CU’s Coach is fond of saying, “No conflict, No story.” It’s our conflicts that make our stories. This morning the Buffs have a story. A signature program win that will mark, for years to come, when the CU Football program made it’s turn. It is a sweet moment. Last night I felt like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” This morning the air was crisper, runners were (even) more friendly, and the atmosphere smacked of wonder and possibility.
It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s been a long time. It’s been a series of conflicts. I distinctly remember sitting with my dad at Folsom Field in the waning seconds of the CU / OR game on October 21, 2011. Final score was 45 to 2, but it wasn’t even that close. It never was. OR played their second and third stringers the entire second half. It was embarrassing. CU’s starting secondary consisted of 3 freshman, 1 red-shirt freshman and 1 sophomore. Those guys weren’t even that good as seniors. All the fans were either gone, leaving, or didn’t even bother to show. My brother – who was an All-American football player at Navy – left at half. He can’t stand to watch poorly played football. On one play alone, the Buffs had two personal penalties. They had no clue. It was a waste of time for all there. In spite of it all, it was a significant moment. A singular moment in time to acknowledge where we were, where we are now, and where we want to go. I turned to my dad and told him we should stay. We should stay until the very end of the game, because some day, when we are awesome once again, we can say we were there… when it sucked. It took a lot longer than I thought it would (1,799 days to be exact). Today is that day. The program has turned.
But the win last night is not good enough. 1,799 days is too long to wait for an awesome win. Now that we have that win, we want more. We want to be great. Being great means winning often, over a long period of time.
Watching last week’s Michigan game on recording, I LOVED how the Michigan players came out of the tunnel, jumping to touch their “Go Blue” banner stretched across the field. I loved how 110,000 fans packed the stadium to see a victory. I love how Michigan is always a great team. That’s what we want in Boulder. We want teams to dread coming to play at altitude. We want teams to dread coming to Boulder, because they know they are going to lose. I want teams to dread coming to Boulder, because they know the stadium is going to be packed with fans who are passionate about the Buffs, but respectful of the tradition of great college football. We’ve waited so long for that signature program win, but now that we have it, we want more.
CU is good. They are really good. This season could be something special. Going into the game against OR, we had several questions that remained unanswered. This morning there is only one: How good can this team really be? I’m excited for the answer.
In football it’s about winning, and winning over an extended period of time. Starting this Saturday at Folsom Field at 12:30 PM, CU will begin to (re)establish that tradition of greatness for CU fans, and dread for their opponents. There will be a critical mass of those on this thread who will be at the game, doing our part. CU football will show and do theirs. Folsom field better be sold out. If not, there is still work for us to do to raise the awareness of “The Rise.” Come sundown Saturday, CU will be 4-1, and sitting two games away from becoming bowl eligible. It is a wonderful life.
The link below if for us. It is for next week’s game. It’s for this season. It’s for next season. It’s for the game 1,799 days from now. Welcome to the fight!
Last Saturday around 2:30 PM MT, on a beautiful Fall Boulder day at Pleasant View Soccer Fields, the tectonic plates of my life were about to snap into place. I was literally running between two soccer games of my kids while listening to the Buffs / Michigan game on the radio. Both my kids were doing well in their games (proud dad), I was living in Boulder (no place better) and the Buffs were all over Michigan (OMG). I couldn’t believe it. We were going to beat #4 Michigan. The Buffs had arrived. We were going to be nationally ranked and Boulder was going to get the collegiate football respect it deserved. Justice was going to be served. My life was complete.
Well, we all know the outcome. Special teams failed us. Our QB got hurt, and a couple other key injuries opened the door for MI to take control. We had it. It was right there. Marlon Brando was right. We could of been somebody. We could of been a contender.
Now, after a week of pondering what could of been, CU travels to OR. Ouch. CU will have either QB2 playing or damaged goods on QB1.. CU lost their kicker for the season, as well as their number one defensive end. Not the news one wants when one is looking to make a leap in the program.
OR is fast, and they will be looking to exploit CU’s defense by getting around the edge (they know Michigan did) If CU can stop that from happening they have a chance. If CU can’t stop OR from getting around the corner, it will be a long day.
Last week at MI, questions were answer. When CU is healthy, they can play with anyone in the Pac-12. They are vastly improved. Questions were also left unanswered. Does CU have the ability to win the big game? Can they win a game they are supposed to lose? And, unfortunately, new questions have been raised. How long before Sefo is 100% healthy again? What is CU going to do about a kicker as well as their special teams? Is CU still the same defense without Derek McCartney locking down one side of the line of scrimmage? Many of these questions will be answered tomorrow. Another week and another opportunity to have this program turn the corner. Maybe, just maybe, we really are somebody (and not just bums).
