In a little over 24 hours, the Colorado Buffaloes will take to Folsom Field in the penultimate game of the 2017 season. A season which started with coaching staff promises of explosive offensive output and dominant offensive line and wide receiver play has instead turned out to be hugely disappointing as the Buffs have struggled to a 4-4 record thus far.
Even if the Buffaloes pull out a win, chances of a second consecutive bowl game are tenuous at best. That's shocking considering that Colorado won 10 games in the regular season last year. Since then, the Buffs have gone 4-6 after getting clobbered in the Pac-12 championship game and their bowl game. That's quite a fall.
Sadly, the head coach more often than not points the blame at his players. It's actually kind of shocking that the guy guaranteed to earn more than $13 MILLION over the next few years whether he stays or not is choosing to blame 18-22 year old kids for the team's shortcomings. It's hard to imagine Eisenhower or Patton blaming the loss of a battle on the privates in the infantry, but that is what MacIntyre does. Of course, Patton and Ike didn't lose many battles.
It stands out even more so this year after Oregon State head coach Gary Andersen walked away from $12 Million owed him because he thought he was under-performing. MacIntyre seems to think he's doing a great job... and that it's just those pesky players who are screwing it all up.
Talk to any sportswriter covering Colorado (or watch a press conference) and it's easy to see that coach Mickey Mac doesn't like to be criticized. Most people don't like to be criticized but MM should know that it comes with the job when you are by far the highest paid state employee.
And although Mac holds criticism of himself in great disdain, it doesn't keep him from publicly criticizing his own players. Who can forget MM saying one of his captains "Didn't know what he was talking about" for daring to point out that the team wasn't ready to play?
And who can forget Mickey Mac having an absolute meltdown on national television against Washington State. Sadly it wasn't even the first time. In 2014, he was fined by the Pac-12 for chasing the officials off the field in a loss to Oregon State. This time, he ignored his own team for several minutes while they had the ball and he was down the sideline frothing at the mouth yelling at the officials.
Already this season, MM has tried to make the case that his team was just a "couple of plays" from being 6-2. That's delusional if he believes it. The closer reality is that the Buffaloes are only a few plays away from being 2-6. Ask any CSU fan.
It's kind of fitting that the game tomorrow is Homecoming. Home is most likely where the team will be spending their holidays this year. Two of the final three games will be played on the road, and USC will be final home game. The Buffaloes have never beaten the Trojans in 11 tries.
It's been suggested that MacIntyre was hoping for another winning season so that he could be hired away by a team from Down South. He doesn't seem to like it here in Shangri-La (aka the Happiest City in America).
If that's indeed the case, he's praying for a couple more victories. Otherwise, he's stuck in Boulder and CU is stuck with him. Nobody wants a coach who follows up a 10 win season and National Coach of the Year awards with unfulfilled promises of glory and a losing season.
Colorado's administration is not about to force out a guy who's owed $13 million, and Mac's not about to walk away empty handed like Gary Andersen. It's purgatory for both sides.
If Colorado does pull out a win, going to a bowl is still a remote possibility. If they lose, however, chances are the team will end the season with only four victories.
Times are desperate for Mike MacIntyre and the Colorado Buffaloes.
Showing posts with label Oregon State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oregon State. Show all posts
Friday, October 27, 2017
Monday, October 9, 2017
Are the Colorado Buffaloes Capable of a Turnaround?
Colorado had a magical season last year. They went from worst to first and played in the Pac-12 Championship game. After a decade of losing records, the 10-2 regular season looked like it represented the long sought rejuvenation of Colorado Buffaloes football.
Unfortunately, looked like and reality are quite often not the same thing. Since that time, the Buffs have gone 3-5, eerily similar to much of the last decade. And if you believe in such things, it's almost as if Mike MacIntyre made a deal with the devil but forgot to ask for something more long-lasting than just wanting to win 10 games. Since then, the devil has been in the details. And the Buffaloes have become a team which loses more often than not once again.
Strangely enough, as if cursed, CU can't seem to get a good complete game from the entire team. For most of the games this year, the D has come through and exceeded expectations. That came to a screeching halt against Arizona as an 18 year old backup quarterback rewrote the NCAA record books against Colorado.
By the same token, an offense that has woefully under-performed this year finally woke up against Arizona. Of course, coming into the game the Wildcats were a lower tier Pac-12 team whose coach was riding a seat that was getting hotter by the game. Still, it was nice to finally see the Buffs finally put some serious points on the board against Pac-12 competition.
Some might ague that Colorado's offensive explosion and game-clock dominance was misleading. Long, time-consuming drives are usually great... unless you already down by two touchdowns and your defense is completely unable to stop the other team. Taking seven minutes and 19 plays to score is great and demoralizing to the other team if you are ahead. When you are behind, all it does is shorten the time available for you to catch up. Colorado may tell themselves that they didn't really lose, but that the clock just ran out on them. Sadly, they were the ones running out the clock for the most part.
The only sadder, more under-performing team in the Pac-12 right now is Oregon State. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the two bottom dwellers meet this week to determine who really is the worst team in the conference. The odds-makers have made the Buffaloes double digit favorites, even though the game will be played in Corvallis. Let's hope they get it right this week.
Another loss for Colorado would lead to an implosion as players start (or finish) checking out emotionally and fans start getting themselves ready for ski and snowboard season. The driving snow outside right now seems to be portending which of those will happen.
The magic of a worst to first season like 2016 can be rendered unimaginable if it is followed by a first to worst season. Even more so if it's a worst-first-worst sandwich. Is it too late? Is Mike MacIntyre willing or able to make drastic changes to shake up his team? We'll see.
But folks should not get overexcited if the Buffaloes win at Oregon State. It's the last game the Buffaloes will be favored in.
Unfortunately, looked like and reality are quite often not the same thing. Since that time, the Buffs have gone 3-5, eerily similar to much of the last decade. And if you believe in such things, it's almost as if Mike MacIntyre made a deal with the devil but forgot to ask for something more long-lasting than just wanting to win 10 games. Since then, the devil has been in the details. And the Buffaloes have become a team which loses more often than not once again.
Strangely enough, as if cursed, CU can't seem to get a good complete game from the entire team. For most of the games this year, the D has come through and exceeded expectations. That came to a screeching halt against Arizona as an 18 year old backup quarterback rewrote the NCAA record books against Colorado.
By the same token, an offense that has woefully under-performed this year finally woke up against Arizona. Of course, coming into the game the Wildcats were a lower tier Pac-12 team whose coach was riding a seat that was getting hotter by the game. Still, it was nice to finally see the Buffs finally put some serious points on the board against Pac-12 competition.
Some might ague that Colorado's offensive explosion and game-clock dominance was misleading. Long, time-consuming drives are usually great... unless you already down by two touchdowns and your defense is completely unable to stop the other team. Taking seven minutes and 19 plays to score is great and demoralizing to the other team if you are ahead. When you are behind, all it does is shorten the time available for you to catch up. Colorado may tell themselves that they didn't really lose, but that the clock just ran out on them. Sadly, they were the ones running out the clock for the most part.
The only sadder, more under-performing team in the Pac-12 right now is Oregon State. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the two bottom dwellers meet this week to determine who really is the worst team in the conference. The odds-makers have made the Buffaloes double digit favorites, even though the game will be played in Corvallis. Let's hope they get it right this week.
Another loss for Colorado would lead to an implosion as players start (or finish) checking out emotionally and fans start getting themselves ready for ski and snowboard season. The driving snow outside right now seems to be portending which of those will happen.
The magic of a worst to first season like 2016 can be rendered unimaginable if it is followed by a first to worst season. Even more so if it's a worst-first-worst sandwich. Is it too late? Is Mike MacIntyre willing or able to make drastic changes to shake up his team? We'll see.
But folks should not get overexcited if the Buffaloes win at Oregon State. It's the last game the Buffaloes will be favored in.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
It's Moment of Truth Time for Mike MacIntyre and the Colorado Buffaloes
Today is the day.
The Sun Devils of Arizona State are in town. The Buffaloes and Devils are tied for first place in the Pac-1 South. ASU is 5-1, while Colorado sits at 4-2. The winner tonight holds on to first place and controls their destiny the rest of the way out.
Something has to give.
ASU has never lost to CU. The Buffaloes have been dominant in the state of Colorado, winning their 3 games by a combined score of 147-20.
The Buffs publicly stated goal this season is to play in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Every team in the conference has the same goal, but for the first time since joining the Pac-12, the Buffs are considered as serious contenders. It makes sense. In their first five years in the league, the Buffaloes never won more than a single conference game in any given year. To make a trip to the title game this year, the Buffaloes will have to win more Pac-12 games than they have won in total in their first five years.
