by Doug Rutherford | Oct 5, 2018 | 2018
Buff Nation – One-Third Season Summary
Numbers. One-third of the way through this 2018 football season, all is well with ours Colorado Buffaloes. College football is all about the numbers. 4-0, #21, and 19.7 are a few numbers related to the Buffs thus far this season. The Buffs are 4-0, ranked 21st in the country and beating their opponents by an average of 19.7 points. The Buffs have done everything they have been asked to do this season, and have exceeded nearly everyone’s expectations. They are well on their way to a bowl season, are the only undefeated team remaining in the Pac-12 and are a legitimate contenders to win the Pac-12 South and potentially the Pac-12 outright. The only knock against our Buffs (which is ironically beyond their control) is another number, 1-16 The combined record of the opponents CU has played is one win and 16 losses (of course for of those losses came at the hands of the Buffs). Over the course of the next three weeks CU will play its toughest part of the schedule. Three weeks from now, hopefully the numbers will still be kind to the Buffs.
Week Five Review –
Last Friday night under the lights of Folsom in front of a near sell-out “black out” crowd, CU opened up Pac-12 play against the UCLA Bruins. After a tight first half, once again the CU coaching staff proved its worth and made key half-time adjustments. In the second half, CU outscored UCLA 24 to 3 to win their fourth game going away 38-16. With the victory, the Buffs exercised the first of (hopefully) several Pac-12 demons from last season.
Week Six Preview –
Demon #2 from the 2017 season is on the docket for this Saturday. At 2PM, CU takes on the Arizona State Sundevils, in what will prove to be a true Pac-12 South showdown. Both teams have a high-flying offense and solid wins under their belt. The difference in this game will be CU’s run defense which will prove stout and the speed of CU’s outside backers (#32 and #20) to contain the edge. One other interesting battle to watch will be CU’s O-line. CU will be starting a red-shirt freshman at left tackle. If Will Sherman can hold serve against a battery of tough opponents over the coming weeks, CU biggest question going into the season will be answered for years to come. All season CU has beaten the teams which they have been on their schedule. On Saturday, CU will beat its first team of the season with a winning record, a formidable opponent and in doing so will keep climbing in the rankings cracking into the top 15. This game will be close through three quarters, but the ASU defense will eventually yield to Montez and one of the best receiving corps in America.
Go Buffs (and Rockies)!
Doug
by Doug Rutherford | Sep 13, 2018 | 2018
Buff Nation –
Week Two Review –
CU 33, NE 28. Yup, that’s a correct score. Victory in Lincoln. It doesn’t happen very often (the last time was 2004). Amidst a sea of 90,000 Nebraska fans dressed in Red, a prodigal son type atmosphere for the debut of Coach Scott Frost, and a Nebraska team that is big, talented and ready to set the record straight, the CU Buffs and it’s 5,000 wayward fans pulled out an unlikely and quite amazing victory.
After starting fast with 14 points off two turnovers, the Buffs survived multiple body blows to stay close entering the fourth quarter. Half-time adjustments by CU’s coaching staff and a team first attitude by the Buffs kept the game tight. As the game wore on, Husker Nation (in my opinion the best fans in College football), began to sense there was a game to be played, and CU fans began to sense we had weathered the storm and there was a game to be won. Out of section 20 in the upper end zone of Memorial Stadium (a bucket list visit) where the Buff Nation was relegated, cheers of “Buffaloes, Buffaloes, Go CU!” carried to neighboring sections and caused heads to turn. It was surreal.
In the fourth quarter alone, there were three missed field goals, an interception, three fourth down attempts and a 40-yard TD for the ages (see video attached). No one, on either side of the field, wanted to punt the ball. In the end, CU finished strong when it counted most.
At its best, this win is the signature win CU needs to blow the roof off of this season (similar to the win at OR in ’16) and for years to come. At its worst (if there is such a thing), this win brings us one step closer to bowl eligibility. My guess is we are closer to the former. This season is shaping up to be special. Buckle your seat belts, we are in for an awesome ride.
