Buff Nation –
Week Eight Review –
For the second week in a row, the Buffs were on the doorstep of beating one of the elite teams in the Pac-12, only to come up short once again. One could argue that with a couple healthy CU players, CU would of beat the Washington Huskies, but it’s hard to tell. Nearly two-thirds of the way through the season, all we really know about 2018 CU Football team is that they are a good middle of the Pac-12 caliber team, and have demonstrated potential to compete with the upper echelon teams. Thus far in the season, CU has beaten the teams it should of beat, and has lost to the teams they were projected to lose to (Nebraska withstanding). With five games left in the season, CU still has everything to play for and ample opportunity to prove they are more than a middle of the pack team, but indeed a top tier team, now and for seasons to come.
Week Nine Preview –
The arrival of the Oregon State (OSU) Beavers into Boulder for tomorrow’s 1PM kickoff at Folsom Field is the perfect remedy for what has been ailing the Buffs. CU has struggled over the past two weeks to reach that elusive sixth win for bowl eligibility (NCAA requirement). CU’s offense has struggled to maintain its once high-octane cadence and point production. CU has lost a bit of its swagger (good opponents will do that to a team). Forecast calls for epic fall football (and tailgating) weather. If CU takes care of business in the friendly confines of Folsom Field and their Buff faithful, with a win on Saturday (and CU will definitely win), the Buffs will become bowl eligible for the second time in three years (’16, ’18), coming on the heels of eight season bowl drought (’08-’15). OSU is the cure we have been waiting on for the past two weeks.
One note of caution. Even though CU will be heavily favored in this game, it’s still a Pac-12 match-up and the OSU players are also on scholarship and looking to make a name for themselves. If the bowl eligibility win proves elusive on Saturday, CU will either need to beat a Pac-12 team (AZ, CAL) on the road (something they haven’t done since 11/12/16) or beat a ranked team (Utah, WSU) at Folsom. A win tomorrow sets CU up to play with house money (i.e. the pressure is off) for the rest of the season. A lose puts CU in near desperation mode. Let’s trust that the Buffs will take care of business on Saturday and play with house money the rest of the season.
Go Buffs!
Doug