Colorado started well, winning their first two against Oregon and Oregon State.
But then came a hard fought close loss to USC at the Coliseum, another team the Buffs have never beaten. If the Buffs win today, their path to the title game is clearly defined. If the Buffs lose, the chances they win the South are much more difficult, but not impossible. The Buffaloes do not have to play the juggernaut Washington Huskies in the regular season, while USC and Arizona State have to play at UW, and Utah hosts the Huskies.
More importantly, a loss to ASU would force the Buffaloes to travel to Stanford next week with a likelihood of being 4-4 and making ANY bowl game much less secure.
It has been stated over and over in this column that ANY Pac-12 team can beat any other on any given weekend. The coaches in the Conference of Champions are among the best in the country at attacking weaknesses, and ASU's Todd Graham is one of the very best in the Pac-12.
Colorado's Mike MacIntyre and offensive coordinators Darrin Chiaverini and Brian Lindgren did not adjust to USC stacking the box to take away the run until late in the game, and that failure to adjust led to the Buffaloes first conference loss this season.
It's moment of truth time for Mike MacIntyre and the Colorado Buffaloes.
A win defends Folsom Field and keeps the Buffs on track to meet their stated goals. A loss may very well lead them to doubting their ability to win the South. If another loss comes next week, they may start to doubt winning six and going to a bowl game, or settling for a lower tier bowl instead the bigger games that everyone knows and loves.
Make no doubt about it, this game is HUGE for the Buffaloes.
The Sun Devils of Arizona State are in town. The Buffaloes and Devils are tied for first place in the Pac-1 South. ASU is 5-1, while Colorado sits at 4-2. The winner tonight holds on to first place and controls their destiny the rest of the way out.
Something has to give.
ASU has never lost to CU. The Buffaloes have been dominant in the state of Colorado, winning their 3 games by a combined score of 147-20.
The Buffs publicly stated goal this season is to play in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Every team in the conference has the same goal, but for the first time since joining the Pac-12, the Buffs are considered as serious contenders. It makes sense. In their first five years in the league, the Buffaloes never won more than a single conference game in any given year. To make a trip to the title game this year, the Buffaloes will have to win more Pac-12 games than they have won in total in their first five years.
Colorado started well, winning their first two against Oregon and Oregon State.
But then came a hard fought close loss to USC at the Coliseum, another team the Buffs have never beaten. If the Buffs win today, their path to the title game is clearly defined. If the Buffs lose, the chances they win the South are much more difficult, but not impossible. The Buffaloes do not have to play the juggernaut Washington Huskies in the regular season, while USC and Arizona State have to play at UW, and Utah hosts the Huskies.
More importantly, a loss to ASU would force the Buffaloes to travel to Stanford next week with a likelihood of being 4-4 and making ANY bowl game much less secure.
It has been stated over and over in this column that ANY Pac-12 team can beat any other on any given weekend. The coaches in the Conference of Champions are among the best in the country at attacking weaknesses, and ASU's Todd Graham is one of the very best in the Pac-12.
Colorado's Mike MacIntyre and offensive coordinators Darrin Chiaverini and Brian Lindgren did not adjust to USC stacking the box to take away the run until late in the game, and that failure to adjust led to the Buffaloes first conference loss this season.
It's moment of truth time for Mike MacIntyre and the Colorado Buffaloes.
A win defends Folsom Field and keeps the Buffs on track to meet their stated goals. A loss may very well lead them to doubting their ability to win the South. If another loss comes next week, they may start to doubt winning six and going to a bowl game, or settling for a lower tier bowl instead the bigger games that everyone knows and loves.
Make no doubt about it, this game is HUGE for the Buffaloes.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Colorado Posts Largest Conference Winning Margin in 24 Years, Routs Oregon State 47-6 and Takes Over 1st Place in Pac-12 South
The question most Colorado fans had at the beginning of the season is whether the Buffs could finally "turn the corner" in Mike MacIntyre's 4th season at the helm. The question has been answered emphatically the last two weeks with a win on the road at Oregon and a Folsom Field annihilation of Oregon State.
The Buffs have not only turned the corner, they are accelerating out of the curve.
The comparisons between MacIntyre and the great Bill McCartney have been hot and heavy for several years now. The similarities are rather remarkable. McCartney's record after 3 seasons was 7-25-1. MacIntyre's record after 3 was 10-27. McCartney's first three teams won only 4 conference games. MacIntyre's first three won only 2 games against conference foes.
For the first coach Mac, the turnaround came in year four (1985) when the Buffs won 7 games after winning only one the previous year. The job of McCartney was so impressive to his fellow coaches in the Big 8 that he was voted Coach of the Year even though Barry Switzer's Oklahoma Sooner team won the National Championship.
Now, in Mike MacIntyre's 4th season, the Buffs stand at 4-1. More importantly, CU is 2-0 in conference play. What does that mean?
The Colorado Buffaloes will go to bed tonight knowing that they are alone in first place in the Pac-12 South Division.
With Cal's goal-line stand to win against Utah, and USC's throttling of Arizona State, the only team in the South with a perfect conference record is Colorado. To put it in more perspective, the last time the Buffs won consecutive conference games was 2010. This was different, however. The 2010 Buffs lost their first 5 conference games before the two game winning streak. The last time they won two in a row when it mattered was 2005.
Colorado still has seven conference games to play this season. But, none of the teams remaining on the schedule looks unbeatable. USC is 2-3. Arizona State, undefeated coming into today, was exposed as a horribly flawed team.
Even Stanford, a preseason pick to make the national championship playoff, was destroyed against Washington in their worst loss in almost a decade. The Buffs know they can play with anyone in the conference. But, they won't play Washington unless both make it to the Pac-12 Championship game.
But today, right now, the Buffs look like serious contenders to win the Pac-12 South. And Mike MacIntyre looks like a serious threat to win Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Buffs Need to Rage Against the Machine of Self Destruction
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?
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?
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Why Aren't Pac-12 Teams Winning Conference Games at Home?
Cue the music to The Twilight Zone... because something very mysterious is going on this year in Pac-12 football. In a top to bottom conference in which every league game is to tough to win, the one historical advantage that every team banked upon were the all-important "home games."
It's an old adage in college football that if you want to go bowling at the end of the season, the key was to win all your home games and play .500 on the road. By and large, those numbers will give you at least 9 wins year in and year out (unless you play in the SEC, where most of the teams seem to have seven or eight home games every year). Nine wins means a trip for the holidays.
This year, the world of Pac-12 football has turned upside down. Eleven games into conference play, and the home teams have only won TWICE!
And it is NOT because the ranked teams are beating up on the unranked (UR) teams. In fact, there seems to be no rhyme nor reason. Out of those eleven games, these are the numbers:
It's an old adage in college football that if you want to go bowling at the end of the season, the key was to win all your home games and play .500 on the road. By and large, those numbers will give you at least 9 wins year in and year out (unless you play in the SEC, where most of the teams seem to have seven or eight home games every year). Nine wins means a trip for the holidays.
This year, the world of Pac-12 football has turned upside down. Eleven games into conference play, and the home teams have only won TWICE!
And it is NOT because the ranked teams are beating up on the unranked (UR) teams. In fact, there seems to be no rhyme nor reason. Out of those eleven games, these are the numbers:
- UR Stanford beats #6 USC in L.A; 41-31
- #21 Stanford beats UR Oregon State in Corvallis; 42-24
- UR Cal beats UR Washington in Seattle; 30-24
- #9 UCLA beats #16 Arizona in Tucson; 56-30
- #18 Utah beats #13 Oregon in Eugene; 62-20
- #19 USC beats UR Arizona State in Tempe; 42-14
- UR Arizona State beats UCLA in L.A.; 38-23
- UR Oregon beats UR Colorado in Boulder; 41-24
- UR Washington beats #17 USC in L.A.; 17-12
- FIVE UNRANKED teams have won on the road in conference play.
- THREE of those UNRANKED teams have beaten RANKED teams on the road.
- ONE ranked team has beaten a lower ranked team.
- ONE lower ranked team has beaten a higher ranked team.
- Only TWO ranked teams have beaten UNRANKED conference foes on the road.
- Perennial power USC has lost TWICE at home already to UNRANKED Pac-12 teams.
- #24 Cal beats UR Washington State; 34-28
- #18 Stanford beats UR Arizona; 55-17
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Cherish the Wins Over Teams Coming Off 10 Win Seasons, It's What it Takes to Win in the Pac-12
Colorado Buffaloes football fans, especially those who have been around the program for a couple of decades or more, like to think of the Colorado State Rams as "little brother" and that the Buffs should never lose to their in-state rival. Guess what? Little brothers have an annoying habit of growing up and becoming as big and strong as big brother. Colorado State has grown up and is a very strong and physical football team. Make no mistake, CSU is a good football team and will be playing in a bowl at the end of the year.