Week Three Preview – Every once in a while, an FBS (college football’s top level) team loses to an FCS (college football’s second level) team. Every six years (2006, 2012) CU finds a way to take on this dubious honor. This Saturday the FCS University of New Hampshire come to Folsom. CU is paying the school $400,000 to come to Boulder to get beat up (that’s how FCS schools make their money and how FBS schools rack up non-conference W’s, so they can become bowl eligible). There is no way UNH wins this game. It will be 21-0 before the first quarter is over. UNH’s only legit player is their QB Trevor Knight (cool name) and he probably won’t be cleared in time to play this Saturday. CU wins this game by 50 and all CU’s reserve players will be playing in the fourth quarter. Unlike 2006 and 2012, CU is way too good to let an FCS team hang with them. Without Knight, UNH has surprisingly lost their first two games. Beating CU would absolutely make UNH’s season. It would be the single greatest victory in their school history. CU, while riding a high after beating it’s in-state rival CSU and their best (former) divisional rival Nebraska, in back to back weeks, better be ready to start fast in this game (which they will), and not let the Wildcats of New Hampshire believe they have a chance to make history.
At the end of the day this Saturday, CU will be 3-0 and 50% of its way to Bowl Bound or Bust.
Go Buffs!
Doug
by Doug Rutherford | Aug 31, 2018 | 2018
Buff Nation,
Welcome back to another season of Colorado Buffaloes football. When CU kicks off its 2018 season tonight against CSU, last year’s miserable 5-7, underachieving season will be behind us. Nobody is high on CU being any good this year. A decade long bowl drought leading up to the ’16 season and then and a poor showing last year has folks taking a wait and see approach to see whether CU is a pretender or a contender.
A lot rides on this season. Fail to win six games (i.e. bowl eligible), and odds are we will have a new head coach on the sidelines next season. Six wins is the minimum. Seven wins and we are respectable. Eight or more and the Buffs are back, this time for good. The key to CU’s season will be getting out of the gates early (game by game predictions below). Three of CU’s coveted six wins are within the first four game.
The good news is CU has the talent, the schedule (favorable home games, no Oregon or Stanford), and a Pac-12 South conference which is not as strong as it was last season (three QB now in NFL, three new head coaches) to be competitive in all its games.
It all starts tonight. This season is going to be epic. The whole off-season CU has held the mantra, “nothing to say, a lot to prove.” They have played their cards close to the chest. Tonight, we get to see what kind of cards we have been dealt and how well we play those cards.
Go Buffs!
Doug
2018 CU Football Season Preview
August 31, CSU (Mile High Stadium)
It’s true that CU cannot overlook CSU. While CSU got beat at home by Hawaii last week, the Rams offense is something to be taken seriously and this is a rivalry game. Okay, with that out of the way, the beat down we were expecting CU to place on CSU last year will occur this year. There isn’t a single player on the Rams who could start on the Buffs. Although CSU has the advantage with a game under their belt, and CU will be playing a lot of new faces, CU will score on more possessions than not. CU wins by 21. CU 1-0
September 8, @ Nebraska
This game is going to be a slugfest and while CU may wind up on the losing end, Michael Porter’s theory of competition tells us that CU needs to be able compete in tough games like these if they are to compete in the Pac-12. Since I am driving the 7 hours to Lincoln to witness the clash, I am predicting a win by the Buffs. NE will be too high on their first-year cure for the common cold coach, and CU has too much to prove to be intimidate by a sea of 90,000 fans wearing red who literally have nothing else to cheer for between Saturday games. CU somehow finds a way to win this game, if for no other reason than it is such a long and boring drive to get there and even longer if one gets embarrassed. CU-2-0
September 15, New Hampshire
Life is beautiful. CU returns to Boulder (literally the best place in the world) to make its home game debut against the Division IAA New Hampshire Wildcats on a beautiful Fall afternoon. While the UNH is an excellent team (ranked nationally in IAA polls and return 18 starters), they are not Pac-12 caliber, and CU is no longer one of those programs which is constantly at risk of laying an egg. This game should be nearly over by half-time. The talent and speed of the buffs is simply too much for the UNH Wildcats. Buff Nation is satisfied. Most of the student body didn’t show up until the second quarter anyway (drinking) and don’t return after halftime (drinking). CU 3-0
September 28, UCLA