A few years back, I took my son and nephews to Legoland. On the way out they were talking among themselves saying the day was “as fun as you can get”, and “all the way fun.” Those profound words can also be used to describe the CU tailgating / game events this past Saturday. Great friends, great weather, great football. While I barely missed my prediction of 56-0 (final score was 56-7), CU, for the second week in a row looked precision sharp on Offense and relentlessly unforgiving on Defense.
CU stands at 2-0 on the season and essentially untested in how good they really are. Heading into week 3 CU ranks 9th nationally in Total Offense, 7th in Total Defense, 3rd in Passing Defense, and 2nd (yes, 2nd) in 3rd down conversions. That is simply crazy field productivity. Of course (of course there is an of course), the season remains young, but grows up in a hurry come 1:30 MT tomorrow. The Buffs play #4 Michigan @ the Big House in Michigan. This will be the largest crowed to ever see CU play live (110,000 fans). The last time CU beat a ranked team on the road, was (wait for it) at Michigan in 1994 Miracle in Michigan.
CU is a 20 point underdog for tomorrow’s game. If CU somehow figures out to win (Defense holds Michigan to under three scores, Offense converts on 3rd downs, doesn’t allow MI to substitute personnel on defense, and wins time of possession), Buff Nation will explode, CU will be ranked in the top 25 and we are looking at sell outs at Folsom field the rest of the season. In reality, keeping the loss to under two touchdowns will be still be a “moral” victory, and CU will still know the Rise is real. Should be an awesome, tough, hard fought game. CU is confident and good. MI is better and has home field advantage. Can’t wait.
For those planning the next CU home outing, the Buffs return to Folsom Field on October 1 against Oregon St. Kickoff is TBA.
That was awesome. That was a beat down. While it’s only one game and the season is still in it’s infancy, the suggested promise of what was put on display last night at Mile High Stadium is worthy of buying. CU looked like a different team. Bigger, tougher, faster, more disciplined. Their defense which boosts 9 returning starters was stifling. CSU did not find the endzone until the beginning of the Fourth quarter (the game was long over by then).
Yet, as good as the defense was, it was the new, high tempo no huddle offense which was the biggest surprise of the night. Several questions were answered early on. Can CU establish a running game. Check. Is Sefo healthy? Check. Is the highly touted receiving core as good as advertised? Check. Swing passes, pitch outs, and spread options were on display the whole night. CSU never figured it out. The 44-7 dismantling was the most dominate performance in this in-state rivalry in the past 15 years. Perhaps CU has indeed made the turn on its program and competitive college football has returned to Boulder.
Now, for chapter 2 of the season. Game #2 is next Saturday 9/10 at Folsom Field. Kickoff is at 3:30. Tailgate starts at 12:30 at St. Aiden’s church and will begin to wind down at 2:30. All are welcome.
CU will look to go 2-0 on the season playing Idaho State (IS). This should be an easy victory for CU (that sounds weird). Similar to CSU, IS won’t be able to keep pace with CU’s fast pace offense. Their defensive backs won’t be able to cover CU’s receivers. Look for another offensive explosion by the Buffaloes. On the defensive side of the ball, I wouldn’t be surprised if they pitch a shut-out.
More importantly for consideration, there are precious few home CU games. Of these, there are even fewer that are played during the pristine Fall weather. Add in an almost guaranteed Buff victory next Saturday, and game #2 represents a rare combination not to be missed. There is no place better than Folsom Field for a CU Football game on a Fall Saturday. This one is not to be missed. Hope to CU there.
Fellas – it is with profound joy and celebration that I announce CU football season is upon us. I ran into Sefo Liufau (QB for the buffs if you haven’t brushed up on your buff knowledge) at Pei Wei a couple nights ago. I told him he was going to do great things this year and that we would be bowling come season end (Buffs need to win 6 games to be bowl eligible). Projections below.
CU’s first game is Friday September 2 at 6PM at Mile High Stadium. Gates open at 2PM.
I will be there when they open to secure a tailgate spot in C lot (SW section of Stadium). We will have flags, balloons, beers, brats and a Christmas morning/open day/all is possible attitude. Let me know if you plan to come early. It will be one of the best “anything is possible” few hours we will have all season. We need to get out in front of this season early.
