools among the best 100 in the entire world.
As schools from other parts of the country struggled to properly balance school with sport, we smugly patted ourselves on the back. When an investigative report on a national news program (like 60 Minutes) told us of some professional sports players filing suit against their universities because they had been pushed through and graduated to keep them eligible even though they were functionally illiterate, we shook our heads knowing that "those things" didn't happen in our parts of the country.
As college sports became Big Time and Big Money, however, the temptation for schools to win on the national stage became overwhelming. Simply allowing unqualified students to attend to help a school win seemed almost noble in comparison. Some rationalized that they would help these poor young men get the education they missed in high school, where they were also passed along to keep them eligible for sports.
Schools, particularly in basketball, went hard with handfuls (or bags full) of cash after young men who they knew would never even attend a collegiate course. They'd come in as FIVE STAR players, with cash in hand, play for one season and move on to professional basketball in the US or overseas before the NCAA caught on that they were not really students. There's even a name for them among the fans and press: The One and Done's.
It's a system which works for basketball because exceptional hardwood talents can be among the best in the country even as freshmen. It's much harder to do in football, but not totally unheard of.
When the FBI announced that they had made the first arrests of college coaches involved in high stakes bribery, and that system involved agents, financial managers, and even shoe companies, no one who follows college athletics was really surprised. Coaches were paid to advise young men who to hire as agents and advisors, and they were also directed to use money to lure young men to the "right" schools, where those with a financial stake could exercise influence over them.
That the Pac-12 had two of the first four coaches arrested was shocking to fans. Although, in reality, the USC coach was not a shock because, after all, USC has gotten in trouble before for athletes being paid. In fact, most fans in the Pac-12 refer to USC as an "Honorary SEC team" because of their predilection for running afoul of NCAA rules. The arrest of a coach at Arizona was another matter altogether.
The Wildcats were one of the Top 10 in all-time winning percentage. They had made it to the NCAA tournament every year except one in the last 32 years. They were the most consistently excellent program in the Pac-12 during those years. And now, it turns out, they've been paying players to go to Tucson. Head coach Sean Miller has not been arrested or indicted... yet. But his assistant, Emanuel "Book" Richardson was among the first arrested by the FBI. Most of us have a sneaking suspicion that the nickname "Book" has absolutely nothing to do with reading.
We were never surprised if the Louisville's or Kentucky's or Alabama's of the college landscape got caught paying players. Why would anyone willingly go to those places unless there was money involved? Isn't it amazing how certain we can be in our naivete?
The FBI claims that the first arrests were just the tip of the iceberg of a much larger, nationwide, problem of a multi-billion dollar industry being largely dependent on (officially) unpaid young athletes. How could that system possibly go wrong, right?
No matter what happens, fans from the Pac-12 have had their moral assured-ness in the propriety of their college athletics take a severe beating. They likely will never feel that way again. Overall, maybe that's a good thing. Blind faith in anything only leads to trouble.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Mike MacIntyre's Proclamations About Colorado Football have been WAY OFF this Year
Although Mike MacIntyre's Colorado Buffaloes have gone 3-1 to start the 2017 season, things are not going nearly so well as last year. The Buffs are averaging just over 26 points a game this year vs. the 42 points a game at this point last season.
That's almost 2 1/2 touchdowns less per game from an offense that Mac claimed would be "one of the best in the country" this year. What makes this even more alarming is that 2016's early season schedule was considered one of the more difficult ones in the country, whereas this season's was considered one of the easiest.
Of course, one of the prices a team pays for success (like winning the Pac-12 South) is that expectations of fans and boosters (and the Administration) goes up. Last year, after a decade of losing, any and every win was celebrated as special. This year, just winning isn't enough. The Buffs are expected to win well. And scoring 16 points a game LESS against weaker competition is not winning well.
Many are also concerned about MacIntyre's proclamations before and during the season. The aforementioned claim about one of the best offenses in the country was one. The claim that the Buffs' offensive line would be one of the best in Colorado's history was another that has not panned out. Mac also claimed that the CU defense would only be a work in progress that would likely have to be "saved" by the exploits of the offense. He was wrong. It has been the defense saving the day for the Buffaloes.
