Buff Nation –
For the first time in 14 years the Buffs are ranked in the Top Ten Nationally. That’s probably worth repeating. For the first time in 14 years the Buffs are ranked in the Top Ten Nationally. No one, and I mean no one, saw this coming before this season started. Yet it is here, and it is ours.
On Saturday, CU will put it all on the line against the #22 Washington State Cougars (WSU). WSU boasts a high power offense ranked 10th in the country (CU is #30), yet WSU’s defense is a relatively pedestrian 51st (CU’s is #13). CU will either have to figure out a way to slow down WSU or get in a shoot-out with them to win. Either way, I like our chances. There is a lot riding on the outcome of this game.
CU’s magic number is three. The Buffs are three wins away from either playing in the Rose Bowl or playing in the playoffs. A win on Saturday, a win the following week against Utah at Folsom, and then a win in the Pac-12 Championship will guarantee one of those scenarios. Right now everything is right with the world. We are riding a wave, yet we don’t want to get caught looking.
Heading into Saturday’s game I feel like the pre-game speech Gene Hackman gives to his team in the 1986 movie Hoosiers is appropriate. Swap out “State Finals” for “Pac-12 Championship/Rose Bowl/Playoffs” and I think you have the perfect pre-game speech for Buff Nation. Win or lose on Saturday, nothing can be taken from these Buffs and the season we are witnessing; yet, no way do we want to pull up short. By the way, you have to love the slow clap at the end of this scene. Cheesy, but best in cinematic history.
In the spirit of living out this season for all it’s worth, here is a quick recap of how we got here.
Pre-Season – CU projected to finish last in the Pac-12 by virtually every major sports pundit in America. CU is 5-49 against Pac-12 teams since joining the league in 2011. CU is an embarrassment to the State of Colorado and the Pac-12. CU is 35-78 in past ten years. They are 14-38 overall since joining the Pac-12 and 5-40 in league play during that time. While they should be improved, no one sees them getting to 6 wins and a bowl game.
September 2 – CU destroys in-state rival CSU 44-7. CSU is young and rebuilding, but still, 44-7? Hope is in the air. There is also a sense of relief. Playing CSU at Invesco Field sucks. It’s a no-win situation for the Buffs. A win is expected. A loss is disaster. I hate going to the CU v CSU game at Mile High. It’s a can’t win situation for CU. Yet, I go anyway. I can’t help myself. On this night though it’s a lot of fun. A good group of friends and kids sitting together. We are going to ride this season for all its worth. CU actually receives a single vote for the Top 25. I’m in disbelief. Our Buffs? Consideration? How thoughtful. CU 1-0. CU receives 1 vote for top 25 consideration in AP and Coaches Poll.
September 10 – CU beats Idaho State at Folsom in convincing fashion 56-7. That was cool. CU is 2-0 and neither game was even close. How good is this team? The weather was perfect. Fall is underway. Life is good. CU 2-0. CU receives 2 votes for top 25 consideration.
September 17 – CU loses a heartbreaking game to MI 45-28. Yet, ironically, this loss does more to boost the hopes and dreams of Buff Nation than either of the prior two wins. Hope blooms in Boulder. CU looks good. Unfortunately, that may have been their chance to shock the world. Now, their QB is hurt and we have to travel to Oregon next week and will probably have to start our #2 QB. What’s his name? Such a bummer. CU 2-1. CU receives 0 votes.
September 24 – Bam! The worm turns. CU beats OR, and all of a sudden we have something. We just beat OR! Are you kidding me? OR used to CRUSH us, and we just beat them on the road with our back-up QB? What’s his name again? Oh yeah, it’s Steven Montez. Steven freakin Montez. We are no longer the laughing stock of the Pac-12. We are contenders. Let’s do this thing. Life, right now, could not get any better. This is it. We are going to blow this thing out of the water. CU 3-1. CU receives 33 votes.
