Turn out the lights, the party's over. Colorado took a 10 point lead into the 4th quarter and managed to lose by 11 points, 41-30. Actually, the season was never much of a party. Maybe just a surprise party where the guest of honor was smart enough to not show up.
Although the Buffs mathematically have a chance to win another game, they won't. They make the worst rushing teams in the Pac-12 look like Barry Switzer's 1980's Oklahoma Sooners.
One could say that head coach Mike MacIntyre quit on his team by taking away their last chance for a win. The Sun Devils ran it down Colorado's throats all 2nd half, and Colorado was unable to stop them. Despite that, he choose to punt the ball back to ASU with less than three minutes left.
Most of us figured that ASU would run out the clock but Colorado failed to stop any runs and the Sun Devils scored another clinching touchdown.
The score against USC next week will be as embarrassing as the Washington and Washington State games. Mark that prediction. Whatever the line is, the Trojans will probably triple it.
Sadly, a season predicated on promised great success has turned out to be yet another lost season in Boulder. At least it's almost time to hit the slopes. Or maybe go traveling. Anything other than more wasted time.
Showing posts with label Washington State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washington State. Show all posts
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
Colorado's Mike MacIntyre Desperate for Win vs. California
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.
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.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Colorado Fans Embarrassed by Coaches in 28-0 Loss to Washington State
An already ugly season for Colorado football fans got even uglier Saturday night at Washington State. It was so ugly it was embarrassing.
But don't misinterpret that as criticism of the players. That goes squarely on the coaches. Coaches prepare the players to play. Coaches call the plays. Coaches make the adjustments. Coaches make the big bucks, and players are full time students with full time jobs playing football as well.
A consistent theme this year is the claim that Colorado has no discipline, leading to numerous penalties. Discipline is a taught trait, and anyone watching head coach (and Chief Embarrassment Officer) Mike MacIntyre absolutely LOSE IT on the sidelines knows that he is incapable of passing on the trait of discipline because he has none. I've raised three kids to adulthood and none of them had the kind of temper tantrum Mac did. Sadly for Colorado football, Mac has done this before.
Another embarrassment is co-offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren because he calls the plays. Imagine if you will that the rain is coming down in buckets and the wind is gusting up to 40 miles per hour. Or, watch the tape of the game if you want to re-live the horror.
How does a smart coach get his QB and offense into a rhythm to overcome the elements? From 50 years of watching football, I can tell you that you throw SHORT passes and run the ball against the grain because it's easier for tailbacks to change direction than big defensive linemen.
What do you do to make things easier for the defense? You run straight up the middle and throw long passes either deep or to the outside. You might be able to guess which plays were called over and over by Lindgren.
In the first half, Lindgren called 17 runs up the middle. The first six totaled 10 yards, with a long of 4. That means the other five totaled six yards.
Then, thankfully, a seven yarder up the middle. The next four totaled only 6 1/2 yards. Then a 24 yarder (wow!). But then the next five totaled only 5 yards as WSU stacked the box.
How was first half play calling for passes in the horrible weather you ask? Even worse.
Passes:
1 - 40 yards outside (INCOMPLETE)
2 - 13 yards out of bounds (INCOMPLETE)
3 - 38 yards to the outside (INCOMPLETE)
4 - 15 yards outside hash (INCOMPLETE)
5 - 10 yards outside numbers (INCOMPLETE)
6 - 8 yard pass out of bounds on 4th and 10. (INCOMPLETE)
7 - 10 yard pass to the numbers (INCOMPLETE)
8 - 9 yard pass complete outside numbers
9 - Pass behind LOS after scramble (INCOMPLETE)
10 - Offensive pass interference
11 - Outside bubble screen complete for -1 (loss)
12 - 2 yard pass out of bounds (INCOMPLETE)
13 - 5 yard completed pass to sideline
14 - 7 yard completed pass to sideline to end half
Just a reminder that football fields are 53 1/3 yards WIDE. So "short" passes to the sideline often travel more than 30 yards in the air.
In the horrible weather conditions at Washington State, how many short passes to the middle of the field were called? ZERO!
The only inside pass was off a scramble to the tailback. The rest were deep or outside in high winds and rain.
So, before anyone (you know, like the head coach and QB coach) starts blaming Steven Montez for the lack of production, take a good look at the passes called in horrible conditions. And blame the guys responsible for calling the plays. That would be Lindgren and his boss.
Many fans are embarrassed that these guys get paid with our tax dollars. And we feel terribly for the players.
Several years ago, in similar windy conditions, Lindgren called the same kind of pass plays. This site responded with:
"It's the wind, stupid!"
Now, "It's the WIND and the Rain, stupid!"
Get Brian Lindgren OUT of the BOOTH so he can see what the weather is like. Or better yet, fire him. We're stuck with MacIntyre and his giant contract, but BL can go. It's been five years and he still can't see what's going on around him. It's embarrassing.
But don't misinterpret that as criticism of the players. That goes squarely on the coaches. Coaches prepare the players to play. Coaches call the plays. Coaches make the adjustments. Coaches make the big bucks, and players are full time students with full time jobs playing football as well.
A consistent theme this year is the claim that Colorado has no discipline, leading to numerous penalties. Discipline is a taught trait, and anyone watching head coach (and Chief Embarrassment Officer) Mike MacIntyre absolutely LOSE IT on the sidelines knows that he is incapable of passing on the trait of discipline because he has none. I've raised three kids to adulthood and none of them had the kind of temper tantrum Mac did. Sadly for Colorado football, Mac has done this before.
Another embarrassment is co-offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren because he calls the plays. Imagine if you will that the rain is coming down in buckets and the wind is gusting up to 40 miles per hour. Or, watch the tape of the game if you want to re-live the horror.
How does a smart coach get his QB and offense into a rhythm to overcome the elements? From 50 years of watching football, I can tell you that you throw SHORT passes and run the ball against the grain because it's easier for tailbacks to change direction than big defensive linemen.
What do you do to make things easier for the defense? You run straight up the middle and throw long passes either deep or to the outside. You might be able to guess which plays were called over and over by Lindgren.
In the first half, Lindgren called 17 runs up the middle. The first six totaled 10 yards, with a long of 4. That means the other five totaled six yards.
Then, thankfully, a seven yarder up the middle. The next four totaled only 6 1/2 yards. Then a 24 yarder (wow!). But then the next five totaled only 5 yards as WSU stacked the box.
How was first half play calling for passes in the horrible weather you ask? Even worse.
Passes:
1 - 40 yards outside (INCOMPLETE)
2 - 13 yards out of bounds (INCOMPLETE)
3 - 38 yards to the outside (INCOMPLETE)
4 - 15 yards outside hash (INCOMPLETE)
5 - 10 yards outside numbers (INCOMPLETE)
6 - 8 yard pass out of bounds on 4th and 10. (INCOMPLETE)
7 - 10 yard pass to the numbers (INCOMPLETE)
8 - 9 yard pass complete outside numbers
9 - Pass behind LOS after scramble (INCOMPLETE)
10 - Offensive pass interference
11 - Outside bubble screen complete for -1 (loss)
12 - 2 yard pass out of bounds (INCOMPLETE)
13 - 5 yard completed pass to sideline
14 - 7 yard completed pass to sideline to end half
Just a reminder that football fields are 53 1/3 yards WIDE. So "short" passes to the sideline often travel more than 30 yards in the air.
In the horrible weather conditions at Washington State, how many short passes to the middle of the field were called? ZERO!
The only inside pass was off a scramble to the tailback. The rest were deep or outside in high winds and rain.
So, before anyone (you know, like the head coach and QB coach) starts blaming Steven Montez for the lack of production, take a good look at the passes called in horrible conditions. And blame the guys responsible for calling the plays. That would be Lindgren and his boss.
Many fans are embarrassed that these guys get paid with our tax dollars. And we feel terribly for the players.
Several years ago, in similar windy conditions, Lindgren called the same kind of pass plays. This site responded with:
"It's the wind, stupid!"
Now, "It's the WIND and the Rain, stupid!"
Get Brian Lindgren OUT of the BOOTH so he can see what the weather is like. Or better yet, fire him. We're stuck with MacIntyre and his giant contract, but BL can go. It's been five years and he still can't see what's going on around him. It's embarrassing.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Colorado Reaches Crossroads Against Washington State
It's been a particularly odd and peculiar year for the Colorado Buffaloes and their fans.
Last season was a remarkable run that ended with the Buffs playing in the Pac-12 Championship game after winning 10 games during the regular season. And after a decade of losing football, the wonder and joy of returning to winning form was a welcome respite from the years of disappointment.
Before this season began, excitement permeated all who had an interest in Colorado football. The coaches, the players, and fans expected the team to continue their winning ways based on the foundation built by head coach Mike MacIntyre.
Through recruiting and player development, it took Mac three years to turn a down program into a team able to compete in the Pac-12. Just looking at wins and losses, however, did not tell the whole story. Mac's teams won four, two, and then four games again in those first three years. But each year the Buffs got closer and closer to competing equally in the Pac-12.
Then, in year four, they finally started winning the close games.