While the offensive output has declined by 16 points per game, the Buffs' D has stepped it and is allowing 4 fewer points than last year's team. Fortunately, the head coach was wrong about his defense.
And the offensive line that the head coach proclaimed would be the best in more than a decade has struggled with both run and pass blocking. The 14 sacks the line has allowed are one of the worst at the FBS level. In fact, only 5 of 130 teams at the FBS level give up more sacks per game.
What's the moral of this story? Or, more accurately, what questions do these numbers raise? Mostly this: Does Mac have an accurate take on his team? Or is he just proclaiming what he hopes?
Pac-12 play is now on for the rest of the year. The first conference game was a repeat of last year's disaster in the Pac-12 Championship game. The Buffs lost just as bad even though they were playing at home and had been pointing at the game for more than nine months as a chance to get revenge or at least redeem themselves. "Same as it ever was" must be ringing in their ears for what turned out to be nearly "an identical twin" to last December's game.
More concerning was that the game against Washington was the 6th straight game that the Buffaloes had struggled to play a full game since winning 10 of 12 in the 2016 regular season. Since that time, the Buffs have lost three of six. They got beaten handily (by roughly 4 touchdowns a game) in their three losses and have looked uninspired in their three wins against markedly weaker competition.
This week, the Buffs travel to Los Angeles to take on UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Watch for the next post to look back on how Jim Mora and the Bruins emotionally exposed Colorado and Mike MacIntyre last season. The Buffs won, but it was ugly, ugly, ugly.
Along with the misreadings of Mac, followers of CU have been bothered by the lack of offensive imagination. Many fans have pointed out (loudly) that Colorado's offensive play caller Brian Lindgren has been out-coached on game day more often than not since he came aboard with MacIntyre for the 2013 season.
He doesn't seem to adjust well to what defensive scheme his team is facing. When going against very bad teams against the run, Lindgren seems to forget that and go pass heavy. When teams stack the box with seven defenders to take away the run, Lindgren calls running plays up the middle. Fans have found it very infuriating.
In the first three years that Lindgren called the plays, opposing coaches knew CU didn't have the players on the field to compete. They could just line up and win. No special schemes needed. Since Colorado has developed their on-field talent to be the equal of the other Pac-12 teams, the opposing coaches have gone after the tendencies of the coaches calling the plays.
On offense, that's Brian Lindgren. He and Mac must have a very special relationship, because Mac fired the defensive coordinator before Jim Leavitt for bad coaching. When will Mac hold Lindgren accountable? Lindgren doesn't have to be fired, but maybe he needs to get back on the field and work during games with his young quarterbacks instead of sitting up in the booth. Face to face coaching and encouragement is much better than phone contact, especially when things are not going well.
Where does the buck finally stop, Mr. MacIntyre?
That's almost 2 1/2 touchdowns less per game from an offense that Mac claimed would be "one of the best in the country" this year. What makes this even more alarming is that 2016's early season schedule was considered one of the more difficult ones in the country, whereas this season's was considered one of the easiest.
Of course, one of the prices a team pays for success (like winning the Pac-12 South) is that expectations of fans and boosters (and the Administration) goes up. Last year, after a decade of losing, any and every win was celebrated as special. This year, just winning isn't enough. The Buffs are expected to win well. And scoring 16 points a game LESS against weaker competition is not winning well.
Many are also concerned about MacIntyre's proclamations before and during the season. The aforementioned claim about one of the best offenses in the country was one. The claim that the Buffs' offensive line would be one of the best in Colorado's history was another that has not panned out. Mac also claimed that the CU defense would only be a work in progress that would likely have to be "saved" by the exploits of the offense. He was wrong. It has been the defense saving the day for the Buffaloes.
While the offensive output has declined by 16 points per game, the Buffs' D has stepped it and is allowing 4 fewer points than last year's team. Fortunately, the head coach was wrong about his defense.
And the offensive line that the head coach proclaimed would be the best in more than a decade has struggled with both run and pass blocking. The 14 sacks the line has allowed are one of the worst at the FBS level. In fact, only 5 of 130 teams at the FBS level give up more sacks per game.
What's the moral of this story? Or, more accurately, what questions do these numbers raise? Mostly this: Does Mac have an accurate take on his team? Or is he just proclaiming what he hopes?
