“We just simply, truly don’t know how to win yet.” Coach Prime (post-game Arizona press conference)
Buff Nation –
Winning is an art form which is a byproduct of being competitive. While the latter doesn’t guarantee the former, it’s the former that is the ultimate measure of success in college football. This past Saturday, CU was once again competitive against a ranked opponent but failed to win, losing by three in the last seconds (34-31). The loss was the third in a row where one could argue CU should have won rather than deserved to lose.
In his fifth century BC military treatise – The Art of War – Sun Tzu calls out several aspects of a military campaign a general should consider before and during battle. One of those aspect is the ability to observe and adapt. Of all the aspects of the game which are most frustrating about these Buffs, is the ability to perform at a high-level at the end of the game. Essentially garnering everything which has been exposed and learned during the game and leverage that information to secure a victory.
Thankfully, the season is not yet over, and CU has another opportunity to impose their will. Similar to CU, their next opponent, Washington State, has been struggling of late. Both these teams will be looking to stop the hemorrhaging. Even on the road, I believe CU wins this game. Despite the consecutive heartbreaking losses, they will perform. To quote yet another philosopher, that which does not kill you makes you stronger (Nietzsche). CU is not dead yet. Tonight, we will see if they are indeed stronger or if indeed the season ends prematurely without a bowl bid.
Winning is an art form. Some programs have it. Some do not. CU had it for many years and then lost it for many years. These 2023 Buffaloes have shone a light on what winning can look like once again. It’s learning how to win, which remains elusive. It’s an art form. One learned over through hard work and commitment to the trade. For CU, may that hard work and commitment pay off tonight with a victory over the Cougars. Time to make Sun Tzu proud.
“Don’t shove me…I’m tired of being shoved.” Will Kane (High Noon)
Buff Nation –
In 1952, the Academy Award-winning movie High Noon, starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, made its debut. A story about the difficulty of standing one’s ground, especially when all have abandoned you, has been claimed to be the favorite movie of multiple US Presidents, including Harry S Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Bill Clinton (who reportedly showed the movie 17 times during his tenure in the White House). In a movie that plays out in real-time (think Jack Bauer -24), the clock is literally ticking while a noon train filled with a gang of gunslingers brings trouble. In a life-and-death circumstance, the cast of characters vet through their options and ultimately make their final answer.
At (high) noon this Saturday, the almighty (especially next year) Colorado Buffaloes, kick-off their final home game of the season against the upstart Arizona Wildcats. Arizona has beaten three ranked teams consecutively in the last three weeks earning their own top-25 ranking (#21), their first since 2017. I couldn’t prove it out, but this may be the first time an unranked team has beaten three ranked teams in three consecutive weeks (fun fact(ish)).
While CU doesn’t stand alone (it’s a sell-out game), they do face their own proverbial showdown, a final shot (no pun intended) at proving their character in front of their home crowd. The 2023 Buffs have already proven they have heart and can compete. Point differential in games lost last year was 32.4 (over four touchdowns!). Point differential in games lost this year is 13. The only game CU has not been competitive is the loss at Oregon. Take out that blow out point differential and the average margin of the four other losses this season is 7.3 – basically a touchdown (one possession!). It may not feel like it, but in nearly every game they have played this season, they have been right there. Yet, more is required. Especially tomorrow, at home, in front of the Buff faithful for the last time of the season. Not only does Gary Cooper take a courageous stand in High Noon, but he also delivers in his action by being the last one standing in a Hollywood classic gunfight. This Saturday, it’s time for the Buffs to not just take a stand but be the last one standing. The clock is ticking, and the Buffs better be loaded for bear.
“Don’t be sad …cause two out of three ain’t bad.” – Meat Loaf
Buff Nation –
With two-thirds of this inaugural Coach Prime football season in the bag, our Colorado Buffaloes sport a 4-4 record. Three more wins than all of last season and two games shy of bowl eligibility with four games still to be played. These 2023 Buffaloes have exceeded the expectations of the college football pundits and most of Buff Nation.
Yet, heading into the third and final part of the season, Buff Nation is on edge. Losing three of the last four, including the inexcusable loss to Stanford, along with the perception that CU is getting worse rather than better, Buff faithful are left scratching their heads and biting fingernails unsure if bowling is in our future. The final home stretch looks daunting. CU will be the underdog in all of the games. While (a finally healthy) Travis Hunter possesses the ability to change the tenor of a game on any given play, and Shedeur continues to dazzle in his ability to with-stand constant pressure and pounding (he’s the most sacked quarterback in the nation), and even the defense seems to be finding a clue, win number five will remain elusive until the Buff string together a complete game. Something they proved incapable of doing since the victory over Nebraska in early September.