And they also started to win big against some of the struggling teams. Things were finally good again in Buff land. And the Colorado faithful were excited. First a trip to the conference title game, and then a bowl for the first time in a decade. Thanksgiving weekend in 2016 left the Buffaloes with a 10-2 record and most CU fans were giving football thanks for the first time in longer than they cared to remember. Excitement for the future was sky high.
Since that weekend last November, the Buffaloes have won only four of nine games.
There not only lost, but were blown out of both the conference title game and the bowl game. And this season, the Buffs are limping along with a 4-3 record. They were 3-0 against over-matched non-conference foes Colorado State, Texas State and Northern Colorado. And even though the Buffs won those games, they looked very uninspired doing so.
Once they started Pac-12 play, things got ugly quickly. Washington came to Boulder and handed Colorado a beating that was eerily similar to the one the Huskies dealt CU in the Pac-12 title game. Fans and coaches rationalized that game by pointing out that UW was a top 10 team.
Following the Washington debacle, CU lost their next two conference games to teams that were struggling so badly that their coaches were rumored to be on the hot seats as far as job security. Both Jim Mora at UCLA and Rich Rodriguez at Arizona got much needed wins against Colorado. Those two losses left Colorado looking stunned at 3-3.
Last week, finally, the Buffaloes played a team truly struggling. In fact, things were so bad that the Oregon State head coach Gary Anderson walked away from a guaranteed $12 Million contract and resigned. The Buffs faced one of the worst teams in the country, and walked away with come-from-behind 36-33 win. More discouraging is that the 3 point win came against a team that had not been within 28 points of any FBS teams this season.
But, it has been argued, the Buffs won the on road in a Pac-12 game. They were the ONLY team in the league to win a conference game on the road last week.
It's a tough conference to begin with and winning on the road is very difficult. Last week, three Top 25 teams in the conference went on the road against Pac-12 foes and they all lost. Top 5 Washington lost at Arizona State. Top 10 Washington State was thrashed by California 37-3. And Top 25 Utah lost on the road to USC.
Utah lost to a fellow Top 25 team, but UW and Wash State lost to teams with records of .500 or worse. It's a tough league.
Now the Buffaloes reach a crossroads in their away game at #15 Washington State.
If they win, they move to within one game of qualifying for a bowl game. If they lose, they fall to .500 with a 4-4 record with giant-killers Cal and Arizona State looming before season ending games against heavyweights USC and Utah.
Will the Buffaloes play like they aspire to be in the Top 25? Or will they play like a team that loses big to every Top 25 team on their schedule? The Buffs haven't beaten a Top 25 team ranked above them anywhere since 2008 when they beat West Virginia. And they haven't beaten a Top 25 team on the road since 2002 against UCLA.
Time is running out if the Buffaloes want to make a bowl game for the second consecutive year. Are they and their coaches up to it? Will they celebrate an important victory or find more ways to rationalize another loss?
Last season was a remarkable run that ended with the Buffs playing in the Pac-12 Championship game after winning 10 games during the regular season. And after a decade of losing football, the wonder and joy of returning to winning form was a welcome respite from the years of disappointment.
Before this season began, excitement permeated all who had an interest in Colorado football. The coaches, the players, and fans expected the team to continue their winning ways based on the foundation built by head coach Mike MacIntyre.
Through recruiting and player development, it took Mac three years to turn a down program into a team able to compete in the Pac-12. Just looking at wins and losses, however, did not tell the whole story. Mac's teams won four, two, and then four games again in those first three years. But each year the Buffs got closer and closer to competing equally in the Pac-12.
Then, in year four, they finally started winning the close games.
And they also started to win big against some of the struggling teams. Things were finally good again in Buff land. And the Colorado faithful were excited. First a trip to the conference title game, and then a bowl for the first time in a decade. Thanksgiving weekend in 2016 left the Buffaloes with a 10-2 record and most CU fans were giving football thanks for the first time in longer than they cared to remember. Excitement for the future was sky high.
Since that weekend last November, the Buffaloes have won only four of nine games.
There not only lost, but were blown out of both the conference title game and the bowl game. And this season, the Buffs are limping along with a 4-3 record. They were 3-0 against over-matched non-conference foes Colorado State, Texas State and Northern Colorado. And even though the Buffs won those games, they looked very uninspired doing so.
Once they started Pac-12 play, things got ugly quickly. Washington came to Boulder and handed Colorado a beating that was eerily similar to the one the Huskies dealt CU in the Pac-12 title game. Fans and coaches rationalized that game by pointing out that UW was a top 10 team.
Following the Washington debacle, CU lost their next two conference games to teams that were struggling so badly that their coaches were rumored to be on the hot seats as far as job security. Both Jim Mora at UCLA and Rich Rodriguez at Arizona got much needed wins against Colorado. Those two losses left Colorado looking stunned at 3-3.
Last week, finally, the Buffaloes played a team truly struggling. In fact, things were so bad that the Oregon State head coach Gary Anderson walked away from a guaranteed $12 Million contract and resigned. The Buffs faced one of the worst teams in the country, and walked away with come-from-behind 36-33 win. More discouraging is that the 3 point win came against a team that had not been within 28 points of any FBS teams this season.
But, it has been argued, the Buffs won the on road in a Pac-12 game. They were the ONLY team in the league to win a conference game on the road last week.
It's a tough conference to begin with and winning on the road is very difficult. Last week, three Top 25 teams in the conference went on the road against Pac-12 foes and they all lost. Top 5 Washington lost at Arizona State. Top 10 Washington State was thrashed by California 37-3. And Top 25 Utah lost on the road to USC.
Utah lost to a fellow Top 25 team, but UW and Wash State lost to teams with records of .500 or worse. It's a tough league.
Now the Buffaloes reach a crossroads in their away game at #15 Washington State.
If they win, they move to within one game of qualifying for a bowl game. If they lose, they fall to .500 with a 4-4 record with giant-killers Cal and Arizona State looming before season ending games against heavyweights USC and Utah.
Will the Buffaloes play like they aspire to be in the Top 25? Or will they play like a team that loses big to every Top 25 team on their schedule? The Buffs haven't beaten a Top 25 team ranked above them anywhere since 2008 when they beat West Virginia. And they haven't beaten a Top 25 team on the road since 2002 against UCLA.
Time is running out if the Buffaloes want to make a bowl game for the second consecutive year. Are they and their coaches up to it? Will they celebrate an important victory or find more ways to rationalize another loss?
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Friday the 13th: The Wonderful, Crazy World of College Football
Some folks have an odd fear of Friday the 13th. Don't count me in there because I love it. Two coaches who will likely look back in dread on the day are Clemson HC Dabo Swinney and Washington State head coach Mike Leach. Both had excellent seasons hit massive road-bumps last night.
Defending national champion and current #2 Clemson traveled to Syracuse, New York and lost a close one 27-24 to the same Orange who had lost earlier in the season to Middle Tennessee State. Really.
Cal entered the game against Washington State with three losses already on their resume. But those losses were to USC, Washington, and Oregon. Nothing to be ashamed about. But most folks figured their game Washington State would be another loss to a Top 10 team.
Somebody forgot to tell the Bears, and they shellacked the #8 Cougars by a score of 37-3. It was some welcome good news to the Bay Area where wildfires have killed more than 34 with hundreds missing and more than 5000 buildings have been lost. Some fans in the stands wore masks due to the visible smoke.
There were only two FBS games last night, and the Top 10 team in both lost. Clemson was favored by 24 points. Washington State was a 17 point favorite. Oh well, now we know why they play the games.
Since these games were played on a Friday, it means that FOUR Top 10 teams have lost in the last week. Oklahoma and Michigan lost last Saturday.
Thank goodness for Friday the 13th and the wonderful, crazy world of college football.
Defending national champion and current #2 Clemson traveled to Syracuse, New York and lost a close one 27-24 to the same Orange who had lost earlier in the season to Middle Tennessee State. Really.
Cal entered the game against Washington State with three losses already on their resume. But those losses were to USC, Washington, and Oregon. Nothing to be ashamed about. But most folks figured their game Washington State would be another loss to a Top 10 team.
Somebody forgot to tell the Bears, and they shellacked the #8 Cougars by a score of 37-3. It was some welcome good news to the Bay Area where wildfires have killed more than 34 with hundreds missing and more than 5000 buildings have been lost. Some fans in the stands wore masks due to the visible smoke.
There were only two FBS games last night, and the Top 10 team in both lost. Clemson was favored by 24 points. Washington State was a 17 point favorite. Oh well, now we know why they play the games.
Since these games were played on a Friday, it means that FOUR Top 10 teams have lost in the last week. Oklahoma and Michigan lost last Saturday.
Thank goodness for Friday the 13th and the wonderful, crazy world of college football.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Rediscovering the Absolute Joy of Colorado Buffaloes Football
After a nightmare decade for fans, players and coaches, football at the University of Colorado is an absolute joy to behold once again. But it was not easy to find the joy, even though the Buffs have made the biggest turnaround in the entire country this year.