Pac-12 play is now on for the rest of the year. The first conference game was a repeat of last year's disaster in the Pac-12 Championship game. The Buffs lost just as bad even though they were playing at home and had been pointing at the game for more than nine months as a chance to get revenge or at least redeem themselves. "Same as it ever was" must be ringing in their ears for what turned out to be nearly "an identical twin" to last December's game.
More concerning was that the game against Washington was the 6th straight game that the Buffaloes had struggled to play a full game since winning 10 of 12 in the 2016 regular season. Since that time, the Buffs have lost three of six. They got beaten handily (by roughly 4 touchdowns a game) in their three losses and have looked uninspired in their three wins against markedly weaker competition.
This week, the Buffs travel to Los Angeles to take on UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Watch for the next post to look back on how Jim Mora and the Bruins emotionally exposed Colorado and Mike MacIntyre last season. The Buffs won, but it was ugly, ugly, ugly.
Along with the misreadings of Mac, followers of CU have been bothered by the lack of offensive imagination. Many fans have pointed out (loudly) that Colorado's offensive play caller Brian Lindgren has been out-coached on game day more often than not since he came aboard with MacIntyre for the 2013 season.
He doesn't seem to adjust well to what defensive scheme his team is facing. When going against very bad teams against the run, Lindgren seems to forget that and go pass heavy. When teams stack the box with seven defenders to take away the run, Lindgren calls running plays up the middle. Fans have found it very infuriating.
In the first three years that Lindgren called the plays, opposing coaches knew CU didn't have the players on the field to compete. They could just line up and win. No special schemes needed. Since Colorado has developed their on-field talent to be the equal of the other Pac-12 teams, the opposing coaches have gone after the tendencies of the coaches calling the plays.
On offense, that's Brian Lindgren. He and Mac must have a very special relationship, because Mac fired the defensive coordinator before Jim Leavitt for bad coaching. When will Mac hold Lindgren accountable? Lindgren doesn't have to be fired, but maybe he needs to get back on the field and work during games with his young quarterbacks instead of sitting up in the booth. Face to face coaching and encouragement is much better than phone contact, especially when things are not going well.
Where does the buck finally stop, Mr. MacIntyre?
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Day of Reckoning Arrives for Colorado Buffaloes vs Washington Huskies
Last year at this time, the Colorado Buffaloes were three weeks in to what would turn out to be a magical rebirth after 10 straight seasons without a winning record.
After starting the season with two straight wins, the Buffs traveled to Ann Arbor to take on the Top 10 Michigan Wolverines in the Big House, one of the most storied venues in college football. After a decade of losing football, the crowds in Boulder had dropped to less than 40,000 people for a typical game. At Michigan, the Buffs played in front of 110,042.
Some expected the Buffaloes to come out wide-eyed and intimidated, but Colorado came out swinging. Just over 3 minutes into the game, the Buffaloes held a 14-0 lead in front of a stunned crowd. Those Buffaloes were not the same team that had been routinely routed for a growing number of years.
Although Michigan would come back to win 45-28, the Buffs learned they could play with anyone in any location. It was an important lesson that the Buffs carried through the turnaround regular season. The Buffs had a 10-2 record, and their only other loss was also on the road to USC, and they became Pac-12 South Champions after finishing last each year since they joined the Conference of Champions.
The magical run was rudely interrupted once the post season had begun. In the conference championship game, Washington used Colorado as little more than a speed bump on their way to the College Football Playoffs in a rousing 41-10 beat-down. That poor play continued into the bowl game as Oklahoma State shut down the Buffs 38-8 in the Alamo Bowl.
Maybe it was the higher level of competition, but the Buffs were severely over-matched against the Top 10 Huskies and Cowboys. Although Colorado had moved into the Top 10 at the end of the regular season, those two games showed they were not quite yet an elite team.
Fast forward to 2017, and Colorado was ready to show they were back for good. Season ticket sales rose again and the Buff faithful were growing in numbers and enthusiasm.
The Buffaloes have started the year 3-0 for only the second time this century... but their uninspiring play so far against over-matched opponents has left Buff fans wondering if last season was a sign of better things to come or just an anomaly.
Head coach Mike MacIntyre has steadfastly maintained through spring practices and summer camp that the Buffaloes would be VERY good. He said the offense would be one of the best in the country and the offensive line would be the best in Boulder in more than a decade, and maybe one Colorado's best ever. What is it they say about famous last words?
