Buff Nation,
In 2016 “The Rise” of the Colorado football program was one of the nation’s feel good stories. From worst to first in the Pac-12 South, Coach of the year, top ten ranking, and a bowl berth for the first time in a decade. There was a lot to celebrate. It was the best year in over a decade to be a Buff fan.
Yet, the reality with “The Rise” as the 2017 season is upon us, is that no one cares. It doesn’t matter. It is in the past. If the Rise doesn’t continue in 2017, it was all for not. It was just a few blissful (and awesome) Fall Saturdays in Boulder.
Thankfully the beauty of “The Rise” is that it is about an attitude. It’s about living into the belief that every day you either get better, or you get worse, nothing stays the same; so when you get up in the morning, you better get going. Starting tonight at Mile High Stadium, CU will look to keep “The Rise” alive.
If you are planning to attend, we will be tailgating in Lot C. 2:30-5:00 PM.
So, with that said, below is the 2017 season game-by-game prediction. Never Stop Rising.
Go Buffs!
Doug
2017 CU Football Season Predictions
September 1, CSU
I hate this game. It’s like playing your little brother’s team. Win or lose there is no upside. Only despair or relief. Playing at Mile High makes the whole scenario even worse. The first half of this game is a shootout. CSU comes in confident and brash. By the second half emotions have settled down and talent takes over. CU’s top-shelf offense takes over. The Rams don’t have enough players to cover the spread offense. CU wins by double digits.
CU 1-0
September 8, Texas State
How was this game ever scheduled? The blow out victory does nothing for CU’s rankings, but it does give the reserves an entire half of valuable playing experience. CU wins by 50 (yup, 50).
CU 2-0
September 15, UNC (University of Northern Colorado)
For the second week in a row pundits question CU’s motives for scheduling such a cream puff opponent. CU takes its foot off the pedal early to avoid putting up 70 points on our friends (way) up north. Half the CU fans don’t return after the halftime tailgating. They are satisfied. Besides, Washington is coming to town next week.
CU 3-0
September 22, Washington
ESPN College Gameday returns to Boulder for the first time since 1995 for this rematch of the 2016 Pac-12 Championship. In a hard fought game with very few mistakes, CU outlasts WA, putting the nation on notice that last year was not a fluke, and “The Rise” is real.
CU 4-0
September 30, at UCLA
Buoyed by their win over WA, CU enters the Rose Bowl a confident bunch. CU’s burgeoning defense shuts down UCLA and gives CU’s offense enough opportunities to put points on the board. CU prevails over a slightly over-rated Bruins team. CU has its second signature win in as many weeks. CU is rolling.
CU 5-0
October 7, Arizona
CU likes to say they play “Folsom Fast” and today CU puts on a football clinic. The Buffs are happy to be back at Folsom. CU has not lost here in nearly 700 days dating back to the USC game in 2015. CU wins in convincing fashion on a perfect Fall Saturday. Boulder is beside themselves with their football team.
CU 6-0
October 14, at Oregon St.
The fact that CU is playing on the road and looking past this game (Washington St is next week) is the only hope the Oregon St. Beavers have. Beating CU would make OSU’s miserable season. Not going to happen. After a surprisingly close first quarter, RB Philip Lindsay unloads on his offensive teammates while his teammate Afolabi Laguda does the same to his defensive teammates. They remind each other to “choose discipline” and make every play count. CU shuts out OSU in the second half and wins going away by three touchdowns. CU cracks the top ten.
CU 7-0
October 21, at Washington St
All good things must come to an end, and it does here. CU gets beat in convincing fashion by a very good Washington State team. Perhaps it’s premature visions of a Rose Bowl (or even possibly Playoff Birth), but CU plays uncharacteristically tight. This loss is written off as a “wake-up” call for the Buffs. There is still work to be done.
CU 7-1
October 28, California
Ah, the California Bears at Folsom field. Just what the doctor order to get back to our winning ways. CU plays its finest game of the season. Precise on Offense. Mean on defense. Disciplined on Special teams. CU pounds the Bears early and often. Coach Mac leaves his first teamers in a bit too long. Words are exchanged by coaches at the end of the game. CU has its sights on taking the next step in performance.
CU 8-1
November 4, at Arizona State
Last year this game was a total beat down under the lights at Folsom. CU won going away 40-16. ASU remembers and comes in with redemption on their minds. This game turns ugly under the lights in Tempe. There are no ejections, but there is a lot of spitting, fighting, grabbing and locker room conversation happening on the field. CU comes away on top. The game could have gone either way.
CU 9-1
November 11, USC
A battle tested #2 USC team comes into Boulder. ESPN College Gameday is tempted to make its second visit to Boulder but chooses the Florida State vs. Clemson game instead. No matter, as USC is too good for CU. They have the next Heisman trophy winner at QB and they have zero weaknesses on offense or defense. CU fights to the end (like they always do), but USC is a better team. USC remains undefeated. CU drops their second of the season. That is nothing to be ashamed of; there is just more work to do.
CU 9-2
November 25, at Utah
Ever since joining the Pac-12 together in 2011, the conference has pitched this as a rival game. Neither school bought into it. CU will always hate Nebraska, and Utah had…(who cares). Over the last three years, that attitude has slowly changed and culminated last year with CU and Utah playing for the Pac-12 South Championship. Once again CU’s opponent is unable to cover the fleet of top-shelf receivers, three of whom will be playing on Sundays next year.
CU 10-2
CU Bowl Prediction – Holiday Bowl – December 28, 2017 – San Diego, CA
Go Buffs!
Doug