What really made the joy pop out to me was watching the students rush the field following the win over the #20 ranked Washington State Cougars. They did not run to the goal posts. They ran and surrounded their young men who represent their school. They bobbed up and down in euphoria and hugged and high-fived everyone they could.
The picture above does not really show the immense emotional impact, but the video's I shot show it all. I got a lump in my throat while watching these students celebrate. It reminded me of some times around 30 years ago when my wife and I were students and in the celebratory throngs.
I was lucky. When I was a student, the Buffs made their turnaround under Bill McCartney in my first year at CU. Mac won coach of the year in the Big 8 for taking a one win team from 1984 to a seven win team in 1985. And the next year we beat Nebraska for the first time in 20 years. The joy we felt was intensely palpable.
Then it dawned on me. For the Colorado students of 2016, the Buffs had not been in as big a game since most of them were in elementary school (or pre-school for some of the younger students). They joy they showed after the big victory Saturday evening was also intensely palpable.
Some writers have penned that the Buffs students should respect the sanctity of the field and not rush onto the gridiron to celebrate. That attitude is BS. After all, WE rushed the field when we were students. We wanted to celebrate with our classmates in the stands and on the field. We wanted to be overcome with joy. And like the students this year, we most certainly were.
The job being done by head coach Mike MacIntyre is phenomenal. All the coaches deserve credit for a turnaround that was three years in the making. Quarterback Sefo Liufau, the unquestioned leader of this Buffs team, has taught his teammates how to have the heart and resolve of a champion.
Sefo Liufau and his teammates deserve to celebrate with their classmates in the stands and on the field. The other seniors like Liufau only have a few more games before their careers are over. They have been through the worst times and through sheer will and determination have brought Colorado football back from the abyss.
They deserve to revel in absolute joy. They've earned it.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
The Colorado Buffaloes Have Delivered a Magical Season. It's Time for Fans to Return the Favor!
The Colorado football family has enjoyed a magical season so far in 2016. The Buffaloes sit at 8-2, and their six conference wins this season has more than doubled their previous five year total since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.
Folsom Field has once again become a hard venue to play in for opposing teams. And, as Ryan Moeller pointed out, the Buffs are now a team with a "certain swagger" to how they carry themselves off and on the field. It's the end result of countless hours of relentless work to turn the Buffaloes from one of the worst teams in the country to one which is now in the Top 10 of teams ranked for the College Football Playoff.
Fans should appreciate the quality of football being offered to them this month. They would have to look all the way back to 1996 to find a November in which the Buffs played two games against ranked opponents while also being ranked themselves.
This year is a special treat for the Buffs family, because both of those games are set to be played at Folsom Field. Number 20 Washington State, riding an eight game winning streak, comes to town this Saturday to pit the Pac-12's #1 team from the North against the #1 team from the South.
Next week, #11 Utah comes to Boulder. If the Buffs win both these games, they will represent the South division in the Pac-12 championship game. If they lose even one of the two, the championship game scenario becomes much more unlikely.
Some have erroneously reported that if the Buffs lose even one game that they cannot win the South. That is not true. But they would need serious help. The Buffs would absolutely have to beat Utah, and USC would have to lose to UCLA (unlikely, I know, but Trojan-Bruin rivalry is not based on records). That would give the Utes and the Trojans three conference losses, and the Buffs would only have two if they beat Utah and lose to Wazzu.
What is absolutely true is that any loss would end Colorado's unlikely possibility of playing in the college football playoffs. What is also true is that if Colorado wins the last two games and earns a trip to the Pac-12 Championship game, it will mean ending the season against FOUR ranked teams if CU's bowl game is counted.
These things make this a rare year for those in the stands at Folsom Field. The opportunity to watch TWO ranked teams take the field in Boulder does not happen very often, and to have it happen twice in the Golden Games of November is rarer still.
Fans should enjoy the job that has been done by Mike MacIntyre and his entire coaching staff. And they should also appreciate the work done by a remarkable group of student athletes.
We can show our appreciation by making Folsom Field LOUD, PROUD, and CROWDED for the final games of the year. The Buffs have done their part this year to make this season magical. It's time for Buffs fans to do their part as well and give their boys a full house to play in these last two weeks.
Go Buffs.
Folsom Field has once again become a hard venue to play in for opposing teams. And, as Ryan Moeller pointed out, the Buffs are now a team with a "certain swagger" to how they carry themselves off and on the field. It's the end result of countless hours of relentless work to turn the Buffaloes from one of the worst teams in the country to one which is now in the Top 10 of teams ranked for the College Football Playoff.
Fans should appreciate the quality of football being offered to them this month. They would have to look all the way back to 1996 to find a November in which the Buffs played two games against ranked opponents while also being ranked themselves.
This year is a special treat for the Buffs family, because both of those games are set to be played at Folsom Field. Number 20 Washington State, riding an eight game winning streak, comes to town this Saturday to pit the Pac-12's #1 team from the North against the #1 team from the South.
Next week, #11 Utah comes to Boulder. If the Buffs win both these games, they will represent the South division in the Pac-12 championship game. If they lose even one of the two, the championship game scenario becomes much more unlikely.
Some have erroneously reported that if the Buffs lose even one game that they cannot win the South. That is not true. But they would need serious help. The Buffs would absolutely have to beat Utah, and USC would have to lose to UCLA (unlikely, I know, but Trojan-Bruin rivalry is not based on records). That would give the Utes and the Trojans three conference losses, and the Buffs would only have two if they beat Utah and lose to Wazzu.
What is absolutely true is that any loss would end Colorado's unlikely possibility of playing in the college football playoffs. What is also true is that if Colorado wins the last two games and earns a trip to the Pac-12 Championship game, it will mean ending the season against FOUR ranked teams if CU's bowl game is counted.
These things make this a rare year for those in the stands at Folsom Field. The opportunity to watch TWO ranked teams take the field in Boulder does not happen very often, and to have it happen twice in the Golden Games of November is rarer still.
Fans should enjoy the job that has been done by Mike MacIntyre and his entire coaching staff. And they should also appreciate the work done by a remarkable group of student athletes.
We can show our appreciation by making Folsom Field LOUD, PROUD, and CROWDED for the final games of the year. The Buffs have done their part this year to make this season magical. It's time for Buffs fans to do their part as well and give their boys a full house to play in these last two weeks.
Go Buffs.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Where Have You Gone, Colorado Offense? Must the D do it all?
In some ways, 2016 has already been a magical season for long-suffering fans of the Colorado Buffaloes. For the first time in almost a decade, the Buffs know they are going bowling. Pre-season hot-seat head coach Mike MacIntyre is now listed as a top 5 candidate for Coach of the Year.
Better than that even is that these Buffs who were picked to finish last in the Pac-112 South are alone in first place in their division with two out of three of their last games at Folsom Field. This season, for the first time in what seems like forever, the Buffs control their own destiny.
Last season, the Buffs defense made a large improvement under the guidance of new coaches Jim Leavitt (Coordinator and Linebackers) and Joe Tumpkin (Safeties). Buff fans expected the D to be even better this year, and the defense has outperformed even the most generous prognosticators.
After nine games, the Buffs have given up only 155 points, slightly over 17 points a game. But that stat is skewed because 45 of those points were scored by #2 Michigan in Ann Arbor. The main reason the Buffs are in first place in the Pac-12 South it that they are giving up only 16 points per game against conference foes. As the season goes along, though, the D is becoming a dominant force. They have given up only 15 points total in the last two games, against Stanford and UCLA.
In a few hours from now, they will take on the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson. Arizona has had a horrible year, but they are a historically solid program with eight bowls in the last nine years. That won't happen this year, but the UA players and their head coach Rich Rodriguez are a proud bunch who would love nothing more than to take down a ranked team to help salvage their season.
Meanwhile, the Buffs offense has struggled mightily the last few games. In three of the last four, the Buffs have averaged less than 16 points per game. That's a far cry from the 42+ points per game the Buffs scored earlier in the season.
It will be important to get the offense going tonight, for sure, because the next two opponents, Utah and Washington State, are both ranked in the Top 25.
After many explosive plays earlier in the season, they seem to have dried up for the Buffs. The have had 38 plays of 20 yards or longer (including 13 of more than 40), but only TWO total in the last two games. Both of those were runs by Phillip Lindsay. The Buffs have not had a pass completion longer than 20 yards since the Arizona State game.
Even though the Buffs stand at 7-2, Buff fans are wondering loudly what happened to the explosiveness of the offense. They point out that early in the season that the Buffs were an unknown since they had a new co-offensive coordinator in Darrin Chiaverini and a new commitment to the hurry-up offense. That speed of play seemed surprising to many of the teams on the schedule, and the pace allowed the Buffs to surprise people with big plays over and over again. They even did it to #2 Michigan, the best defense in the country.
Lately, though, some of the better coaches in the league have seemed to figure out how to slow the Buffs big play offense, particularly in the air. David Shaw, Jim Mora and Clay Helton (with help from defensive mastermind Clancy Pendergrast) have quite effectively taken away the big passing game of the Buffs.
Granted, Stanford and the LA schools have the talent in the defensive backfield. But Michigan has a great secondary as well. What the Buffs seem to have lost is their element of surprise that was in their favor early in the season. It seems like they have fallen back to the bad form of being completely predictable in their play-calling.