Ah, the swing game of the season. Under the Friday night lights of Folsom Field, CU wipes that smug look off the Bruins’ face. Josh Rosen isn’t around anymore and CU extracts revenge for last season’s loss. Montez and his top-shelf receiving corp lites up the UCLA secondary and the CU Defense their stride under second year coach DJ Eliot. CU wins handsomely. CU is 4-0 for the first time since 1995. Boulder goes nuts. CU students (most who weren’t even at the game) would happily light some couches on fire, but they are too young to remember that used to be a thing. CU 4-0
October 6, Arizona State
While they have experienced tremendous success thus far, and surpassed everyone’s expectation, it is ASU which bugs them. It was the ASU game last year on the road that was probably the most heartbreaking loss of the season (okay, maybe it was AZ). CU had the game. They literally dropped the ball. CU doesn’t let that happen again, and CU turns in yet another victory at home. It has become clear that this year’s receiving corp is hungrier and more talented than last years (which graduated three players into the NFL). CU 5-0
October 13, @ USC
CU still gets a little weak in the knees when it comes to playing USC. The USC proves a bit too much for CU to handle and gets to QB Montez early. A costly turnover disheartens CU. CU plays tough for three quarters to no avail and then sort of bails on the effort. They are secretly please to be 5-1 and perhaps even a little satisfied. Time for Coach Mac and Coach Eliot to coach them up on the flight home. CU 5-1
October 20, @ Washington
Washington is the best team CU is going to play all year. Playing WA on the road is a butt kicking waiting to happen. Under CU can find five monster offensive lineman to start at the same time, CU will struggle to win in the trenches against teams like WA. CU tries hard, but WA has its sights on a National Championship and doesn’t have time for CU to hang around. CU 5-2
October 27, Oregon State
One more win and CU is bowl eligible (and everyone gets to keep their jobs). Oregon State is the perfect opponent at the perfect time. CU thrashes OSU, playing its finest game of the season to date. Buff Nation takes a collective sign of relief. Buff Nation can now turn its sights to something other than the lowest common denominator. For the rest of the season, the Buffs are playing for the seniors as well as all those 4 and 5-star recruits that would really love to commit to Boulder, but just need a little more evidence that what is happening in Boulder is the real deal. CU 6-2
November 2, @ Arizona
CU’s season effectively ended last year when they awoke the sleeping giant by the name of Khalil Tate, Arizona’s (then) back-up QB. This year, Khalil is a Heisman trophy leading candidate. While teams now have tape of him, this is still a tough match-up for CU. Tate has another big day against the Buffs and CU loses for the third time in a month. This is game CU could have won. The emotional scars and embarrassment from last year’s game are still not fully healed. CU 6-3
November 10, Washington St.
The weather is beginning to turn in Boulder and folks are starting to turn their sights to the slopes. For Buff Nation, there are only two home games remaining. How sad. For all practical purposes the season has been a success. Outside of one half against USC and potentially a game which slipped away against AZ, the Buffs have performed well. Still, we need one or two more wins to put the stamp of approval on this season. Washington St offers up just that opportunity. A worthy opponent for sure, a victory here would legitimize CU’s 2018 season. Thankfully, CU agrees and complies. Skiing can wait. This season is still going on. CU 7-3
November 17, Utah
In a brawl on Folsom Field in near Winter is coming temps, Utah comes out on top for CU’s first loss at home all season. While heartbreaking, CU played hard and never laid down. No moral victories, but CU knows they have a lot left in the tank to finish the season strong and go bowling. Both teams also realize they will be seeing each other in the Pac-12 South championship game next season. Both teams are on the rise and staked with young talent. CU 7-4
November 24, @ California
California continues to be on the mend and CU takes advantage. Behind their two-headed running attack of Kyle Evans and Travon McMillian, CU grinds out a win to secure an ever elusive Pac-12 road victory. CU finishes off a hard-fought regular season and now eagerly awaits their bowl announcement. Happy days are here again. CU 8-4
Bowl Prediction: Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX. December 31, 2018.
Past Weekly Recaps
9/3/18 – CU Football 2018: Week One Review / Week Two Preview – Seeing Red
Week One Review
Well, that was the smackdown we were looking for. The CU team that took the field this past Friday against the CSU Rams was as big, fast and competitive as I have seen since the Buff glory years of 1990s. Hope is percolating. It was amazing to see so many new names (Abrams, Lang, Landman, Israel, McMillian, Mustafa and Shenault) seamlessly playing along household names (Montez, Gamboa, Lewis, Worthington, ,Fischer and MacIntyre). CU also came ready to play (not always the case). How good CU is vs how bad CSU was will be revealed in week two.