Lots of fans commenting on articles and blogs have discounted the Buffs' overtime win by saying that a win over CSU doesn't count for much. That's BS to the highest degree. Colorado State won 10 games last year, and has won 18 in the last two years. It took the Buffs the last FOUR YEARS to win a total of 10 games, and the last SIX YEARS to win a total of 18.
Since 2000, the Rams have had FOUR 10-win seasons. The Buffs have had only one. Discounting the victory over a team with 10 wins last year is ludicrous because it has not happened very much to Buffaloes over the last 10 years,
In fact, this win is only one of four. In 2011, the Buffs beat a Utah team which had gone 10-3 in 2010. In 2008, the Buffs took out a West Virginia team which had won 11 games in 2007. And in 2007, the Buffs beat an Oklahoma team which had won 11 games in both 2006 AND 2007. Those are the only four times the Buffs have accomplished the deed in the last 10 years.
One thing all those four games have in common is the very close scores. Two of the victories came by 3 points in overtime, and two came by three points in regulation time.
Why is the 10 win threshold so important? The Buffs still have a lot of those games to play this year. Four of the teams the Buffs play in the Pac-12 this year won at least 10 games last year. Two more won 9 games. They are:
The Buffs only have two teams on their Pac-12 schedule which had losing seasons last year (Washington State at 3-9 and Oregon State at 5-7). Needless to say, those teams are also looking at Colorado as a team on THEIR schedules which had a losing team last year. Those two teams (and CU) are 2-1 so far in 2015.
The Pac-12 enters this weekend with six teams in the Top 21 in the country. Four of them are in the Pac-12 South with the Buffs, and the other two are on the Buffs schedule this year. For the Buffs to meet their goal of a bowl game at the end of the year, they will need to beat one or more of those six ranked teams. To make it even harder, a seventh team on the Buffs schedule (Arizona State) is just outside of the Top 25.
This weekend the Buffs will certainly win their third straight game, and that is a big deal. The last time the Buffs won 3 games in a row was in the 2008 season when they opened with wins over Colorado State, Eastern Washington and West Virginia.
For the Buffs to once again be a team that goes bowling every year, they will need to start having three game win streaks every year and perhaps more than once a year.
The Buffs are finally starting to grow up and believe in themselves. They are developing an attitude that could very well turn into a nasty streak. And a good nasty streak is what is needed these days to be a winning football team in the Pac-12.
Lots of fans commenting on articles and blogs have discounted the Buffs' overtime win by saying that a win over CSU doesn't count for much. That's BS to the highest degree. Colorado State won 10 games last year, and has won 18 in the last two years. It took the Buffs the last FOUR YEARS to win a total of 10 games, and the last SIX YEARS to win a total of 18.
Since 2000, the Rams have had FOUR 10-win seasons. The Buffs have had only one. Discounting the victory over a team with 10 wins last year is ludicrous because it has not happened very much to Buffaloes over the last 10 years,
In fact, this win is only one of four. In 2011, the Buffs beat a Utah team which had gone 10-3 in 2010. In 2008, the Buffs took out a West Virginia team which had won 11 games in 2007. And in 2007, the Buffs beat an Oklahoma team which had won 11 games in both 2006 AND 2007. Those are the only four times the Buffs have accomplished the deed in the last 10 years.
One thing all those four games have in common is the very close scores. Two of the victories came by 3 points in overtime, and two came by three points in regulation time.
Why is the 10 win threshold so important? The Buffs still have a lot of those games to play this year. Four of the teams the Buffs play in the Pac-12 this year won at least 10 games last year. Two more won 9 games. They are:
- Oregon (13-2)
- UCLA (10-3)
- Arizona State (10-3)
- Arizona (10-4)
- Utah (9-4)
- USC (9-4)
The Buffs only have two teams on their Pac-12 schedule which had losing seasons last year (Washington State at 3-9 and Oregon State at 5-7). Needless to say, those teams are also looking at Colorado as a team on THEIR schedules which had a losing team last year. Those two teams (and CU) are 2-1 so far in 2015.
The Pac-12 enters this weekend with six teams in the Top 21 in the country. Four of them are in the Pac-12 South with the Buffs, and the other two are on the Buffs schedule this year. For the Buffs to meet their goal of a bowl game at the end of the year, they will need to beat one or more of those six ranked teams. To make it even harder, a seventh team on the Buffs schedule (Arizona State) is just outside of the Top 25.
This weekend the Buffs will certainly win their third straight game, and that is a big deal. The last time the Buffs won 3 games in a row was in the 2008 season when they opened with wins over Colorado State, Eastern Washington and West Virginia.
For the Buffs to once again be a team that goes bowling every year, they will need to start having three game win streaks every year and perhaps more than once a year.
The Buffs are finally starting to grow up and believe in themselves. They are developing an attitude that could very well turn into a nasty streak. And a good nasty streak is what is needed these days to be a winning football team in the Pac-12.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Colorado Edges Closer in Pac-12 Play, But Falls Once Again
BOULDER--
The University of California Golden Bears find themselves in a very unique situation this week. They are in first place in the Pac-12 North Division. That's right, Cal. Not Oregon. Not Stanford. Not Washington. The California school that's in Berkeley.
Last year, the Bears went 1-11 under first year head coach Sonny Dykes. Colorado's Mike MacIntyre did somewhat better with a 4-8 record. Both Cal and Colorado are MUCH better teams this year than last. The difference so far this year is in the records. Cal is 4-1 while Colorado is just 2-4.
Colorado fans need to realize how little things can make a big difference in winning and losing. Is Cal atop the Pac-12 North because of their stifling defense? Certainly not. In fact, Cal is the only team in the history of college football (and probably pro and high school) to give up a combined 115 points in two games and actually win both those games. Colorado scored 56 on the Bears, and Washington State scored 59 last Saturday, but Cal walked away with three and one point victories.
Does that mean that California is much better than Colorado? Absolutely not. If you JUST look at the records, Cal is a very good team and CU is pretty mediocre. If you look at the reality of what is happening on the field, Colorado is every bit as good as Cal. The difference right now is that Cal has turned the corner and learned to finish games on top.
Colorado is very close to doing the same thing. It's a process. The Buffs have lots of young players and a young offensive coordinator who is still honing his chops at the Pac-12 level. Brian Lindgren has turned the Buffs offense into a group that can puts lots and lots of yards on the opposition. That is good. But he and his unit still go through times of miscommunication, poor play calling, and avoidable turnovers. Unfortunately, those mistakes are often just enough to have the Buffs on the losing end when the game ends.
It will get better. In fact, it is already so much better. Two years ago the Buffs were losing by an average of 32 points a game in conference play. Last year, the number was down to 25 points a game. Although the Buffs actually won one conference game each of the last two years, the overall pattern was the Buffs being smoked early and often when they took the field against Pac-12 opponents.
That is not the case this year. Colorado put up big yards against Arizona State, but a few mistakes kept putting them in the hole and they ended up losing a game by 14 they easily could have won. Against Cal, five breakdowns on defense led to losing a game by three points the Buffs should have won by 20.
Against Oregon State, the Buffs put themselves in a 14 point hole to begin the game. The came back to take the lead, but then had one of those quarters in which the offense could not do anything right. They came back yet again but could not overcome the double digit lead at the end.
Many fans are frustrated that the Buffs are coming up just short this season. They really need to remember how much fun it is to be still in the game when it ends. The Buffs are playing conference foes tough week in and week out for the first time since they joined the Pac-12. After three conference games, the Buffs have twice fallen by 5 points or less. Better yet, the 22 points in deficit in three games is three points less than the average conference score last year.
Look at those numbers again:
Buff fans should enjoy and appreciate how far these Buffs have come from just two short years ago. The Coors Events Center has quickly become the best place to watch college basketball in the Pac-12 over the last three years because of the raucous fans. Wouldn't it be great if CU students and football fans could do the same for Folsom Field?
Large and vocal crowds would do a great deal to push the Buffs around the corner toward becoming a winning program once again. And fans who have been staying away from Folsom should get out there to see the games in person. Pac-12 games are a blast to see from the stands. Many of the best players in the country play in the conference. Get out to see them and support your Buffaloes.
The University of California Golden Bears find themselves in a very unique situation this week. They are in first place in the Pac-12 North Division. That's right, Cal. Not Oregon. Not Stanford. Not Washington. The California school that's in Berkeley.