Also, the offensive co-coordinators Brian Lindgren and Darrin Chiaverini, have been horrible at making in-game adjustments to their game plans. They also have a very questionable habit of going away from what is working. It's like they want the Buffs to be a dominant passing team even when the opponent gears their defense to stopping the pass. Likewise, they choose to run between the tackles against stacked box defenses.
Fortunately, the Buffs SHOULD be able to put numerous big plays on the board tonight against a reeling Arizona team. But the coaches need to be ready, because better teams are ahead and the Buffs cannot waltz to the Pac-12 championship game. USC is rolling right now, and they are just behind the Buffs and win the tiebreaker due to their victory over CU. Utah is also just behind, but the Buffs play them to end the regular season.
Most importantly, the Buffs must strive to be better. We have seen the strides made by the D this year to become one of the best in the country.
But the offense seems to be collapsing with inconsistency at the most important time of the season. The players can't be faulted though. The Buffs offense is really not good enough to be dominant if the opposing defensive coordinator has a good idea what plays the Buffs will call.
I know I am not alone in being able to pretty accurately anticipate what plays Lindgren will call in certain situations. And that's from watching the games once (sometimes twice). The Buffs need to realize that their opponents are studying their game film to find a way to stop them. In the last two games (and three of the last four), it has worked like a charm.
The saving grace has been the DEFENSE. But the Buffs cannot insist that the D does it all if they want to make it to the Pac-12 Championship.
Better than that even is that these Buffs who were picked to finish last in the Pac-112 South are alone in first place in their division with two out of three of their last games at Folsom Field. This season, for the first time in what seems like forever, the Buffs control their own destiny.
Last season, the Buffs defense made a large improvement under the guidance of new coaches Jim Leavitt (Coordinator and Linebackers) and Joe Tumpkin (Safeties). Buff fans expected the D to be even better this year, and the defense has outperformed even the most generous prognosticators.
After nine games, the Buffs have given up only 155 points, slightly over 17 points a game. But that stat is skewed because 45 of those points were scored by #2 Michigan in Ann Arbor. The main reason the Buffs are in first place in the Pac-12 South it that they are giving up only 16 points per game against conference foes. As the season goes along, though, the D is becoming a dominant force. They have given up only 15 points total in the last two games, against Stanford and UCLA.
In a few hours from now, they will take on the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson. Arizona has had a horrible year, but they are a historically solid program with eight bowls in the last nine years. That won't happen this year, but the UA players and their head coach Rich Rodriguez are a proud bunch who would love nothing more than to take down a ranked team to help salvage their season.
Meanwhile, the Buffs offense has struggled mightily the last few games. In three of the last four, the Buffs have averaged less than 16 points per game. That's a far cry from the 42+ points per game the Buffs scored earlier in the season.
It will be important to get the offense going tonight, for sure, because the next two opponents, Utah and Washington State, are both ranked in the Top 25.
After many explosive plays earlier in the season, they seem to have dried up for the Buffs. The have had 38 plays of 20 yards or longer (including 13 of more than 40), but only TWO total in the last two games. Both of those were runs by Phillip Lindsay. The Buffs have not had a pass completion longer than 20 yards since the Arizona State game.
Even though the Buffs stand at 7-2, Buff fans are wondering loudly what happened to the explosiveness of the offense. They point out that early in the season that the Buffs were an unknown since they had a new co-offensive coordinator in Darrin Chiaverini and a new commitment to the hurry-up offense. That speed of play seemed surprising to many of the teams on the schedule, and the pace allowed the Buffs to surprise people with big plays over and over again. They even did it to #2 Michigan, the best defense in the country.
Lately, though, some of the better coaches in the league have seemed to figure out how to slow the Buffs big play offense, particularly in the air. David Shaw, Jim Mora and Clay Helton (with help from defensive mastermind Clancy Pendergrast) have quite effectively taken away the big passing game of the Buffs.
Granted, Stanford and the LA schools have the talent in the defensive backfield. But Michigan has a great secondary as well. What the Buffs seem to have lost is their element of surprise that was in their favor early in the season. It seems like they have fallen back to the bad form of being completely predictable in their play-calling.
Also, the offensive co-coordinators Brian Lindgren and Darrin Chiaverini, have been horrible at making in-game adjustments to their game plans. They also have a very questionable habit of going away from what is working. It's like they want the Buffs to be a dominant passing team even when the opponent gears their defense to stopping the pass. Likewise, they choose to run between the tackles against stacked box defenses.
Fortunately, the Buffs SHOULD be able to put numerous big plays on the board tonight against a reeling Arizona team. But the coaches need to be ready, because better teams are ahead and the Buffs cannot waltz to the Pac-12 championship game. USC is rolling right now, and they are just behind the Buffs and win the tiebreaker due to their victory over CU. Utah is also just behind, but the Buffs play them to end the regular season.
Most importantly, the Buffs must strive to be better. We have seen the strides made by the D this year to become one of the best in the country.
But the offense seems to be collapsing with inconsistency at the most important time of the season. The players can't be faulted though. The Buffs offense is really not good enough to be dominant if the opposing defensive coordinator has a good idea what plays the Buffs will call.
I know I am not alone in being able to pretty accurately anticipate what plays Lindgren will call in certain situations. And that's from watching the games once (sometimes twice). The Buffs need to realize that their opponents are studying their game film to find a way to stop them. In the last two games (and three of the last four), it has worked like a charm.
The saving grace has been the DEFENSE. But the Buffs cannot insist that the D does it all if they want to make it to the Pac-12 Championship.
Friday, November 11, 2016
What's Happened to the Pac-12 Predictions in 2016?
Mike MacIntyre's 4th Colorado Buffaloes team entered the season finished to pick last yet again in the Pac-12 South. What else is new? So-called prognosticators in most cases are nothing more than those who review the last few seasons before sharing their "expert" advice.
Before the season, most of the media picked Stanford to win the North and UCLA to win the South. After those two, the next picks were Oregon and USC. The Washington Huskies were the 5th team selected in the Pac-12. Utah won 10 games last year and at one time were ranked #3 in the country, but they were expected to be only the 7th best team in the Pac-12 this hyear.
How has all this panned out? Stanford has stumbled to a 6-3 record while UCLA has collapsed to 3-6, a futile record that they share with Oregon.
Meanwhile, Washington is 9-0 and ranked #4 in the country. Colorado is 7-2, ranked #12 in the latest CFP poll, and alone in first place in the Pac-12 South.
Utah is 8-2 and ranked #15. USC, after a poor start is on a roll and ranked #20. Washington State started the season 0-2, but has since won seven straight to be ranked #23.
Arizona State and Arizona have had a rough patch unlike any in recent memory. The Sun Devils started the season 4-0, but since then they have lost 5 of 6. They have given up 180 points in their last four games. Arizona is winless in conference play (0-6) and have lost six in a row. They have given up 267 points in Pac-12 games, which is 44.5 per game.
Oregon will not be going to a bowl for the first time since the 2004 season. For UCLA, it will be first season not bowling since 2008. ASU will not go to a bowl for first time since 2010. Arizona has played in 8 bowl games in the last nine years. Not this year, though.
The moral of story, of course, is that the reason they play games is because any team in the conference can win or lose any conference game based on motivation, injuries, turnovers, horrible officiating or just plain luck.
North leader #4 Washington faces perhaps the most dangerous team on their schedule this weekend in USC. And South leader Colorado faces a down Arizona team with a long and proud history of taking down highly ranked teams in Tucson. Washington needed OT to beat them earlier this year. This is a game the Buffs must be prepared to take to the wire if necessary.
And best of all, these things represent the main reasons so many of us LOVE college football.
Before the season, most of the media picked Stanford to win the North and UCLA to win the South. After those two, the next picks were Oregon and USC. The Washington Huskies were the 5th team selected in the Pac-12. Utah won 10 games last year and at one time were ranked #3 in the country, but they were expected to be only the 7th best team in the Pac-12 this hyear.
How has all this panned out? Stanford has stumbled to a 6-3 record while UCLA has collapsed to 3-6, a futile record that they share with Oregon.
Meanwhile, Washington is 9-0 and ranked #4 in the country. Colorado is 7-2, ranked #12 in the latest CFP poll, and alone in first place in the Pac-12 South.
Utah is 8-2 and ranked #15. USC, after a poor start is on a roll and ranked #20. Washington State started the season 0-2, but has since won seven straight to be ranked #23.
Arizona State and Arizona have had a rough patch unlike any in recent memory. The Sun Devils started the season 4-0, but since then they have lost 5 of 6. They have given up 180 points in their last four games. Arizona is winless in conference play (0-6) and have lost six in a row. They have given up 267 points in Pac-12 games, which is 44.5 per game.
Oregon will not be going to a bowl for the first time since the 2004 season. For UCLA, it will be first season not bowling since 2008. ASU will not go to a bowl for first time since 2010. Arizona has played in 8 bowl games in the last nine years. Not this year, though.