Three games in, the offensive line has provided sporadic play at best. QB Steven Montez has taken a beating against teams Colorado should have handled easily. The Buffs did win their games, but they looked pretty unimpressive doing so.
Now Washington comes to town riding high after their Top 10 finish last year and three solid wins to begin the season. Their top players at QB and tailback have spent lots of time on the bench after putting up gaudy numbers and letting the backups finish the game. They come into the game rested and playing very well.
By comparison, the Buffs had to keep their starters in all game to finish the win against FCS Northern Colorado. And they needed a big second half surge against Texas State, last season's consensus choice as the worst team in the FBS. Their performances have not inspired much confidence, as they have routinely played down to the level of their opponents.
Players and coaches alike have been pointing to this game since the big loss in the Pac-12 Championship as a chance to redeem themselves. All the while, their lackadaisical play and typically horrendous and predictable play-calling have most CU fans unable to fathom a win, even at home.
Some might find it strange that so soon after ANY win was cause for celebration, the Buffaloes now find themselves being criticized for not winning well enough. Such is the price of success.
Now arrives the day the players have been talking about since early December last year. Today is the day the Buffaloes can prove they belong among the elite of the Pac-12 and the country. Or they can continue a string of five games where they were uninspiring in victory AND defeat.
It's been 294 days since Colorado last played Washington. As the bells ring out each hour until game time, Colorado knows their day of reckoning has arrived.
They need not
"Send to know
For whom the bell tolls;
It Tolls for Thee..."
John Donne
Meditation 17
Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions
After starting the season with two straight wins, the Buffs traveled to Ann Arbor to take on the Top 10 Michigan Wolverines in the Big House, one of the most storied venues in college football. After a decade of losing football, the crowds in Boulder had dropped to less than 40,000 people for a typical game. At Michigan, the Buffs played in front of 110,042.
Some expected the Buffaloes to come out wide-eyed and intimidated, but Colorado came out swinging. Just over 3 minutes into the game, the Buffaloes held a 14-0 lead in front of a stunned crowd. Those Buffaloes were not the same team that had been routinely routed for a growing number of years.
Although Michigan would come back to win 45-28, the Buffs learned they could play with anyone in any location. It was an important lesson that the Buffs carried through the turnaround regular season. The Buffs had a 10-2 record, and their only other loss was also on the road to USC, and they became Pac-12 South Champions after finishing last each year since they joined the Conference of Champions.
The magical run was rudely interrupted once the post season had begun. In the conference championship game, Washington used Colorado as little more than a speed bump on their way to the College Football Playoffs in a rousing 41-10 beat-down. That poor play continued into the bowl game as Oklahoma State shut down the Buffs 38-8 in the Alamo Bowl.
Maybe it was the higher level of competition, but the Buffs were severely over-matched against the Top 10 Huskies and Cowboys. Although Colorado had moved into the Top 10 at the end of the regular season, those two games showed they were not quite yet an elite team.
Fast forward to 2017, and Colorado was ready to show they were back for good. Season ticket sales rose again and the Buff faithful were growing in numbers and enthusiasm.
The Buffaloes have started the year 3-0 for only the second time this century... but their uninspiring play so far against over-matched opponents has left Buff fans wondering if last season was a sign of better things to come or just an anomaly.
Head coach Mike MacIntyre has steadfastly maintained through spring practices and summer camp that the Buffaloes would be VERY good. He said the offense would be one of the best in the country and the offensive line would be the best in Boulder in more than a decade, and maybe one Colorado's best ever. What is it they say about famous last words?
Three games in, the offensive line has provided sporadic play at best. QB Steven Montez has taken a beating against teams Colorado should have handled easily. The Buffs did win their games, but they looked pretty unimpressive doing so.
Now Washington comes to town riding high after their Top 10 finish last year and three solid wins to begin the season. Their top players at QB and tailback have spent lots of time on the bench after putting up gaudy numbers and letting the backups finish the game. They come into the game rested and playing very well.
By comparison, the Buffs had to keep their starters in all game to finish the win against FCS Northern Colorado. And they needed a big second half surge against Texas State, last season's consensus choice as the worst team in the FBS. Their performances have not inspired much confidence, as they have routinely played down to the level of their opponents.