Last year, the Bears went 1-11 under first year head coach Sonny Dykes. Colorado's Mike MacIntyre did somewhat better with a 4-8 record. Both Cal and Colorado are MUCH better teams this year than last. The difference so far this year is in the records. Cal is 4-1 while Colorado is just 2-4.
Colorado fans need to realize how little things can make a big difference in winning and losing. Is Cal atop the Pac-12 North because of their stifling defense? Certainly not. In fact, Cal is the only team in the history of college football (and probably pro and high school) to give up a combined 115 points in two games and actually win both those games. Colorado scored 56 on the Bears, and Washington State scored 59 last Saturday, but Cal walked away with three and one point victories.
Does that mean that California is much better than Colorado? Absolutely not. If you JUST look at the records, Cal is a very good team and CU is pretty mediocre. If you look at the reality of what is happening on the field, Colorado is every bit as good as Cal. The difference right now is that Cal has turned the corner and learned to finish games on top.
Colorado is very close to doing the same thing. It's a process. The Buffs have lots of young players and a young offensive coordinator who is still honing his chops at the Pac-12 level. Brian Lindgren has turned the Buffs offense into a group that can puts lots and lots of yards on the opposition. That is good. But he and his unit still go through times of miscommunication, poor play calling, and avoidable turnovers. Unfortunately, those mistakes are often just enough to have the Buffs on the losing end when the game ends.
It will get better. In fact, it is already so much better. Two years ago the Buffs were losing by an average of 32 points a game in conference play. Last year, the number was down to 25 points a game. Although the Buffs actually won one conference game each of the last two years, the overall pattern was the Buffs being smoked early and often when they took the field against Pac-12 opponents.
That is not the case this year. Colorado put up big yards against Arizona State, but a few mistakes kept putting them in the hole and they ended up losing a game by 14 they easily could have won. Against Cal, five breakdowns on defense led to losing a game by three points the Buffs should have won by 20.
Against Oregon State, the Buffs put themselves in a 14 point hole to begin the game. The came back to take the lead, but then had one of those quarters in which the offense could not do anything right. They came back yet again but could not overcome the double digit lead at the end.
Many fans are frustrated that the Buffs are coming up just short this season. They really need to remember how much fun it is to be still in the game when it ends. The Buffs are playing conference foes tough week in and week out for the first time since they joined the Pac-12. After three conference games, the Buffs have twice fallen by 5 points or less. Better yet, the 22 points in deficit in three games is three points less than the average conference score last year.
Look at those numbers again:
- 2012 -- outscored in Pac-12 play by an average of 32.
- 2013 -- outscored by 25 on average.
- 2014 -- outscored by 7.3 after three games.
Buff fans should enjoy and appreciate how far these Buffs have come from just two short years ago. The Coors Events Center has quickly become the best place to watch college basketball in the Pac-12 over the last three years because of the raucous fans. Wouldn't it be great if CU students and football fans could do the same for Folsom Field?
Large and vocal crowds would do a great deal to push the Buffs around the corner toward becoming a winning program once again. And fans who have been staying away from Folsom should get out there to see the games in person. Pac-12 games are a blast to see from the stands. Many of the best players in the country play in the conference. Get out to see them and support your Buffaloes.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
It's Time to Remember Just How Young this Colorado Buffaloes Defense Really Is
It's two games into the 2014 CU Buff football season, and fans are starting to panic already. The feeling has even occurred to this writer. We have to remember to breathe.
It's only the 2nd season at the helm for Mike MacIntyre, and fans are already outraged that the team he inherited (the worst team in CU history) is not ready to go bowling. Is that really a surprise?
Buff fans need to remember that so much of the disappointment they feel is in their heads and their heart, and less so with the reality of the playing field. College football is a very interesting dynamic. It is the place where fans watch the growth of high school boys into college men, some of whom do well enough at their sport to move on the NFL.
With very few exceptions, young men fresh out of high school and even in their first few years of college are not ready to be dominant players at the collegiate level. We also have to remember that these young men are STUDENT athletes, who must attend to their scholastic responsibilities as well as their jobs as football players.
In most of the top tier football programs in the Power Five Conferences, a formula that has been in place for decades dictates the development of those high school boys into collegiate level football players. The best case scenario for those programs is as follows for the young men.
In most cases, the key behind a championship caliber team is how they play on the defensive side of the ball. Teams can have all the offensive firepower in the conference or the country and still go down to defeat if their defense cannot keep the opposition out of the end zone.
College offenses are more complex and difficult to read by defensive players than ever before. It's one of the reasons why so many games have scores in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Many offenses these days are designed with the idea that they can score on ANY PLAY. The teams that are content on working the ball down the field are rarer every year.
That being the case, it is more important than ever to have the defense manned by young men who have been learning the collegiate game for at least three years before becoming starters. It's no longer enough to be big and fast. They also need to know how to read the opposing team. Having 4.4 speed doesn't help if you're running in the wrong direction.
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How young is the Colorado Defense compared to their Pac-12 peers? Very young indeed.
A quick look at the defensive depth charts across the Pac-12 shows how many lower classmen are listed as starters.
It's no wonder that the Buffs have a hard time, when a majority of their defensive players have never been given the opportunity to learn the collegiate game with sufficient time.
Think of it like law school. How would it be if a month into your first semester you were being counted on to pass the bar and lead a big case?
Most people would be forgiven if the quality of their case was not the same as someone who spent three years in law school and couple of years interning as law clerks.
The same mindset should be used when dealing with the young Buffs playing defense. It is a testament to the quality of young men that MacIntyre has brought in that they are able to play at the high level they already do.
Fans should remember that they are only going to get better. In fact, in two more years, when the depth chart is rightly dominated by juniors and seniors, the quality of play from Colorado defense will seem like a night and day difference.
It won't be because they are smarter or more dedicated or faster. It will be because their brains have been given the opportunity to learn the craft of playing major college football. And, on top of that, many of them will have lots of game experience to go on as well.
The biggest weakness of the Colorado Buffaloes defense is youth, inexperience, and immaturity. Opposing Pac-12 coaches will do their very best to exploit that weakness while they can, because the time is coming when Colorado will be on a level playing field when it comes to the age and experience of their starters.
That one step in the wrong direction this season that leads to a first down or touchdown for the opponent, will soon be a step toward a sack, an interception or a big tackle for no gain. Now is the time to watch them learn and get better as they go. If we want to watch professionals play, the Denver Broncos are just down the road.
It's only the 2nd season at the helm for Mike MacIntyre, and fans are already outraged that the team he inherited (the worst team in CU history) is not ready to go bowling. Is that really a surprise?
Buff fans need to remember that so much of the disappointment they feel is in their heads and their heart, and less so with the reality of the playing field. College football is a very interesting dynamic. It is the place where fans watch the growth of high school boys into college men, some of whom do well enough at their sport to move on the NFL.
With very few exceptions, young men fresh out of high school and even in their first few years of college are not ready to be dominant players at the collegiate level. We also have to remember that these young men are STUDENT athletes, who must attend to their scholastic responsibilities as well as their jobs as football players.
In most of the top tier football programs in the Power Five Conferences, a formula that has been in place for decades dictates the development of those high school boys into collegiate level football players. The best case scenario for those programs is as follows for the young men.
- Freshman Year -- Redshirt, grow their bodies, and acclimate to college life away from home.
- Redshirt Freshman Year -- Work with the scout team, grow their bodies, become better acquainted with "system" their coaches operate.
- Sophomore Year -- Grow their bodies and begin to learn from the upper classmen the nuances of collegiate football, and how to read opposing teams.
- Junior Year -- Learn, grow bodies and compete for playing time.
- Senior Year -- Be counted upon as a major contributor to the team on the field and in the locker room.
In most cases, the key behind a championship caliber team is how they play on the defensive side of the ball. Teams can have all the offensive firepower in the conference or the country and still go down to defeat if their defense cannot keep the opposition out of the end zone.
College offenses are more complex and difficult to read by defensive players than ever before. It's one of the reasons why so many games have scores in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Many offenses these days are designed with the idea that they can score on ANY PLAY. The teams that are content on working the ball down the field are rarer every year.
That being the case, it is more important than ever to have the defense manned by young men who have been learning the collegiate game for at least three years before becoming starters. It's no longer enough to be big and fast. They also need to know how to read the opposing team. Having 4.4 speed doesn't help if you're running in the wrong direction.
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How young is the Colorado Defense compared to their Pac-12 peers? Very young indeed.
A quick look at the defensive depth charts across the Pac-12 shows how many lower classmen are listed as starters.