The moral of story, of course, is that the reason they play games is because any team in the conference can win or lose any conference game based on motivation, injuries, turnovers, horrible officiating or just plain luck.
North leader #4 Washington faces perhaps the most dangerous team on their schedule this weekend in USC. And South leader Colorado faces a down Arizona team with a long and proud history of taking down highly ranked teams in Tucson. Washington needed OT to beat them earlier this year. This is a game the Buffs must be prepared to take to the wire if necessary.
And best of all, these things represent the main reasons so many of us LOVE college football.
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.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Colorado Earns Respect as Buffs Prove They Can Score Big Points in Pac-12 Play
In the first three years that Colorado was playing in Pac-12 games, their opponents scored 40 or more points 22 times. In fact, their Pac-12 opponents scored 50 or more 8 times during from 2011-13.
During that same time span, Colorado only scored more than 40 points twice in Pac-12 play. That 22-2 difference pretty much sums up that the first three years in the league were extraordinarily tough. Mike MacIntyre was the head coach in only one of those first three years, but his Buffs have made steady improvement and are now poised to shoot it out with their conference foes.
The Pac-12 is an offensive league. Points are scored at a high rate and no team can ever be counted out. Arizona scored 36 points in the 4th quarter to come back and beat California. Utah gave up a 21 point lead to Washington State to lose by one. Colorado was twice up by 14 points against Cal only to lose the game by three points in double overtime. The "Berkeley Shootout" saw 115 points scored and 14 touchdown passes.
Colorado showed against Arizona State that they could move the ball up and down the field against a very good Pac-12 team. Turnovers and mistakes led them to lose after dominating the last three quarters against the Sun Devils. Against California, the Buffs again put massive yards up, but this time put up a score to match with 56 points. Unfortunately, Cal scored 59, but the game confirmed that the Buffs finally possessed the offensive firepower to put big points on the board in conference play.
The next step for Colorado is continuing improvement toward eliminating big plays by the competition. Take away five defensive breakdowns for Colorado against Cal and the Buffs win by 20 or more.
California scored 35 points on plays of 25, 26, 40, 75, and 92 yards. Those 258 yards in five plays represented 44% of the Golden Bears' yardage on the day. They also led to almost 60% of the Bears' points.
By comparison, Colorado's ball control offense moved the ball in much smaller chunks. The yardage on their longest 5 touchdowns combined was only 96 yards total. Those scores covered 30, 25, 22, 12 and 7 yards. The yardage on those 5 touchdowns represented only 15% of their total offense of 630 yards.
What the Buffs have going for them is that their offensive style allows them to control the ball and the clock. If opposing defenses play deep to take away the long ball, the Buffs are adept at chipping their way down the field. If opponents play too close to the line, the Buffs can go over the top to score. Going forward, that style of ball control gives the Buffs their best chance to win. As they continue to improve and their running game becomes more reliable, the Buffs will be harder and harder to stop.
The Buff defense is still giving up a lot of points, but other league teams are working much harder to score them. In years past, the Buffs were usually going against 2nd and 3rd stringers (or 4th!) in the second half. This year, Cal and ASU had their starters in the entire game. The Buff D has also developed a swagger that has not been seen in Boulder for a long time. It's good to see and a sign of better things to come.
If fans only look at the final scores, it might seem hard to see the great improvements made by the Buffs in 2014. It is necessary to watch the games to see how improved they are. They are hitting harder as a group and scoring more points as well. They are scratching and clawing to become relevant in the best conference in the country. Before our very eyes, they are learning to compete to the final whistle. And before long, they will be learning to win in the Pac-12 on a consistent basis.
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Seeing the Buffs play this year, especially in person at Folsom Field, will also give Buff fans a chance to see Nelson Spruce obliterate the record book for receivers at Colorado. Just as casual fans turned out to watch Chauncey Billups play hoops at CU, they should also do the same for Spruce. They should also cross their fingers that Spruce blesses Colorado with one more year before going off to the NFL.
During that same time span, Colorado only scored more than 40 points twice in Pac-12 play. That 22-2 difference pretty much sums up that the first three years in the league were extraordinarily tough. Mike MacIntyre was the head coach in only one of those first three years, but his Buffs have made steady improvement and are now poised to shoot it out with their conference foes.
The Pac-12 is an offensive league. Points are scored at a high rate and no team can ever be counted out. Arizona scored 36 points in the 4th quarter to come back and beat California. Utah gave up a 21 point lead to Washington State to lose by one. Colorado was twice up by 14 points against Cal only to lose the game by three points in double overtime. The "Berkeley Shootout" saw 115 points scored and 14 touchdown passes.
Colorado showed against Arizona State that they could move the ball up and down the field against a very good Pac-12 team. Turnovers and mistakes led them to lose after dominating the last three quarters against the Sun Devils. Against California, the Buffs again put massive yards up, but this time put up a score to match with 56 points. Unfortunately, Cal scored 59, but the game confirmed that the Buffs finally possessed the offensive firepower to put big points on the board in conference play.
The next step for Colorado is continuing improvement toward eliminating big plays by the competition. Take away five defensive breakdowns for Colorado against Cal and the Buffs win by 20 or more.
California scored 35 points on plays of 25, 26, 40, 75, and 92 yards. Those 258 yards in five plays represented 44% of the Golden Bears' yardage on the day. They also led to almost 60% of the Bears' points.
By comparison, Colorado's ball control offense moved the ball in much smaller chunks. The yardage on their longest 5 touchdowns combined was only 96 yards total. Those scores covered 30, 25, 22, 12 and 7 yards. The yardage on those 5 touchdowns represented only 15% of their total offense of 630 yards.
What the Buffs have going for them is that their offensive style allows them to control the ball and the clock. If opposing defenses play deep to take away the long ball, the Buffs are adept at chipping their way down the field. If opponents play too close to the line, the Buffs can go over the top to score. Going forward, that style of ball control gives the Buffs their best chance to win. As they continue to improve and their running game becomes more reliable, the Buffs will be harder and harder to stop.
The Buff defense is still giving up a lot of points, but other league teams are working much harder to score them. In years past, the Buffs were usually going against 2nd and 3rd stringers (or 4th!) in the second half. This year, Cal and ASU had their starters in the entire game. The Buff D has also developed a swagger that has not been seen in Boulder for a long time. It's good to see and a sign of better things to come.
If fans only look at the final scores, it might seem hard to see the great improvements made by the Buffs in 2014. It is necessary to watch the games to see how improved they are. They are hitting harder as a group and scoring more points as well. They are scratching and clawing to become relevant in the best conference in the country. Before our very eyes, they are learning to compete to the final whistle. And before long, they will be learning to win in the Pac-12 on a consistent basis.
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Seeing the Buffs play this year, especially in person at Folsom Field, will also give Buff fans a chance to see Nelson Spruce obliterate the record book for receivers at Colorado. Just as casual fans turned out to watch Chauncey Billups play hoops at CU, they should also do the same for Spruce. They should also cross their fingers that Spruce blesses Colorado with one more year before going off to the NFL.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Colorado Buffs Looking to Control Tempo and Limit Turnovers Against California
The Colorado Buffaloes hit the road this weekend against the California Golden Bears. To hear some folks tell it, you would think the Buffs were going against the greatest offensive machine in the Pac-12. Or the country. Balderdash!
Some coaches like their teams to throw the ball. A LOT. But throwing the ball 60 times a game does not automatically make the QB the next big thing or the team a winner on the field. Look at some of the examples right here in the conference.
What's the moral of this story?
The key is to control the game, not just throw lots of passes for big yardage. In fact, it could be argued that it is frequently the case that lots of yardage through the air only shows that the team was behind and trying to catch up.
Some coaches throw the ball so much that they don't know how to control the clock with the running game. Last week against Arizona, Cal gave up 36 points in the fourth quarter to lose after being ahead by 22 points at halftime.
The key to the game against Cal will be to control the tempo of the game and to limit Cal's big plays for scores.
Cal will put big yardage up against Colorado, but that does not mean they will win. The Buffs have gotten much tougher in the red zone than they have been in years. Where in years past the red zone for Buff opponents usually meant a touchdown, this year they are finding the sledding much tougher, and that a field goal is all they come away with.
Two other areas the Buffs must win are special teams play and turnovers. One of the reasons that Arizona State was crushed by UCLA was that they turned over the ball 4 times and also allowed a kickoff to be returned for a touchdown.
If the Buffs can hold onto the ball, and continue the outstanding play on special teams (for the last couple of games), along with creating several turnovers by the Bears, they have an excellent shot at leaving Cal with their third win of the season.
Fans should remember that last year's four win team had only two of those wins against FBS level school. There are no FCS teams on the schedule this year.
The turnover battle will be key for this game. In 2010, the Buffs turned the ball over 5 times and California crushed them by a score of 52-7. Last year, the Buffs and Bears each had only one turnover, and Colorado cruised by a score of 41-24.
Some coaches like their teams to throw the ball. A LOT. But throwing the ball 60 times a game does not automatically make the QB the next big thing or the team a winner on the field. Look at some of the examples right here in the conference.