Players and coaches alike have been pointing to this game since the big loss in the Pac-12 Championship as a chance to redeem themselves. All the while, their lackadaisical play and typically horrendous and predictable play-calling have most CU fans unable to fathom a win, even at home.
Some might find it strange that so soon after ANY win was cause for celebration, the Buffaloes now find themselves being criticized for not winning well enough. Such is the price of success.
Now arrives the day the players have been talking about since early December last year. Today is the day the Buffaloes can prove they belong among the elite of the Pac-12 and the country. Or they can continue a string of five games where they were uninspiring in victory AND defeat.
It's been 294 days since Colorado last played Washington. As the bells ring out each hour until game time, Colorado knows their day of reckoning has arrived.
They need not
"Send to know
For whom the bell tolls;
It Tolls for Thee..."
John Donne
Meditation 17
Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Buffs Move to 3-0 with Win, Concerns Remain With Pac-12 Play Ahead
Sadly, it could be reasonably stated the University of Colorado Buffaloes survived their game against Northern Colorado, the little teacher's college up in Greeley. The final score was 41-21.
The Buffs stretch of 8 straight quarters without giving up a touchdown ended quickly. The Buffs went "three and out" to start the game and punted. UNC got the ball and marched down the field for a touchdown to go up 7-0. The Bears averaged more than 10 yards a play on the drive and their offensive line seemed to push around the Buffaloes. That can't be good with defending Pac-12 Champion Washington coming to Boulder next week.
Just a reminder, the Buffs were whipped by UW 41-10 in the conference title game last December. That game demonstrated that the rejuvenated Buffs were not really top 10 material even though they had just risen to #9 in the polls. The #4 Huskies dominated the game (as did Oklahoma State in the bowl game later in December).
In 2017, the Buffaloes have yet to be ranked. Washington, however is firmly entrenched near the top of the college football world at #6. If the Buffaloes play next week like they have played so far this season, that 41-10 beat-down will seem like a fond memory.
Numerous and dumb penalties, bad blocking and sketchy tackling (in addition to typically puzzling play calling by Brian Lindgren) make Colorado's chances against Washington appear pretty slim. The line hasn't been set yet, but expect it to be in the 17 point range. And if the Buffs don't improve A LOT this week, it won't be that close.
The Buffaloes need three more wins to be bowl eligible. Fortunately, some of the teams on the schedule seem to be really down this year, so that should be do-able. Right now, though, return trip to the Pac-12 Championship game looks like a pipe dream.
The Buffs stretch of 8 straight quarters without giving up a touchdown ended quickly. The Buffs went "three and out" to start the game and punted. UNC got the ball and marched down the field for a touchdown to go up 7-0. The Bears averaged more than 10 yards a play on the drive and their offensive line seemed to push around the Buffaloes. That can't be good with defending Pac-12 Champion Washington coming to Boulder next week.
Just a reminder, the Buffs were whipped by UW 41-10 in the conference title game last December. That game demonstrated that the rejuvenated Buffs were not really top 10 material even though they had just risen to #9 in the polls. The #4 Huskies dominated the game (as did Oklahoma State in the bowl game later in December).
In 2017, the Buffaloes have yet to be ranked. Washington, however is firmly entrenched near the top of the college football world at #6. If the Buffaloes play next week like they have played so far this season, that 41-10 beat-down will seem like a fond memory.
Numerous and dumb penalties, bad blocking and sketchy tackling (in addition to typically puzzling play calling by Brian Lindgren) make Colorado's chances against Washington appear pretty slim. The line hasn't been set yet, but expect it to be in the 17 point range. And if the Buffs don't improve A LOT this week, it won't be that close.
The Buffaloes need three more wins to be bowl eligible. Fortunately, some of the teams on the schedule seem to be really down this year, so that should be do-able. Right now, though, return trip to the Pac-12 Championship game looks like a pipe dream.
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Colorado vs Texas State: In-Game Updates
First Quarter
It's time for Colorado Buffaloes fans to be worried. With five minutes left in the opening stanza, the Colorado Buffaloes look more like the team from 2012 than last year's Pac-12 South Champions.