October 1 – CU’s Pac-12 home opener pairs us against the Oregon State Beavers. The perfect match-up for CU to maintain its momentum. CU is better than OSU and they prove it quickly. Start Fast. Attack. No Mercy. Steven Montez plays lights out. CU destroys the OSU 47-6. Fans leave early. Is this the new normal? Are we that good that we don’t have to stay to the end. I stay, but I love the fact that at least now I have that option. CU 4-1. CU receives 276 votes. Ranked #21 in AP Poll. First time ranked in eleven years.
October 8 – We got this. We are good. USC is on the downswing. We are ending streaks left and right. This is our year. We are going to take down the Trojans. We very well could be the best team in the nation. CU travels to California and gets their butt kicked in the LA Coliseum by a better Trojans team. The 21-17 score is deceiving. We never had a chance. Steven Montez looks like the back-up QB he is. Back to reality. What were we thinking? Is Sefo healthy yet? The Buffs are good, but not good enough just to show up and expect to win. In the Pac-12 you have to earn it any given Saturday. CU 4-2. CU receives 22 votes and drops out of the AP Rankings.
October 15 – Arizona State is in town. They are 5-1 and sit atop the Pac-12 South. I hate those guys. Similar to OR they have pounded on the Buffs for years. Sefo is back in the saddle and quickly establishes his leadership presence. His teammates love him. They fight hard for him because they know he fights for them. His leadership presence is undeniable. CU comes out strong and rushes the ball down ASU’s throat ALL DAY LONG. What? Did that just happen? That wasn’t even that good of a game? Is CU that good, or is ASU really that bad? Maybe a little bit of both? Either way, CU casts out yet another Pac-12 demon. The Pac-12 is taking notice. These aren’t your father’s Buffaloes. CU 5-2. CU receives 110 votes. Just missed being ranked by a mere 13 votes. Bummer.
October 22 – CU travels to Stanford. It’s beginning to sound like a broken record, but Stanford has dominated CU for many years. Somehow though, it just feels like this is CU’s year. Stanford’s crown jewel is the State of Colorado’s own Christian McCaffrey out of Valor Christian HS. Well, CU seems to have their own Colorado jewel in RB Phillip Lindsay out of Denver South HS. Two Colorado State products go head to head making us all proud. CU wins 10-5. A hard game to watch, but a win is a win is a win. There are no ugly wins. Not if you are CU and you just became Bowl Eligible. What? Yup, we are going bowling. CU 6-2. CU receives 207 votes, and back in the top 25 at #23.
November 3 – The games they remember are played in November. Well, at least we would like to think so. It’s been a decade since CU has had a meaningful game in November. Our season is usually well overcome this time. NOT THIS YEAR. THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT. CU plays UCLA under the lights of Folsom on a Thursday night. The atmosphere is electric. Most of the fans are in Black. Looking good for the national tv audience. For the second week in a row the game is ugly. UCLA gets under CU’s skin and CU loses its composure. Turnovers and penalties plague CU all night, but CU STILL wins the game thanks in large part to a stingy defense and a 68-yard TD punt return by Isaiah Oliver. Final score CU 20, UCLA 10. The Rise is Real. CU 7-2. CU receives 550 votes and ranked #16 in AP and #12 in Playoff Rankings. Highest ranking in 14 years.
November 12 – CU goes on the road to play the Arizona Wildcats. CU is focused. It is all in front of them. They just need to take care of business on the road against a team that is not as good as they are. CU does exactly that, winning 49-24. Another day at the office. CU seems bound and determined to take each game one at a time, and not get too far ahead of themselves. CU 8-2. CU receives 797 votes and ranked #12 in AP and #10 in Playoff Rankings.
So there you have it. The next chapter to be written is this Saturday at 1:30pm. There is no place you would rather be than at Folsom Field. Win or lose, Buff games are now the best show in town. Be there. Do your part. Be a part of history. Tailgate starts at 10AM. Usual spot. All are welcome. Ping me if you plan to attend and need directions.
Go Buffs!
Doug