- Arizona State put up 626 yards and 38 first downs against UCLA. Their QB threw for 488 yards, and completed 42 of 68 passes. Big win for the Sun Devils? NO! UCLA crushed ASU 62-27.
- Cal's QB Jared Goff set lots of passing records in Berkeley last year. The Golden Bears finished 1-11.
- Washington State throws for almost 500 yards per game this year. Their record is 1-3.
- In the Colorado game vs. Arizona State, the Buffs dominated time of possession, had 55% more first down, and outgained the Sun Devils by 120 yards. ASU won 38-24.
What's the moral of this story?
The key is to control the game, not just throw lots of passes for big yardage. In fact, it could be argued that it is frequently the case that lots of yardage through the air only shows that the team was behind and trying to catch up.
Some coaches throw the ball so much that they don't know how to control the clock with the running game. Last week against Arizona, Cal gave up 36 points in the fourth quarter to lose after being ahead by 22 points at halftime.
The key to the game against Cal will be to control the tempo of the game and to limit Cal's big plays for scores.
Cal will put big yardage up against Colorado, but that does not mean they will win. The Buffs have gotten much tougher in the red zone than they have been in years. Where in years past the red zone for Buff opponents usually meant a touchdown, this year they are finding the sledding much tougher, and that a field goal is all they come away with.
Two other areas the Buffs must win are special teams play and turnovers. One of the reasons that Arizona State was crushed by UCLA was that they turned over the ball 4 times and also allowed a kickoff to be returned for a touchdown.
If the Buffs can hold onto the ball, and continue the outstanding play on special teams (for the last couple of games), along with creating several turnovers by the Bears, they have an excellent shot at leaving Cal with their third win of the season.
Fans should remember that last year's four win team had only two of those wins against FBS level school. There are no FCS teams on the schedule this year.
The turnover battle will be key for this game. In 2010, the Buffs turned the ball over 5 times and California crushed them by a score of 52-7. Last year, the Buffs and Bears each had only one turnover, and Colorado cruised by a score of 41-24.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Big Dogs Beware: Colorado Poised to Turn Corner Against Pac-12 Foes
In every conference, they have what are commonly referred to as the "Big Dogs" which dominate conference play. When you play in the Pac-12, those big dogs are a pack of six schools which do fairly well on an almost annual basis during the football season.
The Big Dogs of Pac-12 football these days are (alphabetically):
In fact, in only one of those 17 games did one of those Big Dogs fail to score at least 42 points. Washington won in 2012 by 38-3. The three points scored by the Buffs in that game were not the worst they had done. The Oregon Ducks beat CU 45-2 in 2011, and Stanford shut out the Buffs 48-0 in 2012.
What's the point? In all 17 of those games, Colorado was completely manhandled in every phase of the game. In most cases, the Buffs were going up against 2nd and 3rd stringers after halftime. The stat sheets after those games showed Colorado giving up massive amounts of yards as well as points.
That all changed this past Saturday night against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Colorado was not only "in" the game until the very end, but had completely dominated the stat sheets following the first quarter. The Buffs put an astounding 523 yards on the Sun Devils in the final three quarters, while holding ASU to 204 yards in that time. The ASU starters (not counting injuries) were on the field the entire game.
Unfortunately, the Buffs committed three turnovers which led directly to 14 points for the Sun Devils. Take those away, and you have a tie game. More importantly, one of the interceptions should have gone for a touchdown for Colorado. Nelson Spruce was WIDE open deep down the field, but the moonball toss to him was so high that the ASU safety was able to come from all the way across the defensive backfield to intercept the ball. What should have been a Colorado touchdown instead led to an Arizona State touchdown.
Later, right after Colorado had cut a 17-0 deficit into a 17-14 nail-biter, the Buffs fumbled the ball deep in their own end and gave the Sun Devils a 7-point gift to put them down by 10 again at the half. The Sun Devils took the opening kickoff and scored another touchdown and were once again up by 17. Although Colorado dominated both sides of the ball for the rest of the game, the 17 points were too many to overcome. Colorado lost 38-24.
While some fair-weather fans bemoaned yet another loss, the more astute Colorado fans noted that the Buffs had played one of the conference "Big Dogs" tough for the very first time since joining the Pac-12. They noted that Colorado was equal or superior in most of the statistical categories against the Sun Devils. The two parts that ASU won, however, determined the outcome. The Sun Devils won the turnover battle and the final score.
The Buffs almost doubled their average score against the "Big Dogs" and also held the Sun Devils to a tie for the least amount of points scored against them by the big six. The 14 point loss was far and away the closest game against any of those teams. Remember, the Buffs average loss to the Big Dogs was by 37 points.
Head Coach Mike MacIntyre and his players have said time and again that they are not looking for moral victories. That is good. They are pursuing real wins against conference opponents. In three years in the Pac-12, the Buffs have defeated 4 conference teams one time apiece. They have beaten Arizona, California, Utah and Washington State.
The way the Buffs played indicates that they are ready to be competitive on a regular basis against conference foes. After a 4-24 record in three years against Pac-12 teams since they joined the conference, being competitive is a MAJOR step up.
The Buffs may not win six games this year to become bowl eligible. Buff fans have to remember that two of last year's four wins came against lower division FCS teams. There are none of those teams on this year's schedule.
Remember that UMass played Boston College tough for 30 minutes and only trailed 7-6 at the half. That is the same Boston College team that whipped USC last weekend. Colorado had to come back to beat UMass, but they did come back and win.
Hawaii only has a record of 1-2 coming into the game this weekend, but their two losses were very close games against Pac-12 opponents. Norm Chow is a great coach and the Rainbow Warriors are a much better team than people think. The Buffs will have to play hardnose and smart football to beat them.
This writer has been watching the Buffs for 30 years now, many of them as a season ticket holder. I have travelled to see them play. I have been to bowl games. I was there for some of the best times and teams in Colorado history. I have also seen some of the worst times.
For the first time in a long time, I am hopeful and proud of the way the Buffs have started to improve. I see good things ahead for these young men. College football is not as simple as it used to be. Learning from one coaching staff is difficult enough. Some of these young men are on their 3rd, but their hard work and the teaching ability of the coaching staff is finally start to pay dividends.
Look for that investment to begin paying off very soon. These Buffs CAN play in the Pac-12, and if last week was any indication, they can also put up a fight against the Big Dogs!
The Big Dogs of Pac-12 football these days are (alphabetically):
- Arizona State
- Oregon
- Stanford
- UCLA
- USC
- Washington
In fact, in only one of those 17 games did one of those Big Dogs fail to score at least 42 points. Washington won in 2012 by 38-3. The three points scored by the Buffs in that game were not the worst they had done. The Oregon Ducks beat CU 45-2 in 2011, and Stanford shut out the Buffs 48-0 in 2012.
What's the point? In all 17 of those games, Colorado was completely manhandled in every phase of the game. In most cases, the Buffs were going up against 2nd and 3rd stringers after halftime. The stat sheets after those games showed Colorado giving up massive amounts of yards as well as points.
That all changed this past Saturday night against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Colorado was not only "in" the game until the very end, but had completely dominated the stat sheets following the first quarter. The Buffs put an astounding 523 yards on the Sun Devils in the final three quarters, while holding ASU to 204 yards in that time. The ASU starters (not counting injuries) were on the field the entire game.
Unfortunately, the Buffs committed three turnovers which led directly to 14 points for the Sun Devils. Take those away, and you have a tie game. More importantly, one of the interceptions should have gone for a touchdown for Colorado. Nelson Spruce was WIDE open deep down the field, but the moonball toss to him was so high that the ASU safety was able to come from all the way across the defensive backfield to intercept the ball. What should have been a Colorado touchdown instead led to an Arizona State touchdown.
Later, right after Colorado had cut a 17-0 deficit into a 17-14 nail-biter, the Buffs fumbled the ball deep in their own end and gave the Sun Devils a 7-point gift to put them down by 10 again at the half. The Sun Devils took the opening kickoff and scored another touchdown and were once again up by 17. Although Colorado dominated both sides of the ball for the rest of the game, the 17 points were too many to overcome. Colorado lost 38-24.
While some fair-weather fans bemoaned yet another loss, the more astute Colorado fans noted that the Buffs had played one of the conference "Big Dogs" tough for the very first time since joining the Pac-12. They noted that Colorado was equal or superior in most of the statistical categories against the Sun Devils. The two parts that ASU won, however, determined the outcome. The Sun Devils won the turnover battle and the final score.
The Buffs almost doubled their average score against the "Big Dogs" and also held the Sun Devils to a tie for the least amount of points scored against them by the big six. The 14 point loss was far and away the closest game against any of those teams. Remember, the Buffs average loss to the Big Dogs was by 37 points.
Head Coach Mike MacIntyre and his players have said time and again that they are not looking for moral victories. That is good. They are pursuing real wins against conference opponents. In three years in the Pac-12, the Buffs have defeated 4 conference teams one time apiece. They have beaten Arizona, California, Utah and Washington State.
The way the Buffs played indicates that they are ready to be competitive on a regular basis against conference foes. After a 4-24 record in three years against Pac-12 teams since they joined the conference, being competitive is a MAJOR step up.