- Arizona (4)
- Arizona State (4)
- California (4)
- Colorado (6)
- Oregon (1)
- Oregon State (0)
- Stanford (0)
- UCLA (3)
- USC (2)
- Utah (5)
- Washington (3)
- Washington State (3)
It's no wonder that the Buffs have a hard time, when a majority of their defensive players have never been given the opportunity to learn the collegiate game with sufficient time.
Think of it like law school. How would it be if a month into your first semester you were being counted on to pass the bar and lead a big case?
Most people would be forgiven if the quality of their case was not the same as someone who spent three years in law school and couple of years interning as law clerks.
The same mindset should be used when dealing with the young Buffs playing defense. It is a testament to the quality of young men that MacIntyre has brought in that they are able to play at the high level they already do.
Fans should remember that they are only going to get better. In fact, in two more years, when the depth chart is rightly dominated by juniors and seniors, the quality of play from Colorado defense will seem like a night and day difference.
It won't be because they are smarter or more dedicated or faster. It will be because their brains have been given the opportunity to learn the craft of playing major college football. And, on top of that, many of them will have lots of game experience to go on as well.
The biggest weakness of the Colorado Buffaloes defense is youth, inexperience, and immaturity. Opposing Pac-12 coaches will do their very best to exploit that weakness while they can, because the time is coming when Colorado will be on a level playing field when it comes to the age and experience of their starters.
That one step in the wrong direction this season that leads to a first down or touchdown for the opponent, will soon be a step toward a sack, an interception or a big tackle for no gain. Now is the time to watch them learn and get better as they go. If we want to watch professionals play, the Denver Broncos are just down the road.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Colorado Quarteback Sefo Liufau's Fine Ability to Convert on 3rd Downs A Key to the Buffs' Second Half
If 3rd down conversions are the key to an offense's ability to hold onto the ball and keep opposing teams from getting their hands on the pigskin, then Mike MacIntyre's decision to promote Sefo Liufau to starting quarterback may very well be one of the best decisions he has made this year.
If one goes back and looks at the stats to the two games against Oregon State and Oregon, one sees that the Buffs converted only 2 of 15 third downs against the Beavers in Corvallis and converted 0 of 15 against the Ducks. Before Sefo Liufau entered the game in Tempe against Arizona State, the Buffs were 0 for 3 against the Sun Devils. That means that before Liufau entered the game, the CU Buffs had converted only 2 of their prior 33 third downs. It doesn't take a PhD in statistics to know that those kinds of numbers would make it difficult for any team to win.
How did Sefo do when thrust into the spotlight when his team was already trailing by 25 points? All things considered, he did marvellous. Liufau consistently led Colorado down the field. He did throw two interceptions and fumbled a snap, leading to more scores by the ASU, but he was extremely efficient at converting 3rd downs into first downs or better.
How good was he at converting? Seven of 10 (70%) of CU's third down tries with Liufau at the helm ended with either a first down or a touchdown. That not only kept the Sun Devil offense off the field, but also managed to give the Buff defense a rest. Rest for the defense has been in short supply since kickoff at Oregon State.
If Colorado and Liufau can drastically cut turnovers and continue to convert 3rd downs at a high rate, the Buffs could literally turn their season around on a dime.
The 1989 Buffs ended the regular season undefeated and played for the national championship against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. That team dominated almost every team they played that year. For the season, that great team converted 53.9% of their 3rd downs. The 1990 team which won the national championship (also against ND) converted 48.9% of their 3rd downs. The 1994 team which featured Heisman Trophy Winner Rashaan Salaam and a plethora of NFL draft picks converted 43.8% of their 3rd downs.
Make no mistake, the ability to hold onto the ball when facing 3rd down is an extremely important statistic. In the first two games of this year, Colorado converted 40% of their 3rd downs and won both games. In the games where the rate of conversion dropped into the single digits, the Buffs were blown out.
The game against undefeated Charleston Southern this week will give Liufau the chance to lead the Buffs from the opening kick. If they convert at over 50% on third down (and win the turnover battle) the team will walk off Folsom Field with a huge win.
The Buff defense under Kent Baer has been much maligned the last three weeks, but it must be remembered that the Colorado offense did nothing with any consistency during that same time. There were a few big plays, of course, but the Buffs failed miserably to hold onto the ball for any length of time. If Sefo Liufau can help the CU offense control the ball and the clock in the upcoming games, the Colorado defense will almost magically get much better.
Football is a game that is fueled by emotion. Nothing fires up the defense like watching from the sideline as their teammates on offense control the ball and the clock and drive for a touchdown. On the other hand, nothing does more to dishearten a defense than watching their offense go three and out over and over again. Or turning over the ball.
If Colorado can turn those two things around and do it on a weekly basis, they will immediately become competitive once again for the first time in many years.
If one goes back and looks at the stats to the two games against Oregon State and Oregon, one sees that the Buffs converted only 2 of 15 third downs against the Beavers in Corvallis and converted 0 of 15 against the Ducks. Before Sefo Liufau entered the game in Tempe against Arizona State, the Buffs were 0 for 3 against the Sun Devils. That means that before Liufau entered the game, the CU Buffs had converted only 2 of their prior 33 third downs. It doesn't take a PhD in statistics to know that those kinds of numbers would make it difficult for any team to win.
How did Sefo do when thrust into the spotlight when his team was already trailing by 25 points? All things considered, he did marvellous. Liufau consistently led Colorado down the field. He did throw two interceptions and fumbled a snap, leading to more scores by the ASU, but he was extremely efficient at converting 3rd downs into first downs or better.
How good was he at converting? Seven of 10 (70%) of CU's third down tries with Liufau at the helm ended with either a first down or a touchdown. That not only kept the Sun Devil offense off the field, but also managed to give the Buff defense a rest. Rest for the defense has been in short supply since kickoff at Oregon State.
If Colorado and Liufau can drastically cut turnovers and continue to convert 3rd downs at a high rate, the Buffs could literally turn their season around on a dime.
The 1989 Buffs ended the regular season undefeated and played for the national championship against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. That team dominated almost every team they played that year. For the season, that great team converted 53.9% of their 3rd downs. The 1990 team which won the national championship (also against ND) converted 48.9% of their 3rd downs. The 1994 team which featured Heisman Trophy Winner Rashaan Salaam and a plethora of NFL draft picks converted 43.8% of their 3rd downs.
Make no mistake, the ability to hold onto the ball when facing 3rd down is an extremely important statistic. In the first two games of this year, Colorado converted 40% of their 3rd downs and won both games. In the games where the rate of conversion dropped into the single digits, the Buffs were blown out.
The game against undefeated Charleston Southern this week will give Liufau the chance to lead the Buffs from the opening kick. If they convert at over 50% on third down (and win the turnover battle) the team will walk off Folsom Field with a huge win.
The Buff defense under Kent Baer has been much maligned the last three weeks, but it must be remembered that the Colorado offense did nothing with any consistency during that same time. There were a few big plays, of course, but the Buffs failed miserably to hold onto the ball for any length of time. If Sefo Liufau can help the CU offense control the ball and the clock in the upcoming games, the Colorado defense will almost magically get much better.
Football is a game that is fueled by emotion. Nothing fires up the defense like watching from the sideline as their teammates on offense control the ball and the clock and drive for a touchdown. On the other hand, nothing does more to dishearten a defense than watching their offense go three and out over and over again. Or turning over the ball.
If Colorado can turn those two things around and do it on a weekly basis, they will immediately become competitive once again for the first time in many years.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Sefo Liufau Takes Over as Quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, Ushers in New Youth Era in Boulder
Less than 4 1/4 games into his freshman season at the University of Colorado, Sefo Liufau found himself taking over at quarterback for the Buffaloes. Despite entering the game with a 25 point deficit, and facing a fired up Arizona State team that was dominating the Colorado offensive line, Sefo never blinked and ended up completing 69% (18 of 26) of his passes. He threw one touchdown pass and two interceptions.
Although Liufau was listed 2nd on the depth chart behind Connor Wood, the line from the coaching staff was that they planned to redshirt the young man out of Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma, Washington if at all possible to allow him to acclimate to university life and grow and learn on the football field.
All was going according to plan during the first two games of the season. Wood completed 68% of his passes for 741 yards and 6 touchdowns in those two games. Wood threw only two interceptions during those games and the Buffs started the season with two wins.
Excitement was high in the Buffs program since new coach Mike MacIntyre had led the team to more wins in his first two games than the Buffs had experienced all of last year under fired coach Jon Embree. Riding high, the Buffs worked hard during a bye week and then the 1,000 year rains came to Boulder and Colorado and brought devastating floods. The result was that their game with Fresno State was ultimately cancelled.
After two long weekends away from being in live game situations, the Buffs headed to Corvallis to face Oregon State and had their dreams of a 3-0 start blown up and away by the winds and the Beavers. After flying high to start the season, the Buffs came crashing back to earth in a 44-17 beatdown.