Tomorrow night under the lights of Folsom Field (8pm Kickoff / 4:30 PM tailgate), the Buffs have their next opportunity to get back in the win column when they take on the #16 Oregon State Beavers. I still believe CU is capable of putting forth their breakout game, and their best opportunity is these next two home games. Win tomorrow night, and CU will go on to beat Arizona the following week and earn Coach Prime the coach of the year award. Lose, and CU will continue to slip into wait till next year mentality.
In their 37th year of existence, the Denver Broncos were still seeking that ever elusive first Super Bowl Lombardi Trophy. The date was December 7, 1997 and the Broncos had just lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers forcing the Broncos into a Wild Card spot for the playoffs, rather than the possibility of a #1 seed. The road to the Super Bowl now ran through the Jaguars, Chiefs and Steelers, all teams the Broncos had recently lost to. Within minutes after the loss to the Steelers, all-pro linebacker Bill Romanowski was quoted as saying to then Coach Mike Shanahan, “We’re just going to have to do it (get to the super bowl) the hard way.” All Broncos fans know the rest of the story. The Broncos went on their revenge tour and won their first franchise Super Bowl a month later.
Coming into the 2023 season, the goal for the Colorado Buffaloes was to earn bowl eligibility (six wins). Early season success made the appearance of this goal a slam dunk (to mix sports metaphors). Losing three of the last four, and especially blowing a 29-point lead against Stanford, has now made this goal significantly more daunting. Rather than win one of the next five games, the Buffs need to find a way to win two of the next five. The challenge lies in the caliber of their opponents. Three of the five remaining opponents are ranked (UCLA #23, OSU #11, and Utah #13), and the remaining two were either recently ranked (WSU) or have dramatically upped their game in the last few weeks (AZ). Stealing of these games, ok. Stealing two, doubtful. Similar to the Broncos of ’97, I would like to think Sheduer and Shilo came up to their dad after the Stanford game and said, “We’re just going to have to do it the hard way”. No fear, no trepidation. Just the mentality of getting back to the business at hand.
After having a bye last week and a chance to lick its wounds and take stock of the character of the team, CU takes on the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, this Saturday evening. UCLA is favored by 18 points, boasts the nation’s #11 total defense and #17 total offense. There are no weaknesses for CU to exploit. If CU has an advantage, it lies in the fact that CU has had two weeks to prepare, their backs are against the wall, and Travis Hunter should be at full strength. A win will exercise all the lingering Stanford demons, a loss will increase the fodder of the Coach Prime haters. CU will have to play a perfect game to beat UCLA, something CU has proven they are incapable of doing thus far in the season. For all the pomp, circumstance, and crazy train excitement this team has delivered to Buff Nation this season, now is the time to deliver again. Do not go off silently into the night. Let’s get this crazy train back on track. We are ready to believe again.
“You’re absolutely right Mr. Spicoli, it is our time.” Mr. Hand – Fast Times at Ridgemont High
It’s been five years since the Buffs have been favored by double digits over a power 5 school. Buff Nation will recall it was that game, on October 27, 2018, where CU gave up a second half 28-point lead and lost to the (then) lowly Oregon State Beavers 41-34 in overtime. It was one of the biggest chokes in college football history, a black eye to a storied Colorado football program, and led to the firing of Coach Mike MacIntyre 22 days later. Ironically that loss set off a chain of events that led to the hiring of Coach Prime five years later.
Tonight, CU enters Folsom Field as an 11-point favorite to beat the Stanford Cardinal. Win, and CU is one victory away from becoming bowl eligible, which while Coach Prime says is not the goal of the CU football program, it is the goal of Buff Nation and would mark a remarkable, fantastical, nearly unimaginable successful season.
Coach Prime may be coming, but Buff Nation has always been here. For years we’ve shown up and been treated to sub-par football. We have been forced to sit through blow outs (or opt to leave early). No longer. Tonight, under the lights of Folsom Field, this is our time. This is what we have been waiting for. We are favored, we have the better team, and we have the biggest upside. It’s all in front of us, and tonight, well tonight we reap what we have dreamt about for seasons – a competitive team with a chance to return to national prominence.
While CU’s undefeated Cinderella season ended a few weeks ago, the Buffs remain the darling of the national media and the number one college football story. Coach Prime expressed disappointment that the Stanford game would have a 10 ET (8 MT) kickoff, on Friday nonetheless, but College football is ruled by the pursuit of the dollar, and recent history shows you can put the Buffs on at anytime of day or night and they will draw record eyeballs.
This is an enviable position to be in. The school makes money, the players gain followers, and Buff Nation continues to bask in the attention. In order to stay in that spot light, CU is going to have to pull a James Francis Ryan and earn it. To stay in the good favor of America, the Buffs are going to have to beat Stanford. If there is one thing we know about this country, it’s that America loves a winner. Coach Prime knows this. There is no excuse. CU must win.