The Buffs may not win six games this year to become bowl eligible. Buff fans have to remember that two of last year's four wins came against lower division FCS teams. There are none of those teams on this year's schedule.
Remember that UMass played Boston College tough for 30 minutes and only trailed 7-6 at the half. That is the same Boston College team that whipped USC last weekend. Colorado had to come back to beat UMass, but they did come back and win.
Hawaii only has a record of 1-2 coming into the game this weekend, but their two losses were very close games against Pac-12 opponents. Norm Chow is a great coach and the Rainbow Warriors are a much better team than people think. The Buffs will have to play hardnose and smart football to beat them.
This writer has been watching the Buffs for 30 years now, many of them as a season ticket holder. I have travelled to see them play. I have been to bowl games. I was there for some of the best times and teams in Colorado history. I have also seen some of the worst times.
For the first time in a long time, I am hopeful and proud of the way the Buffs have started to improve. I see good things ahead for these young men. College football is not as simple as it used to be. Learning from one coaching staff is difficult enough. Some of these young men are on their 3rd, but their hard work and the teaching ability of the coaching staff is finally start to pay dividends.
Look for that investment to begin paying off very soon. These Buffs CAN play in the Pac-12, and if last week was any indication, they can also put up a fight against the Big Dogs!
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.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Colorado Buffs Win a Rare One on the Road
All Buff fans know that the Colorado football team has been having a tough time for a good long while now. 2007 was the last time that CU managed to win half their games and qualify for a bowl game.
That Independence Bowl game following the 2007 season was a pivotal point for two programs with great histories. The Colorado Buffs and the Alabama Crimson Tide entered the game with identical 6-6 records. The Tide prevailed 30-24 in a close game that was supposed to be the start of good things for both programs.
It was the turning point for Alabama under Nick Saban, as they went on to win 3 of the next 5 National Championships, and are now considered to be the most dominant program in the country.
What about Colorado? Following a rare road win in 2007 against Texas Tech, the Buffs went on to lose 23 straight games played on the road, not counting neutral site games. They haven's been to a bowl game since the clash with Alabama.
They finally broke that string at the end of the 2011 season when they managed to take down Utah on the road in the season finale. Their next road game took the Buffs to Fresno State, where they gave up 35 points in the first quarter on their way to losing 69-14.
They were on their way to being blown out again the next week at Washington State when the Cougars pulled one of the biggest meltdowns in conference history by giving up a 20 point lead in the final 7 minutes of the game and losing to CU. If nothing else, that gave the Buffs 2 wins out of their previous three road trips. That winning percentage would not hold up, however, as the Buffs had lost every road game since then until...
Colorado 41, UMass 38
Forget the fact that Colorado was a 17 point favorite going into the game.
Forget that since the Minutemen had joined the FBS, they had a combined record of 2-23.
Forget everything about UMass, and remember that road victories for the Buffs don't happen very often. That being the case, Buff fans should savor this victory because it might be a good long time before they see another one.
In fact, it might be a good long time before the Buffs see a victory of any kind. Arizona State's potent offense, led by chief gunslinger Taylor Kelly, is champing at the bit to get on the field with the Buffs. Even Hawaii, who comes to Boulder the week after the Sun Devils, is greatly improved. Their one point loss to a top 25 Pac-12 team in the first game of the season has them thinking that the Buffs might be ripe for the taking. And after that, it's nothing but Pac-12 level offenses and defenses for the Buffs to contend with.
For one week, at least, Buff fans and players should enjoy the knowledge that the team won one on the road. Enjoy the feeling. You never know when you'll be able to feel it again.
That Independence Bowl game following the 2007 season was a pivotal point for two programs with great histories. The Colorado Buffs and the Alabama Crimson Tide entered the game with identical 6-6 records. The Tide prevailed 30-24 in a close game that was supposed to be the start of good things for both programs.
It was the turning point for Alabama under Nick Saban, as they went on to win 3 of the next 5 National Championships, and are now considered to be the most dominant program in the country.
What about Colorado? Following a rare road win in 2007 against Texas Tech, the Buffs went on to lose 23 straight games played on the road, not counting neutral site games. They haven's been to a bowl game since the clash with Alabama.
They finally broke that string at the end of the 2011 season when they managed to take down Utah on the road in the season finale. Their next road game took the Buffs to Fresno State, where they gave up 35 points in the first quarter on their way to losing 69-14.
They were on their way to being blown out again the next week at Washington State when the Cougars pulled one of the biggest meltdowns in conference history by giving up a 20 point lead in the final 7 minutes of the game and losing to CU. If nothing else, that gave the Buffs 2 wins out of their previous three road trips. That winning percentage would not hold up, however, as the Buffs had lost every road game since then until...
Colorado 41, UMass 38
Forget the fact that Colorado was a 17 point favorite going into the game.
Forget that since the Minutemen had joined the FBS, they had a combined record of 2-23.
Forget everything about UMass, and remember that road victories for the Buffs don't happen very often. That being the case, Buff fans should savor this victory because it might be a good long time before they see another one.
In fact, it might be a good long time before the Buffs see a victory of any kind. Arizona State's potent offense, led by chief gunslinger Taylor Kelly, is champing at the bit to get on the field with the Buffs. Even Hawaii, who comes to Boulder the week after the Sun Devils, is greatly improved. Their one point loss to a top 25 Pac-12 team in the first game of the season has them thinking that the Buffs might be ripe for the taking. And after that, it's nothing but Pac-12 level offenses and defenses for the Buffs to contend with.
For one week, at least, Buff fans and players should enjoy the knowledge that the team won one on the road. Enjoy the feeling. You never know when you'll be able to feel it again.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
CU Basketball: Buffs Thrashed by ASU -- Time to Take a Cold Hard Look at the Future
One of the great things about having a ranked team when most of your players are underclassmen is that the future looks bright for your program. One of the bad things about having a team dominated by youngsters is the risk that they will wander aimlessly without a true leader.
Such is the case with Tad Boyle's Colorado Buffaloes, who have looked lost and clueless as to which way to turn since projected first round NBA pick Spencer Dinwiddie blew out his knee and was lost for the season. Add in that Tre'Shaun Fletcher hurt his knee and is lost for the next couple months, and the Buffs' psyche just added insult to injury.
After Dinwiddie went down with CU enjoying a lead on the road at Washington, the Buffs proceeded to fall apart and lose that game. The shocking loss of one of the best players in the country gave a viable excuse to the Buff faithful. Even the next game, a loss at home to a ranked UCLA team, seemed reasonable as the Buffs looked to retool their game without Dinwiddie.
Thankfully, a bad to mediocre USC team came into town and the Buffs jumped on them early before coasting to a 21 point win. Unfortunately, what the Trojans gave the Buffs may very well have been bad medicine.
Their next game was on the road at the #1 team in the country, the University of Arizona. The Wildcats did to CU what the Buffs had done to USC. Arizona raced out to an 18-4 lead before coasting to a 12 point win in which they were never challenged.
Buff fans held out high hopes that the loss to Arizona was to be expected even WITH Dinwiddie in the lineup, and that the 69-57 loss was MUCH better than the 90-65 shellacking the Buffs took last year in Kansas. Fans said the only game the Buffs could expect to win on this trip was against Arizona State in Tempe.
Unfortunately, the Sun Devils exposed the Colorado team to be a rudderless team without a captain to lead them. ASU destroyed the Buffs 72-51. Colorado fell out of the top 25 last week and after the game at ASU, the chances they make it back this year are slim and none.
After starting the season 14-2, Colorado has lost four of the last five. The Buffs now own a record of 15-6 and have ten games remaining in the regular season to see if they can win five and salvage a 20 win season. Two of those games come against Washington State and USC, who are the the only weak basketball links in the Pac-12. (Some might argue that Oregon State belongs in that list, but the Buffs don't play them again anyway).
The rest of the Buffs schedule is much tougher. They can look forward to their next three games being played here in Boulder at the Foam Dome, where they have been very tough to beat since Boyle became the coach. Then it's off to Los Angeles for two games, back to Boulder for two, then they play their last three on the road in Utah and the Bay Area.
Can the Buffs win five of the last ten? Not if they continue to play like they did tonight. Earlier this year, the Buffs set a team record by making ALL 27 free throws in game. Tonight, CU tossed brick after brick from the line and made only 9 of 24. Sadly to say, even if they had made the other 15, they still would have lost.
The next three games will be key for Colorado. If they win all three (and they should be winnable at home), the team has a chance to right the course. Winning even two of the three will be a good sign. If they win one or none, the season is effectively over. Even the NIT will look the other way.
Boyle really needs to evaluate the best and most efficient way to use this team. Maybe they need to run on offense and pressure on defense to take advantage of their athleticism. The problem with the young guys is that if you give them too much time to think, they end up thinking too much and forgetting to play the game.
NOTE: The Buffs have been slipping all over the floor the last several games, going back to the Dinwiddie injury. Maybe CU should be taking a hard look at what shoes they are choosing to wear.
