“If you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth! But you gotta be willing to take the hits.”
– Rocky Balboa
Buff Nation –
The Buffs pulled a Cougar late Saturday night against Kansas State by holding on too tight, clutching defeat from the jaws of victory. All dressed up in Gold and nowhere to go, Buff Nation would have to wait before they enter the upper echelon of the nation’s ranked opponents.
Yet, even with the loss, the Buffs are 4-2 at the mid-point of the 2024 season. Competitive in all but one of their games this season, the Buffs have proven they don’t suck anymore. In all probability, they will also make a bowl game. Yet, now “just” a bowl game seems hollow. It seems only fine. It feels like there is more on the table, and it’s time go out and get what they are worth. The opportunity before them will disappear soon.
The Buffs are at a tipping point in the season between good and great. Win at AZ and the Buffs roll through the rest of their schedule (more or less), but definitely find themselves in a Big XXII conference footrace with an upper tier bowl game as a consolation prize. Lose, and the Buffs will be chasing middling achievement for the remainder of the season.
Every week, millions tune in to see what the Buffs are up to. Coach Prime continues to capture the attention of the nation. What is it worth to have one of the best players in the country in Travis Hunter and arguably the best college QB in Shedeur Sanders as teammates? What is the legacy, the leave behind, the residual effect? How will 2024 be remembered? It’s time for the Buffs to switch to guns and buzz the tower on this season.
In their strong to quite strong performance against UCF just prior to their bye week, the CU Buffs gave notice that they were ready to step into the Buff Nation circle of trust.
This was the Buff team we had been hoping for. A strong run game to compliment the passing attack, and a strong rush defense to compliment the skilled secondary. Yeah, we see you Buffs. We see you.
Yet, Buff Nation, more than most, know that love hurts. We know love leaves scars and just because we bruise on the inside, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there. We cannot be blamed for proceeding with caution.
One quality win is an anomaly, and two is a tread. Come Saturday night, under the (late) lights of Folsom field, those who are still awake in America, will see Folsom Field as electric as it has ever been. After an all-day pre-game/kick-back/dardy (“day party” for those who don’t have the college vernacular down) 50,000 fans wearing gold apparel will fill Folsom to capacity for the “Gold Rush” pivotal game of the season.
Beat #18 Kansas State and the entire ceiling of how high this football club can climb will be ripped off. No longer will success be limited to bowl qualification. A 5-1 record has not been seen in these parts since 2001. With that type of record, and that type of momentum, pun aside, a win will move the goal post of success further out. We will begin to talk of conference championships and… (inside voice) playoffs.
Come early Sunday morning, Buff Nation will know if that win over UCF, which provided so much hope was 24K Magic or if we are just living in a fool’s paradise.
“We are on the way, not to compete but to win. Not to show up but to show out. Not to be among the rest but to be the absolute best.”
Coach Prime (Introductory Press Conference – 12/4/2022)
Buff Nation –
Coach Prime was hired over 650 days ago to turn this Colorado program around. A third of the way through the 2024 season the Buffs are 3-1, but it wasn’t easy, and that was the softer part of the schedule. Come this Saturday, the Buffs play on the road against undefeated University of Central Florida. The Knights boast the top rushing offense in the nation and are a 14-point favorite. Given CU’s inability to protect the quarterback, no one is expecting CU to win.
The Buffs may not have the best team, but they have the best player (#12) and one of the best QB’s (#2), and the best receiving corps in the nation. Coach Prime has often said he is a man that needs to be needed. I guess that can apply to all of us but come Saturday we need Coach Prime to deliver on his first major win of the season. To quote Fatboy Slim, a victory right here, right now would bring this program full circle and into the conference championship conversation. If CU wants to be taken seriously, they need to make the weight. It’s time to win a game they are projected to lose.
After nearly a two decades wandering in the wilderness, the Buffs are still on a vision quest, trying to find their way back to championship football. The 52,000 Buff Nation faithful who packed Folsom last Saturday in the pouring rain are evidence that the Buffs are not alone on this journey. A win on Saturday would be two miracles in as many weeks, and catapult CU’s season into one Coach Prime talked about all those days ago at his news conference.
“Whoa, we’re halfway there. Oh-oh, livin’ on a prayer.”
– Bon Jovi
Buff Nation –
I hope you stayed. Be it in the stands or in your living room, I hope you stayed. Every three decades the Buffs win (tie) on a Hail-Mary pass. First it was the Miracle in Michigan, and this past Saturday night it was the Finish at Folsom.
The moment was an instant ESPN classic. The rain poured down, and the fans poured onto the field (twice). The moment forever part of CU football lore. It was awesome.
The Buffs are 3-1 and halfway to bowl eligibility (Bon Jovi would be proud). There is no clear lead horse in the Big XXII. As long as CU keeps improving (O-line still way too sketchy) and #12 and #2 remain healthy, CU will be in contention for that elusive bowl bid.
Regarding #12, In the 134-year history of Colorado football, there has never been a player like Travis Hunter. With all due respect to Rashaan Salaam who won the Heisman in 1994, and a few other notables, Travis Hunter is 1 of 1. It’s not marketing. It’s not spin. It’s real. He is not to be taken for granted. Perhaps we’ll see him do kickoffs since we don’t have anyone on the team that can reach the endzone.
Here we go Buff fans. Take my hand, and we’ll make it. I swear.
“Success isn’t owned, it’s leased, and rent is due every day.”
– JJ Watt
Buff Nation –
The Triple Crown, Neptune’s Trident, The Holy Trinity. All around us number three is held in high esteem. Tomorrow, under what will be a rainy night, the Colorado Buffaloes seek their third win of the season in their Big XXII home opener against the Baylor Bears (6PM Kickoff / 3:30 Tailgate).
There aren’t too many games on the schedule in which CU will be favored to win (Cincy, Kansas), but this is one of them, and the Buffs would be wise to take advantage.
A third win for the Buffs would get them to the mid-way point of bowl eligibility with two-thirds of the season remaining. Bowl eligibility (arguably) is the benchmark for the 2024 Buffs. Get there and all is well. Miss out (failure to get to six wins) and tough questions will be asked (Coach Prime may choose not just to answer them). Fun fact – bowl eligibility will also be necessary for Travis Hunter to be considered for the Heisman. No Heisman since Paul Hornung (1969) has ever been awarded to a player on a losing team.
The good news is the Buffs looked like they took a big step forward in their dominating 28-9 victory over the CSU Rams last Saturday night. The O-line blocked well, Frosh running back Micah Welch showed promises of a run game (strong correlation), and the linebackers (Bentley, Hill-Green and Woods) all balled out. But now it’s back to work. Rent is due.
So, rain or shine, it’s Prime time Saturday night. Let’s see if Travis knows how to do the Griddy in the rain. Multiple times is preferred.