Week Two Preview
CU travels to Lincoln this week to take on the (once) hated Nebraska Cornhuskers. This is the perfect game for CU. CU is rolling while NE literally has not gotten started. After all the pomp and circumstance of opening day and a two-hour weather delay, NE’s week one game was canceled. Unfortunately, CU now doesn’t have any tape of Nebraska’s offense or defense, but Nebraska also doesn’t have the opportunity for improve from game one to game two (where the most improvement takes place), before taking on the Buffs. This will be a hard fought game that comes down to the last possession. CU is full of confidence (and talent), and while NE remains an enigma, CU will come into Lincoln, steal a victory and will have the Boulder Flatirons in their sites while all the NE fans will be seeing is red.
by Doug Rutherford | Nov 25, 2017 | 2017
Buff Nation –
When CU and Utah joined the Pac-12 in 2011, there was a bit of apprehension on the part of the CU fan base (and probably Utah), about the forced relationship. The rest of the Pac-12 schools already had someone they could point to as their rival. Washington had WA St., UCLA had USC, Arizona had AZ. St, Stanford had Cal and Oregon had OR. St. The idea was CU and Utah would become rivals. Close geographic proximity and scheduling the game to be the last game of the regular season would help with that. Seven years into the relationship, the head to head games have been good, but neither side really considers the other their “rival.” That said, games like last year (when the Pac-12 South was on the line) and games like tonight (when a bowl berth is at stake) go a long way to developing that healthy hatred for each other.
Utah is a heavy favorite to win tonight, and CU will need to bring their A game (seen only once this season (against CA)) in order to win. This is CU’s last chance to get it right this season. If they do, somehow, a season of disappointment and violated valued expectations will suddenly have become a success. Make it to a bowl game (which the winner of tonight’s game does) and Buff Nation will be happy. Fail (i.e. lost to Utah) and the season will be looked upon as one of coming up short. CU is stacked with seniors, and CU is coming off a well-timed bye week where some injured players had a chance to get healthy. Utah is coming off of perhaps their best effort of the season in a near loss to WA. This game should be a good one. Both teams will be fighting to salvage their season. Both teams should be playing desperate. Always a recipe for exciting football. This rivalry game may feel more like a manufactured Valentines “holiday” rather than a no doubt Thanksgiving or Christmas event, but give it a few more years with polls and bowls on the line, and this game will begin to hold its own. Buff Nation needs another team to hate. Years of CU/Nebraska must-see football has entrenched red has the most hated collegiate color in Colorado (Black and Silver holds that honor for Sundays). Thankfully Utah also wears red, so if all goes well, Buff fans for generations to come will be seeing Red and experience the joy of healthy hatred.
Go Buffs!
Doug
by Doug Rutherford | Nov 11, 2017 | 2017
Buff Nation –
Last week, in CU’s hour of need, no one was home. CU was up 10 on ASU in the fourth quarter. One could argue CU should have been up 17 if not 24. Still, up by two scores with the ball in the final quarter of the game with bowl eligibility on the line, somehow it all slipped away. When pressed, CU couldn’t sustain a drive. When pressed, CU’s defense couldn’t get off the field. When pressed, CU’s special teams wasn’t so special. When pressed, CU’s coaching chose poorly. Last week, no one was home to fight for CU. It was heartbreaking to see Philip Lindsey with head in hands kneeling on the sidelines in the final seconds as ASU continued to pile up the yards. He knew this loss was going to leave a mark.
Fast forward one week. Tomorrow, twenty-one CU football players will take the field for the final time. This Senior class is special. This class is the first of the MacIntyre era. It was this class that took a chance on Colorado when no one else was. As Freshman this was the class that had to endure a 2-10 season. As Sophomores, they were part of a vastly improved competitive team but still unable to secure wins. As Juniors, these players witness first hand “The Rise” and became Pac-12 South Champs and helped CU football return to the competitive ranks. As Seniors, they are fighting for their lives to become bowl eligible (they need one more win). Yet, win or lose, tomorrow is going to be the last time these seniors will play in front of the crowd at Folsom or run behind Ralphie. Fans will no longer hear the names of Lindsay, Fields, Bobo, Ross, McCartney, and Moeller called over the PA system.
CU will have to play a perfect game (and get a little bit lucky) to beat #11 USC. The Trojans offense will give CU’s defense fits all day. I can’t wait to see how this Senior class fights. I can’t wait to see how the underclassman fight for their seniors. USC is clearly the better team. They are one of the best in the country. CU, on the other hand, can be dangerous. This could be a trap game for USC (USC plays their cross-town rival UCLA next week so perhaps they are looking past CU). Win or lose these seniors deserve a standing ovation at the end of the game. It’s been a heck of a road back for the CU program, and while the final outcome of this year still weighs in the balance, the leadership and character these players have displayed have left the CU program a much stronger and more respected program than when they arrived. Plan to arrive early. Plan to stay until the end. These players deserve that much.
Go Buffs!
Doug
