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
by Doug Rutherford | Nov 3, 2017 | 2017
Buff Nation –
What a day! What a game! Every once in awhile it all comes together for those who are in attendance. This past Saturday the CU Offense, the CU Defense and the Colorado weather all combined to create the most memorable and enjoyable home game of the season. Yoda would have been proud. There was no trying. There was only doing. Man, if CU plays that way for the rest of the season, good things are in store for Buff Nation.
The Buffs have three more regular season games on its schedule. CU needs to figure out how to win one of those games (@ASU, USC, @Utah) to secure their second consecutive bowl berth. All three games will be tough to win, but all three are winnable. This year the Pac-12 has quickly become a conference of parity. Wa. St. crushed CU. CA crushed Wa. St. CU crushed CA.
CU has finally hit its stride. Tomorrow night’s contest against a good ASU team will go a long way in determining how good this team really is. Buff Nation was in despair (disgust?) after the Wa. St beat down a couple weeks ago. Hope springs eternal now. Look for the Buffs to ride QB Montez and his newly found A-game to beat the Sun Devils and have bowl eligibility wrapped up before we all roll our clocks back an hour and enjoy a little extra sleep knowing in our hearts that the rise is real.
Go Buffs!
Doug
by Doug Rutherford | Oct 27, 2017 | 2017
Buff Nation –
Clearly, this is not the season we were looking for. Coming on the heels of a not-soon–to-be-forgotten breakout (Cinderella?) season, this season has fallen far short of expectations. Unlike last year in which every game was a display of top-shelf football and a fan just kind of had the feeling CU would win, every game this season has seemed to be a grind, a struggle, a chore (duty?) to watch.
That said, to use the old cliché’, “It is what it is.” Regardless of how we got here, what the CU football team does next is the most important thing. At noon tomorrow, CU (4-4) takes on the California Bears (4-4). A win will put the Buffs one victory away from being bowl eligible with three games remaining (a team needs six wins to qualify for a postseason bowl berth). At this point in the season, earning a bowl berth is the goal. A bowl will allow CU to keep practicing after the regular season ends. This provides valuable reps for the underclassman. A second straight bowl berth will begin to instill in the player’s psyche that playing in bowls is what CU does. A bowl berth also affords CU invaluable natural exposure for potential recruits. There is still a lot on the line for this year’s Buff team. To not go to a bowl game this season will clearly be a step back for the CU program.
Regardless which QB will starts (Coach MacIntyre has not yet made his decision), the CU offense has to step up. They have six starting seniors. One of them is going to have to make a play when it is needed most tomorrow. The CU defense has yet to find it’s identity. They are getting better, but time is running out. One of the underclassmen will have to take on the leadership role. Playing at home in front of a friendly crowd and a beautiful Fall afternoon in the greatest place in the world has the recipe for victory. At the end of the day, CU will be with be one win away from starting a streak of consecutive bowl seasons for the first time in twelve years. As a famous warrior once said. “Do. Or Do Not. There is No Try.“
Go Buffs!
Doug
by Doug Rutherford | Oct 21, 2017 | 2017
Buff Nation,
On a cold, rainy, windy night in Pullman, Washington, the CU Buffs salvaged their season, found their identity and reestablished themselves as contenders in the Pac-12. At least, that is one possible outcome for tonight’s 8:45 PM ESPN game when the CU Buffs take on the #15 Washington State Cougars. The forecast calls for foul weather. That will match the Cougars’ mood as they chomp at the bit to redeem themselves after an embarrassing loss to Cal last week. That will also match the mood the Buffs have regarding their entire season. Eight weeks in and CU has yet to find its identity.
Tonight CU will find out who they are. They are Phillip Lindsey, CU’ all-time leader in career all-purpose yards. The three-year captain, out of Denver South High School is Colorado’s native son. He represents all that is good in football – on and off the field. CU rides Lindsey when nothing is working and when everything is working. Over the course of the last couple seasons, my kids have crossed paths with Lindsey at least a handful of times. Every time he has slowed down to see them, to take pictures and to smile. I’m not even sure he knows he’s doing it. Tonight in Pullman, CU will go where Lindsay takes them. He is the best CU has to offer.
The Pac-12 is a tough well-balanced league. Anyone can beat anyone on any given Saturday. Tonight CU goes in as a heavy 10-point underdog. Look for CU to go to Lindsay early and often. Lindsay will do his part. If rest of the CU offense continues to hum like they have over last two weeks (finally) and the defense figures out how to stop the run (please), this match-up has the making of an excellent Pac-12 football at night ball game. Come Sunday am Buff Nation will see how far Lindsay has taken them.
Go Buffs!
Doug
by Doug Rutherford | Oct 12, 2017 | 2017
Buff Nation –
What a mess. On a perfect Fall evening at Folsom field, Buff Nation turned out in force (family weekend), the Buffs offense (finally) found their groove back, yet it was all for not as the CU defense didn’t have a clue how to stop Arizona’s back-up (yup, back-up) QB. It was hard to watch and even harder to stomach. It was almost like the CU Defense missed the bus and a local high school stepped in to do their best in Pac-12 play. It didn’t look fair.
In my kid’s school, there is a concept of retaking a test for “meaningful corrections.” Basically, if the student didn’t do well the first time, they can retake the test to improve their grade. I guess the point is to make sure the student understands the concepts and not to blown up the kids grade due to a single moment of bad performance. CU needs to make some “meaningful corrections” or this season is going to blow up in our face. Not only is the Pac-12 championship now a pipe dream, even becoming bowl eligible is now in question. Bottom line is CU is too talented a team to be sitting on the sidelines come bowl season. We’ve wallowed in that waiting room before and we are not going back.
Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”. Yeah, 2017 is not turning out the way we had hope. Yeah, the season isn’t over yet and the Buffs can still make a miraculous comeback (an eternal optimist), but “the Rise” is not about the 2017 (or 2016) season. It’s about having the courage to do what it takes to get to the next level. This coming Saturday at Oregon State, the Buffs have a chance to put into action the courage it takes to be a championship football team. Let’s see if they have the courage to put the past behind them and start of new chapter in Buff Nation lore.
Go Buffs!
Doug