Such is the case with Tad Boyle's Colorado Buffaloes, who have looked lost and clueless as to which way to turn since projected first round NBA pick Spencer Dinwiddie blew out his knee and was lost for the season. Add in that Tre'Shaun Fletcher hurt his knee and is lost for the next couple months, and the Buffs' psyche just added insult to injury.
After Dinwiddie went down with CU enjoying a lead on the road at Washington, the Buffs proceeded to fall apart and lose that game. The shocking loss of one of the best players in the country gave a viable excuse to the Buff faithful. Even the next game, a loss at home to a ranked UCLA team, seemed reasonable as the Buffs looked to retool their game without Dinwiddie.
Thankfully, a bad to mediocre USC team came into town and the Buffs jumped on them early before coasting to a 21 point win. Unfortunately, what the Trojans gave the Buffs may very well have been bad medicine.
Their next game was on the road at the #1 team in the country, the University of Arizona. The Wildcats did to CU what the Buffs had done to USC. Arizona raced out to an 18-4 lead before coasting to a 12 point win in which they were never challenged.
Buff fans held out high hopes that the loss to Arizona was to be expected even WITH Dinwiddie in the lineup, and that the 69-57 loss was MUCH better than the 90-65 shellacking the Buffs took last year in Kansas. Fans said the only game the Buffs could expect to win on this trip was against Arizona State in Tempe.
Unfortunately, the Sun Devils exposed the Colorado team to be a rudderless team without a captain to lead them. ASU destroyed the Buffs 72-51. Colorado fell out of the top 25 last week and after the game at ASU, the chances they make it back this year are slim and none.
After starting the season 14-2, Colorado has lost four of the last five. The Buffs now own a record of 15-6 and have ten games remaining in the regular season to see if they can win five and salvage a 20 win season. Two of those games come against Washington State and USC, who are the the only weak basketball links in the Pac-12. (Some might argue that Oregon State belongs in that list, but the Buffs don't play them again anyway).
The rest of the Buffs schedule is much tougher. They can look forward to their next three games being played here in Boulder at the Foam Dome, where they have been very tough to beat since Boyle became the coach. Then it's off to Los Angeles for two games, back to Boulder for two, then they play their last three on the road in Utah and the Bay Area.
Can the Buffs win five of the last ten? Not if they continue to play like they did tonight. Earlier this year, the Buffs set a team record by making ALL 27 free throws in game. Tonight, CU tossed brick after brick from the line and made only 9 of 24. Sadly to say, even if they had made the other 15, they still would have lost.
The next three games will be key for Colorado. If they win all three (and they should be winnable at home), the team has a chance to right the course. Winning even two of the three will be a good sign. If they win one or none, the season is effectively over. Even the NIT will look the other way.
Boyle really needs to evaluate the best and most efficient way to use this team. Maybe they need to run on offense and pressure on defense to take advantage of their athleticism. The problem with the young guys is that if you give them too much time to think, they end up thinking too much and forgetting to play the game.
NOTE: The Buffs have been slipping all over the floor the last several games, going back to the Dinwiddie injury. Maybe CU should be taking a hard look at what shoes they are choosing to wear.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Mike MacIntyre Era at Colorado Begins with Monster Win over CSU in the Rocky Mountain Showdown
The Colorado Buffaloes took care of business at the Rocky Mountain Showdown and downed the CSU Rams 41-27 at the Broncos' Sponsor of the year at Mile High Stadium. (Yes, I know who the sponsor is. I am not going to give them a plug because everyone knows where I am talking about and I don't think the game should be played in Denver.)
Coach Mike MacIntyre started what (hopefully) will be a long era at CU with a win. Not a big win. Not a very big win. But a monstrously huge and important win. After seven straight losing seasons and coming off the worst season in Colorado football history last season, this win was absolutely needed for the mental well-being of the Buff players.
Colorado had lost eight straight games since their miracle last win against Washington State last year. Some may balk at the "miracle" designation, but with the worst and most disorganized coaching staff in the country last year, winning that one game on the last play after coming from way back in the last half of the fourth quarter had providence written all over it. Mike Leach must be wondering if he is cursed when it comes to CU, because his teams have lost many games to the Buffs that his teams were "supposed" to win.
When MacIntyre was hired as head coach of the Buffs, his biggest challenge was getting inside the heads of his new team. Their confidence was gone. Their game plans were a shambles. In reality, their coaches were in way over their heads and had no idea how to lead a team.
Thus, Mac and staff had to get in and get everyone started from ground zero. They got every player moving in a coordinated effort to improve every aspect of their CU experience. And the coaches only judged them on what they were doing now, this year. And the coaches gave them the opportunity to earn a good place on the depth chart based on the now, and forgetting the past.
MacIntyre and his band of brothers worked hard to rebuild the commitment that each player must have for one another. It was a tough task, and some of the players chose to leave instead of living up to higher expectations. But many of those who decided to stay have been swung over by the enthusiasm and organization that the new coaching staff brought in.
Any holdouts on the team that were still reluctant to buy in whole-heartedly to the new program have now been born again. Seeing the joy on the faces of the young men as they made their way to the student section to sing the CU fight song was a sight to behold.
Seeing the tears in the eyes of MacIntyre as he talked about his father, and the pride and happiness he felt for his players was breathtaking. Mac obviously loves coaching and teaching his team. His commitment is obvious. And his commitment, and that of his staff is contagious and spreading quickly among the players.
After losing a lead due to two long returns, the Buffs had the chance to fold. Last year, it was almost a weekly occurrence due to the lack of leadership. But this year, when their backs were against the wall, they came out swinging and dominated the fourth quarter. We can thank the new coaching staff for instilling the pride again.
I have watched the rise of enthusiasm of the Buff players during fall practice, but that enthusiasm will now be sky high, looming over the flatirons that tower over their practice fields. Those young men now KNOW that they can believe in what their coaches are trying to teach them. Many of them had started to buy in to the new program, and it showed in the win against CSU. But that belief is now becoming FAITH in themselves and each other and their coaches. They have turned the corner to becoming a team in the finest sense of the word.
This team will make the Buff faithful proud. They may not win every game, but their hearts and souls will be committed every step of the way. They will not give up and they will not back down. And every team they play will KNOW they've been in a fight. And every Buff fan should join them, standing shoulder to shoulder, and never giving in, as the Colorado Buffaloes fight for victory.
***********************************
Look for the upcoming post about the players and the game.
Coach Mike MacIntyre started what (hopefully) will be a long era at CU with a win. Not a big win. Not a very big win. But a monstrously huge and important win. After seven straight losing seasons and coming off the worst season in Colorado football history last season, this win was absolutely needed for the mental well-being of the Buff players.
Colorado had lost eight straight games since their miracle last win against Washington State last year. Some may balk at the "miracle" designation, but with the worst and most disorganized coaching staff in the country last year, winning that one game on the last play after coming from way back in the last half of the fourth quarter had providence written all over it. Mike Leach must be wondering if he is cursed when it comes to CU, because his teams have lost many games to the Buffs that his teams were "supposed" to win.
When MacIntyre was hired as head coach of the Buffs, his biggest challenge was getting inside the heads of his new team. Their confidence was gone. Their game plans were a shambles. In reality, their coaches were in way over their heads and had no idea how to lead a team.
Thus, Mac and staff had to get in and get everyone started from ground zero. They got every player moving in a coordinated effort to improve every aspect of their CU experience. And the coaches only judged them on what they were doing now, this year. And the coaches gave them the opportunity to earn a good place on the depth chart based on the now, and forgetting the past.
MacIntyre and his band of brothers worked hard to rebuild the commitment that each player must have for one another. It was a tough task, and some of the players chose to leave instead of living up to higher expectations. But many of those who decided to stay have been swung over by the enthusiasm and organization that the new coaching staff brought in.
Any holdouts on the team that were still reluctant to buy in whole-heartedly to the new program have now been born again. Seeing the joy on the faces of the young men as they made their way to the student section to sing the CU fight song was a sight to behold.
Seeing the tears in the eyes of MacIntyre as he talked about his father, and the pride and happiness he felt for his players was breathtaking. Mac obviously loves coaching and teaching his team. His commitment is obvious. And his commitment, and that of his staff is contagious and spreading quickly among the players.
After losing a lead due to two long returns, the Buffs had the chance to fold. Last year, it was almost a weekly occurrence due to the lack of leadership. But this year, when their backs were against the wall, they came out swinging and dominated the fourth quarter. We can thank the new coaching staff for instilling the pride again.
I have watched the rise of enthusiasm of the Buff players during fall practice, but that enthusiasm will now be sky high, looming over the flatirons that tower over their practice fields. Those young men now KNOW that they can believe in what their coaches are trying to teach them. Many of them had started to buy in to the new program, and it showed in the win against CSU. But that belief is now becoming FAITH in themselves and each other and their coaches. They have turned the corner to becoming a team in the finest sense of the word.
This team will make the Buff faithful proud. They may not win every game, but their hearts and souls will be committed every step of the way. They will not give up and they will not back down. And every team they play will KNOW they've been in a fight. And every Buff fan should join them, standing shoulder to shoulder, and never giving in, as the Colorado Buffaloes fight for victory.
***********************************
Look for the upcoming post about the players and the game.
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