Horrible blocking has led to Steven Montez being sacked repeatedly. The blocking has been so bad that it looks like to the QB did something horrible and the line is refusing to block.
If things continue this way, Mike MacIntyre will find himself on the hot seat two games after winning national coach of the year last season. And Co-offensive coordinator and play caller Brian Lindgren has shown that he is still the worst at his job in the Pac-12.
Update:
Special teams saved the quarter for Colorado, but it was bittersweet. Isaiah Oliver fumbled a punt return, but the ball was scooped up by teammate Laviska Shenault Jr., who turned on the speed and took the ball to the house.
Colorado 7 - Texas State 0
Update:
Colorado goes 96 yards for a TD. Long passes to Shay Fields and Bryce Bobo are the big plays. Both passes, however, were close to being sacks by Texas State. And the Bobo catch was highlight reel.
CU 14 - Tex St 0
Halftime update: Colorado 14, Texas State 0
Colorado failed to produce anything during the two minute drill. And they wasted an opportunity to score again after the D shut down the Bobcats and forced a punt. To add insult to injury, Colorado had a very good punt return negated by lining up offsides on the punt.
Mac was interviewed on the way off the field and said the team "was making mistakes on the little things" and that they would work on them. Some of us are wondering if blocking is one of those little things?
Colorado was favored in this game by 36 points. The way they have played has been embarrassing. Even if they put up 40 more points in the 2nd half, this team looks to be seriously at risk of not making a bowl game.
Third Quarter
Lindgren strikes again with his patented call for a one yard pass on third and six. No chance for a first down, so the Buffs wasted an opportunity in the red zone to put six on the board.
Buffs 17 - Bobcats 0
Update
Buffs defense collapsed when they chose to have defensive end/ outside linebacker Derek McCartney cover a running back on a deep route. McCartney was not within 15 yards of the back when he caught the ball. But the Buffs got lucky when the Bobcat tripped after catching the ball. Instead of a TD, they had to settle for a field goal.
Buffs 17 - Bobcats 3
Update
Isaiah Oliver shows why he is one of the best in the country with an amazing one handed interception followed by an excellent return to get the Buff the ball in Bobcat territory.
After averaging a paltry 2 yards per carry, the Buffs managed to run it in from the 7 to take a 24-3 lead.
Update
Buffs finally put together an excellent drive by abandoning the long ball and hitting quick short passes. The drive ends with an 11 yard TD pass to Bryce Bobo.
End of 3rd quarter: Colorado 31 - Tex St. 3
Another drive stalls, but the new kicker nails a 40 yard field goal.
Buffs 34 - Bobcats 3
Update
Another turnover for the the Bobcats. Buffs go nowhere but kick another field goal to up lead to 37-3. Most impressive is that Colorado chooses to let backup QB Sam Noyer get into the game while a smiling Montez watches from the sidelines. It's good to get some reps to the RS freshman Noyer. Also, it's nice to finally have a QB who doesn't have a tizzy-fit on the sidelines if coaches try to take him out.
Buffs 37 - Bobcats 3
Buffs and Bobcats trade possessions to run out the clock. Noyer shows some skills, but also shows some freshman mistakes. Good to get some reps.
Final score: Colorado 37 -- Texas State 3
It's time for Colorado Buffaloes fans to be worried. With five minutes left in the opening stanza, the Colorado Buffaloes look more like the team from 2012 than last year's Pac-12 South Champions.
Horrible blocking has led to Steven Montez being sacked repeatedly. The blocking has been so bad that it looks like to the QB did something horrible and the line is refusing to block.
If things continue this way, Mike MacIntyre will find himself on the hot seat two games after winning national coach of the year last season. And Co-offensive coordinator and play caller Brian Lindgren has shown that he is still the worst at his job in the Pac-12.
Update:
Special teams saved the quarter for Colorado, but it was bittersweet. Isaiah Oliver fumbled a punt return, but the ball was scooped up by teammate Laviska Shenault Jr., who turned on the speed and took the ball to the house.
Colorado 7 - Texas State 0
Update:
Colorado goes 96 yards for a TD. Long passes to Shay Fields and Bryce Bobo are the big plays. Both passes, however, were close to being sacks by Texas State. And the Bobo catch was highlight reel.