While we can’t control what happens on the field, CU is significantly better than years past. They are stacked on defense and will have one of the top half defenses in the Pac-12. They are loaded at running back and receiver. Their O-line is a bit suspect and untested (as well as their tightends) but they have several experience players returning as well as two key guys who went down early last year and missed the rest of the season. That said, everything rest on the shoulders of Sefo Liufau our three year returning starting QB. Known for holding 75 CU school records, but also only winning 10 total games as a starter, Sefo tends to throw an interception at critical points in the game. Four or five plays last year would of translated into three more victories. The Buffs are that close. I feel my pep talk to him at Pei Wei will be the deciding factor.
2016 Season Predictions:
1) CU vs. CSU – September 2. CU stubbles a bit out of the blocks vs CSU. The score is close at half. Buffs fans are panicking. Rams fans are ecstatic (and bombed). Buffs make half-time adjustments. CU shuts out Rams in second half. Buffs win by 10+ points. Buffs 1-0
2) CU vs. Idaho St. – September 10 – CU destroys Idaho St. Second year in a row where CU soundly beats a team they are supposed to soundly beat. A step in the right direction. Buffs 2-0
3) CU @ Michigan – September 17. CU travels to the big house and plays MI tough for three quarters but ultimately loses to a better team. Buffs 2-1
4) CU @ Oregon – September 24. CU travels to OR. They fall behind early (still intimidated by the OR lore), fight back, but ultimately lose. Buffs 2-2
5) CU vs. OR St. – October 1. CU returns to the soon to be hallowed grounds of Folsom Field and win a tough battle against OR St. Buffs 3-2
6) CU @ USC – October 8. Buffs go on the road and lose handily to USC. Buffs 3-3
7) CU vs. ASU – October 15. Buffs return to Folsom feeling they left a lot on the field at USC. They are done with excuses. Now is the time. Win or shut down the program. CU comes out guns ablazin’ and beats ASU the elusive signature win the Buffs have been looking for. Boulder goes crazy. Pac-12 is put on notice that they will need to find another doormat. CU is indeed on the rise. Buffs 4-3.
8) CU @ Stanford – October 22. Buffs are riding a high going into Stanford. Buffs play tough, but Stanford is simply better and they have the future Heisman Trophy winner Christian McCaffery who is impossible to stop in clutch situation. Buffs lose, but somehow, given how their season is going, the feel emboldened. They have turned the corner. They may have lost to Stanford, but they know, that Stanford knows that game was not fun. Buffs 4-4.
9) CU vs. UCLA – November 3 (Thursday) – After a well deserved bye week, the Buffs come out and secure their second signature win in three weeks by beating UCLA at Folsom field. The Bruins came in scared. They knew they escape the jaws of defeat the last two seasons against the Buffs. Word has spread that Folsom is not a fun place to play. Air is thin, environment (Flatirons, Girls) is distracting, and the Buffs seem pissed off. Demons are being exorcised left and right, and the Buffs feel entitled to this season being theirs. Buffs beat UCLA in on national tv Thursday night game, in a hard fought, fundamentally sound game from both teams. The game is won on strength. Not turnovers or trick plays. The Pac-12 points to this game showing this is what you get when you come play for the Pac-12. The Buffs point to this game for all national recruits to see from their couch at home. Because of this exposure, the Buffs pull in a top 25 recruiting 2018 class several months later. Buffs 5-4.
10) CU @ Arizona – November 12. The Buffs hit the road against AZ. They can’t handle the recent success. AZ feels CU is getting too much coverage. CU loses in Tucson. Buffs 5-5.
11 & 12) CU vs. WA St – November 19, CU vs. Utah – November 26. The remaining two game of the season are both at Folsom (the greatest place on earth). The Buffs need to win one of two to become bowl eligible. We will be there for both in full force. Competitive soccer season is over so there are no competing priorities. Boulder is in a frenzy led by a victory starved drunk student body. This is college football at its finest (outside of SEC games). The Buffs are back. They win one of these games and are invited to a bowl. They win their bowl game. They finish the season in the middle of the Pac-12. The following year (2017) they finish the season in the Top 25. The following year (2018) they finish the season in the Top 10. Pundits point to 10/15 and 11/3 as key milestone dates when CU bullied their way into football conversation consideration. Buffs 6-6.
Post Season – Buffs are invited to play in the Cactus Bowl in Tempe AZ on Tuesday. December 27, 2016. The perfect road-trip for CU fans. The bowl victory (over opponent to TBA) caps one of the most exciting CU football seasons in the last 15 years. The fan base is truly satisfied and approaches the 2017 season with cautious optimism. Top-shelf college football has returned to Boulder, Trump is going to win big (and fast) against ISIS. All is right with the world. Oh yeah, and the Broncos repeat as world champs. Who has it better than us? No one.