The next week the #2 Oregon Ducks came to Boulder and showed why they are favored to be in the national championship game at the end of the season. The 57-16 whipping given by the Ducks was shocking in how quickly it happened after they fell behind the Buffs 10-8 in the first quarter. The responded with three touchdowns before the quarter ended and never looked back.
The first quarter against Arizona State in Tempe started the same way and before the Buffs could catch their breath in the desert they were behind by a score of 25-0. Out came Connor Wood and in came Sefo.
Unlike the first two games, the stats for Connor Wood against the Oregon schools and ASU were less than gaudy or even acceptable. He completed only 25 of 71 passes (35%) for only 351 yards and had 5 interceptions vs. 2 touchdowns. After Wood started 0 for 4 for zero yards and an interception and fumble and a 25 point deficit against the Sun Devils, MacIntyre pulled the starting quarterback position from Wood and the redshirt for Liufau.
Perhaps it was the play of some fellow freshman that led MacIntyre to allow Liufau to come off the bench. Addison Gillam went into the ASU game leading the Pac-12 in tackles and has already proven himself a star in the conference. Tailback Michael Adkins now gets more carries than listed starter Christian Powell. Wideout Devin Ross is now returning kicks and playing regularly with the offense. Defensive backs Chidobe Awuzie and Tedric Thompson are also finding themselves on the field with greater and greater frequency.
After Liufau's effort, MacIntyre announced that the new plan was to allow Sefo to start for the remainder of the season ("unless something happens" of course). That means that he will be working with the number one offense during practice and getting many more reps, which can only help his game and confidence.
His first start will be at home in Boulder against undefeated FCS team Charleston Southern, who agreed to come to Boulder to replace the lost game against Fresno State. After facing an aggressive ASU team, the game against CS should allow Sefo a little more time to think on his feet as he moves into his new starting quarterback role.
One thing Buff fans and coaches can look forward to is increased athleticism at the quarterback position with Liufau. On top of the high percentage of passes that Liufau completed in Tempe, he also showed a much nicer touch on short passes than Wood has shown this year. He also seems to have some live legs that will allow him to move in the pocket or run more effectively than Wood.
Will Sefo make some rookie mistakes? Of course he will, but it is all part of the learning process. Those of us old enough to remember when Darian Hagan came to CU know that it can take some time to harness great talent and get it moving in the right direction. Liufau clearly has the talent to be the next great quarterback at CU, but he has to be given the chance to get his time in and be able to compete from the opening kickoff week after week.
In a season which now looks to part of a rebuilding process, watching Sefo Liufau and some his fellow freshman grow and mature as players will give fans a peak into the future. Perhaps fans of the Buffs got spoiled by two wins to start the season and got our hopes up higher than they should be. But in retrospect, the condition of the program was horrible when MacIntyre and his staff showed up. It is much better than it was, and it will continue to improve.
The Pac-12 is a tough conference to play in (just ask Stanford after their trip to Utah). At this point in the process, the Buffs need to show improvement. The wins will be hard to come by, but they will come in time. Look at Mac's record at San Jose State. His teams struggled to win until turning the corner, and then they won at an amazing rate.
The nature of college football is much more aggressive than in years past. It used to be that teams tried to wear each other down, and now it seems like there are a lot of teams that are swinging for the fences on every down. It is certainly exciting, but sometimes it is hard to watch when the other team is dominating. All it takes is a half dozen breakdowns by some defensive players and good teams will score 50 on them. These fastbreak offenses are designed to take advantage of mistakes.
A great deal of football is psychological. Mac and his staff are working on these guys, but it's gonna take some time to get their heads right. It will be frustrating while we wait, but a whole lot of fun when it happens. Let's hope that Sefo Liufau is an important part of solving this puzzle.
Go Buffs!
Although Liufau was listed 2nd on the depth chart behind Connor Wood, the line from the coaching staff was that they planned to redshirt the young man out of Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma, Washington if at all possible to allow him to acclimate to university life and grow and learn on the football field.
All was going according to plan during the first two games of the season. Wood completed 68% of his passes for 741 yards and 6 touchdowns in those two games. Wood threw only two interceptions during those games and the Buffs started the season with two wins.
Excitement was high in the Buffs program since new coach Mike MacIntyre had led the team to more wins in his first two games than the Buffs had experienced all of last year under fired coach Jon Embree. Riding high, the Buffs worked hard during a bye week and then the 1,000 year rains came to Boulder and Colorado and brought devastating floods. The result was that their game with Fresno State was ultimately cancelled.
After two long weekends away from being in live game situations, the Buffs headed to Corvallis to face Oregon State and had their dreams of a 3-0 start blown up and away by the winds and the Beavers. After flying high to start the season, the Buffs came crashing back to earth in a 44-17 beatdown.
The next week the #2 Oregon Ducks came to Boulder and showed why they are favored to be in the national championship game at the end of the season. The 57-16 whipping given by the Ducks was shocking in how quickly it happened after they fell behind the Buffs 10-8 in the first quarter. The responded with three touchdowns before the quarter ended and never looked back.
The first quarter against Arizona State in Tempe started the same way and before the Buffs could catch their breath in the desert they were behind by a score of 25-0. Out came Connor Wood and in came Sefo.
Unlike the first two games, the stats for Connor Wood against the Oregon schools and ASU were less than gaudy or even acceptable. He completed only 25 of 71 passes (35%) for only 351 yards and had 5 interceptions vs. 2 touchdowns. After Wood started 0 for 4 for zero yards and an interception and fumble and a 25 point deficit against the Sun Devils, MacIntyre pulled the starting quarterback position from Wood and the redshirt for Liufau.
Perhaps it was the play of some fellow freshman that led MacIntyre to allow Liufau to come off the bench. Addison Gillam went into the ASU game leading the Pac-12 in tackles and has already proven himself a star in the conference. Tailback Michael Adkins now gets more carries than listed starter Christian Powell. Wideout Devin Ross is now returning kicks and playing regularly with the offense. Defensive backs Chidobe Awuzie and Tedric Thompson are also finding themselves on the field with greater and greater frequency.
After Liufau's effort, MacIntyre announced that the new plan was to allow Sefo to start for the remainder of the season ("unless something happens" of course). That means that he will be working with the number one offense during practice and getting many more reps, which can only help his game and confidence.
His first start will be at home in Boulder against undefeated FCS team Charleston Southern, who agreed to come to Boulder to replace the lost game against Fresno State. After facing an aggressive ASU team, the game against CS should allow Sefo a little more time to think on his feet as he moves into his new starting quarterback role.
One thing Buff fans and coaches can look forward to is increased athleticism at the quarterback position with Liufau. On top of the high percentage of passes that Liufau completed in Tempe, he also showed a much nicer touch on short passes than Wood has shown this year. He also seems to have some live legs that will allow him to move in the pocket or run more effectively than Wood.
Will Sefo make some rookie mistakes? Of course he will, but it is all part of the learning process. Those of us old enough to remember when Darian Hagan came to CU know that it can take some time to harness great talent and get it moving in the right direction. Liufau clearly has the talent to be the next great quarterback at CU, but he has to be given the chance to get his time in and be able to compete from the opening kickoff week after week.
In a season which now looks to part of a rebuilding process, watching Sefo Liufau and some his fellow freshman grow and mature as players will give fans a peak into the future. Perhaps fans of the Buffs got spoiled by two wins to start the season and got our hopes up higher than they should be. But in retrospect, the condition of the program was horrible when MacIntyre and his staff showed up. It is much better than it was, and it will continue to improve.
The Pac-12 is a tough conference to play in (just ask Stanford after their trip to Utah). At this point in the process, the Buffs need to show improvement. The wins will be hard to come by, but they will come in time. Look at Mac's record at San Jose State. His teams struggled to win until turning the corner, and then they won at an amazing rate.
The nature of college football is much more aggressive than in years past. It used to be that teams tried to wear each other down, and now it seems like there are a lot of teams that are swinging for the fences on every down. It is certainly exciting, but sometimes it is hard to watch when the other team is dominating. All it takes is a half dozen breakdowns by some defensive players and good teams will score 50 on them. These fastbreak offenses are designed to take advantage of mistakes.
A great deal of football is psychological. Mac and his staff are working on these guys, but it's gonna take some time to get their heads right. It will be frustrating while we wait, but a whole lot of fun when it happens. Let's hope that Sefo Liufau is an important part of solving this puzzle.
Go Buffs!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Colorado Buff Football: It's Time for Mike MacIntyre to Live Up to his Values
When Mike MacIntyre was hired last December to take over the program from the fired Jon Embree, he came into Boulder and said all the right things. He spoke of "values" and their importance. He brought with him his dedication to the 4-F's (Foundation, Family, Future, and Football).