CU 14 - Tex St 0
Halftime update: Colorado 14, Texas State 0
Colorado failed to produce anything during the two minute drill. And they wasted an opportunity to score again after the D shut down the Bobcats and forced a punt. To add insult to injury, Colorado had a very good punt return negated by lining up offsides on the punt.
Mac was interviewed on the way off the field and said the team "was making mistakes on the little things" and that they would work on them. Some of us are wondering if blocking is one of those little things?
Colorado was favored in this game by 36 points. The way they have played has been embarrassing. Even if they put up 40 more points in the 2nd half, this team looks to be seriously at risk of not making a bowl game.
Third Quarter
Lindgren strikes again with his patented call for a one yard pass on third and six. No chance for a first down, so the Buffs wasted an opportunity in the red zone to put six on the board.
Buffs 17 - Bobcats 0
Update
Buffs defense collapsed when they chose to have defensive end/ outside linebacker Derek McCartney cover a running back on a deep route. McCartney was not within 15 yards of the back when he caught the ball. But the Buffs got lucky when the Bobcat tripped after catching the ball. Instead of a TD, they had to settle for a field goal.
Buffs 17 - Bobcats 3
Update
Isaiah Oliver shows why he is one of the best in the country with an amazing one handed interception followed by an excellent return to get the Buff the ball in Bobcat territory.
After averaging a paltry 2 yards per carry, the Buffs managed to run it in from the 7 to take a 24-3 lead.
Update
Buffs finally put together an excellent drive by abandoning the long ball and hitting quick short passes. The drive ends with an 11 yard TD pass to Bryce Bobo.
End of 3rd quarter: Colorado 31 - Tex St. 3
Another drive stalls, but the new kicker nails a 40 yard field goal.
Buffs 34 - Bobcats 3
Update
Another turnover for the the Bobcats. Buffs go nowhere but kick another field goal to up lead to 37-3. Most impressive is that Colorado chooses to let backup QB Sam Noyer get into the game while a smiling Montez watches from the sidelines. It's good to get some reps to the RS freshman Noyer. Also, it's nice to finally have a QB who doesn't have a tizzy-fit on the sidelines if coaches try to take him out.
Buffs 37 - Bobcats 3
Buffs and Bobcats trade possessions to run out the clock. Noyer shows some skills, but also shows some freshman mistakes. Good to get some reps.
Final score: Colorado 37 -- Texas State 3
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
How Do the Power Five Conferences Perform Academically According to the World University Rankings?
How do the Power Five Conferences perform academically?
Football season has begun with a bang, and once again fans from around the country are in heated debate as to which schools and conferences are the best in the land.Of course, most of those debates are centered around football. Especially down in SEC country, where football is much more important than academics.
The World University Rankings were released today and this article will look at where Power Five Conference schools landed on the Top 100 of the charts.
This is a tough ranking because the Power Five schools are competing not only with each other but also other top universities from around the world.
In Grand Countdown Fashion, the list of Power Five Conferences from Worst to First.
#5 -- The Southeastern Conference (SEC) -- ZERO
The SEC landed a big fat ZERO for schools on the "Wonderful One Hundred" list of top universities in the world. The closest to making the Top 100 was Vanderbilt at #105.
#4 -- The Big 12 Conference -- ONE
The Big 12 beat the SEC by one by landing the University of Texas on the Top 100. The Longhorns came in at #49 worldwide.
#3 -- The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) -- FOUR
The ACC landed FOUR schools on the "Wonderful One Hundred" that was released today. Those schools were:
-- #17 - Duke University
-- #33 - Georgia Tech University
-- #56 - North Carolina University
-- #100 - University of Pittsburgh
#2 -- The Pac-12 Conference -- SIX
The Pac-12 landed SIX schools on the Worldwide Top 100, including four on the ultra prestigious Top 25. Those four were more than any other Power 5 conference.
-- #3 - Stanford
-- #15 - UCLA
-- #18 - California
-- #25 - Washington
-- #66 - USC
-- #100 - Colorado (tied with ACC's Pittsburgh)
#1 -- The Big Ten Conference -- TEN
The overall academic excellence award surely goes to the Big Ten, which placed 10 of their conference schools on the Worldwide Top 100. The Pac-12 may have had a few higher up in the rankings, but the Big Ten pounded the rankings like no other conference.
-- #20 - Northwestern
-- #21 - Michigan
-- #37 - Illinois
-- #43 - Wisconsin
-- #56 - Minnesota
-- #60 - Purdue
-- #69 - Maryland
-- #70 - Ohio State
-- #77 - Penn State
-- #83 - Michigan State
The verdict is in and three of the Power Five conferences put a total of 20 schools on the Top 100 worldwide. Those were the Big Ten with 10, the Pac-12 with six, and the ACC with four. The SEC, the self-proclaimed kings of college football had a total of zero.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Looking Forward after Colorado Shackles Colorado State 17-3
Going into the Rocky Mountain Showdown, all the experts talked about the offensive shootout that would dominate the game. They were wrong.
The experts also said the Colorado defense would be the weakest link on the team and that they would have to depend on the high powered Buffs' offense to keep them in the games. Wrong again, on several accounts.
The CU defense, built by Jim Leavitt and Mike MacIntyre, continues to be the heart of the Buffaloes. Colorado State came into the game having averaged 50+ points a game over their last half a dozen games. In the last two RMS games, the Rams have scored a grand total of 10 points compared to the Buffaloes' 61. I guess they don't play D like this in the Mountain West.
CSU fans were riding high after the Rams scored 58 points on Oregon State. But OSU almost lost to Portland State at home in their second game, so maybe the win was not as impressive as it looked.
Some fans are wondering if the Buffs purposely took their foot off the gas after taking a 17 point lead early. The D was dominating the Rams, who never really got going on all cylinders. After all, why give Washington good film on the Colorado offense? The next two games are against teams that are severely over-matched, so the 'Dubs can't really learn anything.
If the Buffs WERE trying to score 50 and nothing in the playbook was off limits, Buff fans deserve to be concerned. A sordid history of questionable play-calling is still fresh in the minds of the Colorado faithful. And little from the play calling on display at the RMS eased that concern.
Oh well. The Colorado Buffaloes are 1-0 and that's all that really matters. They will go into the game with Washington at 3-0. The Huskies also have two "gimmies" coming up and will also arrive in Boulder 3-0. It's fitting that the rematch from last season's Pac-12 Championship game will feature two teams that are undefeated.
Buff fans (and Husky fans) should enjoy the big wins coming their way in the next couple weeks. Both teams will find out a great deal on September 23rd at Folsom Field. By then, either Colorado or Washington will be a game up on a primary division rival, since USC and Stanford play next week.
Go Buffs!
The experts also said the Colorado defense would be the weakest link on the team and that they would have to depend on the high powered Buffs' offense to keep them in the games. Wrong again, on several accounts.
The CU defense, built by Jim Leavitt and Mike MacIntyre, continues to be the heart of the Buffaloes. Colorado State came into the game having averaged 50+ points a game over their last half a dozen games. In the last two RMS games, the Rams have scored a grand total of 10 points compared to the Buffaloes' 61. I guess they don't play D like this in the Mountain West.
CSU fans were riding high after the Rams scored 58 points on Oregon State. But OSU almost lost to Portland State at home in their second game, so maybe the win was not as impressive as it looked.
Some fans are wondering if the Buffs purposely took their foot off the gas after taking a 17 point lead early. The D was dominating the Rams, who never really got going on all cylinders. After all, why give Washington good film on the Colorado offense? The next two games are against teams that are severely over-matched, so the 'Dubs can't really learn anything.
If the Buffs WERE trying to score 50 and nothing in the playbook was off limits, Buff fans deserve to be concerned. A sordid history of questionable play-calling is still fresh in the minds of the Colorado faithful. And little from the play calling on display at the RMS eased that concern.
Oh well. The Colorado Buffaloes are 1-0 and that's all that really matters. They will go into the game with Washington at 3-0. The Huskies also have two "gimmies" coming up and will also arrive in Boulder 3-0. It's fitting that the rematch from last season's Pac-12 Championship game will feature two teams that are undefeated.
Buff fans (and Husky fans) should enjoy the big wins coming their way in the next couple weeks. Both teams will find out a great deal on September 23rd at Folsom Field. By then, either Colorado or Washington will be a game up on a primary division rival, since USC and Stanford play next week.
Go Buffs!
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