With a full off-season, spring, and summer to work with, MacIntyre preached tirelessly of the importance of "WE" over the individual. He spoke of togetherness and making the team into a family. He said the right things and started his young charges toward the path of becoming a truly close-knit team.
After starting the season 2-0, the love and the commitment to "WE" was growing around the CU campus. Then came the flood and the three week break before the next game after the home tilt against Fresno State was postponed. This allowed the good feelings to go on for an extra 3 weeks...
Then came the game in Corvallis against Oregon State and a 44-17 loss.
On a very windy (40-50 mph) day, neither MacIntyre nor the offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren had the intellectual wherewithal to adjust their offensive game plan to account for the wind. The Oregon State coaching staff adjusted, but the Buff coaches proved themselves incapable.
When they should have focused on short passes directly into the wind (and the longer ones when the wind was at their back), the OC continued to call for long out passes to the sidelines. This rendered Paul Richardson nearly useless, and made Connor Wood look horrible.
The play calling was so bad that the Buffs really had no chance. After starting out strong, the Buff defense tired of fighting an unwinnable battle. They did not give up, like in years past, but they certainly reflected the futility of their efforts. You could see it in their faces that unless their coaches themselves made the adjustment to the game conditions, that there was no possibility of developing an offensive flow.
If you are playing basketball outside when the wind is blowing 40+ mph, you take it the hoop and try to get layups or short shots. You do NOT continue to launch 3 pointers and wonder why the ball ends up 6 feet away from the rim.
Lindgren's play calling was the same as launching 3 pointers in the wind.
It is simple physics and aerodynamics. The shape of a football is designed for the nose of the ball to cut through the air. When strong wind blows on the side of the ball it is quickly disrupted. Maybe Lindgren and Mac should take a science class that will explain this to them.
After about three passes, Lindgren should have changed his play calling strategy. When he didn't, Mac should have changed it for him. When neither did anything, the offense was doomed to failure. In effect, the game was lost long before the final seconds ticked off.
The loss was not the most bothersome thing that happened in Corvallis, however. Most Buff fans have been used to losses for quite a few years now. No, the biggest issue this writer saw was when the coaches talked to the press afterwards.
Like magic, the dedication to "WE" quickly disappeared. All of a sudden, Mac's players were now "THEY," and "They did not do their jobs!" This is bullshit. Football players are often compared to soldiers, and like soldiers they look horrible under bad planning and orders from the officers. The result of this game came from officers (coaches) who froze under fire in adverse conditions. Period. Many of the players were simply "running for cover" after their coaches froze up.
Is it really VALUES? Or is it just advertising?
The test of one's values are NOT when things are going well. The real test comes when things get bad. Based on CU's first loss and his response after the game, Coach Mac deserves an "F" for failing to reflect the values that he claims to hold so dear.
When you get paid millions of dollars a year to lead a group of college kids playing a game, failure on the field should be followed with a big "I" when meeting with the press after the game.
You know, as in "I did not do my very well paid job correctly. My fellow coaches and myself were not prepared, and did not adjust to game-time conditions. We let our players and our university down and we vow not to let it happen again."
Mac and his staff have five days to learn how to address a post game press conference after a loss. It's a month into the season, and Oregon is arguably the best team in the country. A win by Colorado would go down as one of the biggest upsets in college football history.
The CU coaches need to emphasize to themselves the importance of acting like grown men when the game is over. If they cannot do it, how can they expect it from their players?
I knew the end was near for Gary Barnett when he started blaming his players. The same went for Hawkins and Embree. I certainly hoped that it would take longer than 3 games for that crap to come out of the mouth of MacIntyre.
The Buck Stops Here!
Harry Truman used to have a sign on his desk that read "The Buck Stops Here!" It was meant to indicate that HE was responsible for everything under his command. No underling would be blamed for the shortcomings of this president.
By contrast, a popular phrase over the last couple of decades comes courtesy of the cartoon character Bart Simpson when he exclaims "I didn't do it!" when something goes wrong. Unlike Truman, Bart is "passing the buck!"
Saturday and a date with Oregon is close at hand. Coach MacIntyre needs to decide and share with his coaches and his players and the Colorado Buff community the answer to one simple question:
Is MAC a LEADER or a cartoon character?
Check back each Saturday to find out.
Last week he left his players dangling in the wind, both on the field and in the post-game press conference. His angry "deer in the headlights" can be forgiven on the field. Some folks don't respond well under stress, but they can LEARN to respond better in the future.
It is much harder to UNLEARN the habit of blaming others for your mistakes.
*************************************************************
Those who have read my other blog posts know I have been a very strong supporter of Coach MacIntyre and his staff. It pained me greatly to watch him flee from his supposed values after the Oregon State game. Leaders sometimes make great mistakes, but great leaders learn from those mistakes. My hope is that MacIntyre finally recognizes his mistake and learns from it. If not, I hope it is NEVER windy again when he is coaching.
With a full off-season, spring, and summer to work with, MacIntyre preached tirelessly of the importance of "WE" over the individual. He spoke of togetherness and making the team into a family. He said the right things and started his young charges toward the path of becoming a truly close-knit team.
After starting the season 2-0, the love and the commitment to "WE" was growing around the CU campus. Then came the flood and the three week break before the next game after the home tilt against Fresno State was postponed. This allowed the good feelings to go on for an extra 3 weeks...
Then came the game in Corvallis against Oregon State and a 44-17 loss.
On a very windy (40-50 mph) day, neither MacIntyre nor the offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren had the intellectual wherewithal to adjust their offensive game plan to account for the wind. The Oregon State coaching staff adjusted, but the Buff coaches proved themselves incapable.
When they should have focused on short passes directly into the wind (and the longer ones when the wind was at their back), the OC continued to call for long out passes to the sidelines. This rendered Paul Richardson nearly useless, and made Connor Wood look horrible.
The play calling was so bad that the Buffs really had no chance. After starting out strong, the Buff defense tired of fighting an unwinnable battle. They did not give up, like in years past, but they certainly reflected the futility of their efforts. You could see it in their faces that unless their coaches themselves made the adjustment to the game conditions, that there was no possibility of developing an offensive flow.
If you are playing basketball outside when the wind is blowing 40+ mph, you take it the hoop and try to get layups or short shots. You do NOT continue to launch 3 pointers and wonder why the ball ends up 6 feet away from the rim.
Lindgren's play calling was the same as launching 3 pointers in the wind.
It is simple physics and aerodynamics. The shape of a football is designed for the nose of the ball to cut through the air. When strong wind blows on the side of the ball it is quickly disrupted. Maybe Lindgren and Mac should take a science class that will explain this to them.
After about three passes, Lindgren should have changed his play calling strategy. When he didn't, Mac should have changed it for him. When neither did anything, the offense was doomed to failure. In effect, the game was lost long before the final seconds ticked off.
The loss was not the most bothersome thing that happened in Corvallis, however. Most Buff fans have been used to losses for quite a few years now. No, the biggest issue this writer saw was when the coaches talked to the press afterwards.
Like magic, the dedication to "WE" quickly disappeared. All of a sudden, Mac's players were now "THEY," and "They did not do their jobs!" This is bullshit. Football players are often compared to soldiers, and like soldiers they look horrible under bad planning and orders from the officers. The result of this game came from officers (coaches) who froze under fire in adverse conditions. Period. Many of the players were simply "running for cover" after their coaches froze up.
Is it really VALUES? Or is it just advertising?
The test of one's values are NOT when things are going well. The real test comes when things get bad. Based on CU's first loss and his response after the game, Coach Mac deserves an "F" for failing to reflect the values that he claims to hold so dear.
When you get paid millions of dollars a year to lead a group of college kids playing a game, failure on the field should be followed with a big "I" when meeting with the press after the game.
You know, as in "I did not do my very well paid job correctly. My fellow coaches and myself were not prepared, and did not adjust to game-time conditions. We let our players and our university down and we vow not to let it happen again."
Mac and his staff have five days to learn how to address a post game press conference after a loss. It's a month into the season, and Oregon is arguably the best team in the country. A win by Colorado would go down as one of the biggest upsets in college football history.
The CU coaches need to emphasize to themselves the importance of acting like grown men when the game is over. If they cannot do it, how can they expect it from their players?
I knew the end was near for Gary Barnett when he started blaming his players. The same went for Hawkins and Embree. I certainly hoped that it would take longer than 3 games for that crap to come out of the mouth of MacIntyre.
The Buck Stops Here!
Harry Truman used to have a sign on his desk that read "The Buck Stops Here!" It was meant to indicate that HE was responsible for everything under his command. No underling would be blamed for the shortcomings of this president.
By contrast, a popular phrase over the last couple of decades comes courtesy of the cartoon character Bart Simpson when he exclaims "I didn't do it!" when something goes wrong. Unlike Truman, Bart is "passing the buck!"
Saturday and a date with Oregon is close at hand. Coach MacIntyre needs to decide and share with his coaches and his players and the Colorado Buff community the answer to one simple question:
Is MAC a LEADER or a cartoon character?
Check back each Saturday to find out.
Last week he left his players dangling in the wind, both on the field and in the post-game press conference. His angry "deer in the headlights" can be forgiven on the field. Some folks don't respond well under stress, but they can LEARN to respond better in the future.
It is much harder to UNLEARN the habit of blaming others for your mistakes.
*************************************************************
Those who have read my other blog posts know I have been a very strong supporter of Coach MacIntyre and his staff. It pained me greatly to watch him flee from his supposed values after the Oregon State game. Leaders sometimes make great mistakes, but great leaders learn from those mistakes. My hope is that MacIntyre finally recognizes his mistake and learns from it. If not, I hope it is NEVER windy again when he is coaching.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Mike MacIntyre's CU Buffs Didn't Have a Chance in Corvallis... and it was NOT because of the players
When Brian Lindgren and Mike MacIntyre look at themselves in the mirror today, they will be looking upon the main reason their team wasted a huge opportunity in their 44-17 loss to Oregon State. When the rest of the coaching staff looks in the mirror, they should know that they had the chance to change what was happening... but nothing was done to alter the outcome.
The reason the Buffs were given no chance by their coaches is blindingly simple. Yet, even a day later, what I see out of this staff is a collective head scratching and a muttering of idiotic catchphrases like "we have to look at the tape" to breakdown what went wrong. Let me save you guys a little time...
The defensive line was harassing Sean Mannion and putting him on the ground. Linebacker Addison Gillam was again all over the field. DB Greg Henderson once again showed he is a ball hawk of the highest order.
Unfortunately, you could see the frustration begin to set in as the defensive players seem to realize that no matter how much opportunity they gave the Buffs' offense, the play calling of Brian Lindgren effectively doomed any chance that Connor Wood and the offense had to build a rhythm of success.
In hindsight, it could be reasonably argued that anything positive created by the offense was sheer dumb luck. By the end of the second quarter, the defense realized that fact and it took a bit of the wind out of their sails. On top of that, the OSU offensive coordinator adjusted HIS play calling to account for the wind.
MacIntyre's Buffs would be better served by a scarecrow with these simple points taped to his chest:
One of the morals to the story is that things change. The application of that thought for the Buff coaches must be that they HAVE to be aware that playing conditions strongly influence what can and will work and what will NOT.
At playing time, the temperature in Green Bay was 15 degrees BELOW zero. The wind chill was nearly 50 degrees below zero. Every football coach should be able to talk about the adjustments that had to be made by both players and coaches in that famous game.
The game winning touchdown was scored on fourth down near the end of the game when quarterback Bart Starr followed his guard Jerry Kramer into the endzone on a quarterback sneak. Later, when asked by the media why the Packers did not simply kick a field goal to send the game into overtime instead of risking a loss by going for it on 4th down, Lombardi said it was "too cold" to take the game into overtime. Kramer later immortalized the game and play in his book "Instant Replay" with Dick Schaap.
The game against Oregon State in Corvallis was one of those moments in which reality punched the CU coaches in the face. It was not the Beavers who did the punching. It was not Sean Mannion. It was the WIND. And Brian Lindgren and Mike MacIntyre were knocked stupid by it.
Let's hope that in the future, Mr. Lindgren doesn't have such a hard time figuring out which way the wind is blowing.
The reason the Buffs were given no chance by their coaches is blindingly simple. Yet, even a day later, what I see out of this staff is a collective head scratching and a muttering of idiotic catchphrases like "we have to look at the tape" to breakdown what went wrong. Let me save you guys a little time...
It's the Wind, Stupid!
Bill Clinton election theme in 1992 was "It's the economy, stupid!" and it poked fun at the economic policies of George Bush. It's an apt analogy here that the CU coaching staff should think about when looking at the tape of the game.- When you look at the tape, look at MacIntyre's hair blowing sideways off his head due to the 40+ mph winds blowing through Reser Stadium.
- Look at the first half as OC Brian Lindgren repeatedly calls long out passes across the wind that had LITTLE chance for success.
- Hell, watch the halftime report from the Pac-12 network. Rick Neuheisel and company pointed out the obvious by stating the wind was too strong to throw the ball "outside the numbers."
- Despite the weather, Lindgren ordered the Buffs to piss and spit over and over and over again into the wind.
- MacIntyre stood by and let it happen, and both now seem dumbfounded by the fact that their offensive players ended up with piss and spit all over themselves.
Kent Baer's Defense was Ready to Play.
Watch the first half of the game, and you come away mightily impressed with the game plan put together by DC Kent Baer and the other defensive coaches. The mighty OSU offense struggled to move the ball or convert on third down. Even when catches were made, the Buffs were almost always providing excellent coverage.The defensive line was harassing Sean Mannion and putting him on the ground. Linebacker Addison Gillam was again all over the field. DB Greg Henderson once again showed he is a ball hawk of the highest order.
Unfortunately, you could see the frustration begin to set in as the defensive players seem to realize that no matter how much opportunity they gave the Buffs' offense, the play calling of Brian Lindgren effectively doomed any chance that Connor Wood and the offense had to build a rhythm of success.
In hindsight, it could be reasonably argued that anything positive created by the offense was sheer dumb luck. By the end of the second quarter, the defense realized that fact and it took a bit of the wind out of their sails. On top of that, the OSU offensive coordinator adjusted HIS play calling to account for the wind.
Toby Neinas Should Wear a Bag Over His Head
Much was made of the hiring of Toby Neinas as a full time special teams coordinator. Special teams had been a nightmare for the Buffs the last several years and the conventional wisdom was that a full time coach devoted to this part of the team would help immensely. As is often the case, conventional wisdom was wrong. Special teams continues to be an embarrassment.MacIntyre's Buffs would be better served by a scarecrow with these simple points taped to his chest:
- Coverage Team: Tackle the guy with the ball.
- Return Team: Block the guys trying to tackle your guy with the ball.
- Returners: Catch the ball and HOLD onto the ball until the whistle blows. Run with the ball ONLY if you can manage the first two parts.
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Often Go Awry
The gist of the old Scot saying was highlighted by poet Robert Burns and later immortalized by John Steinbeck in his classic novella "Of Mice and Men" about a couple of guys in Depression Era California. It is a short and easy but very powerful book that the entire CU Buff coaching staff should read THIS weekend.One of the morals to the story is that things change. The application of that thought for the Buff coaches must be that they HAVE to be aware that playing conditions strongly influence what can and will work and what will NOT.
The Ice Bowl
The effect of playing conditions in football were most famously demonstrated in 1967 during the NFL Championship game at frigid Lambeau Field between Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys and Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers.At playing time, the temperature in Green Bay was 15 degrees BELOW zero. The wind chill was nearly 50 degrees below zero. Every football coach should be able to talk about the adjustments that had to be made by both players and coaches in that famous game.
The game winning touchdown was scored on fourth down near the end of the game when quarterback Bart Starr followed his guard Jerry Kramer into the endzone on a quarterback sneak. Later, when asked by the media why the Packers did not simply kick a field goal to send the game into overtime instead of risking a loss by going for it on 4th down, Lombardi said it was "too cold" to take the game into overtime. Kramer later immortalized the game and play in his book "Instant Replay" with Dick Schaap.
Everyone Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Face
Boxer Mike Tyson made that famous comment in response to questions about the lateral movement and jabs of an upcoming opponent. It pointed out that many great plans are destroyed by the reality of the moment.The game against Oregon State in Corvallis was one of those moments in which reality punched the CU coaches in the face. It was not the Beavers who did the punching. It was not Sean Mannion. It was the WIND. And Brian Lindgren and Mike MacIntyre were knocked stupid by it.
Which Way Did He Go, George? Which Way Did He Go?
According to the New York Times, the classic characters of Lennie and George were "endlessly parodied" by cartoons of the 40's and 50's. One of the most common of those parodies was of a big, goofy, Lennie-type character being confused about something and asking breathlessly, "Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?" Unfortunately for the Colorado Buffaloes, the part played by OC Brian Lindgren was that of Lennie.Let's hope that in the future, Mr. Lindgren doesn't have such a hard time figuring out which way the wind is blowing.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
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!
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!
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