Buff Nation –
2018 Season Review
Buff Nation – for better or for worse, the 2018 Buff Season is officially over. After a fantastic 5-0 start which saw the Buffs destroy their in-state rival CSU Rams and an amazing come from behind victory at Lincoln (NEVER an easy place to win), CU started Pac-12 play 2-0 with wins against UCLA and ASU. All seemed to be going according to plan. Yet, somewhere along the line CU stumbled and was never able to regain their balance. A pick-six against USC, a meltdown for the ages against OSU, injuries, poor play calling, suspect zebra calls and global warming all contributed to the Buffs losing their last seven games of the season and coming up short on going to a bowl game.
For their efforts, the Buffs fired their head coach, in all probability will lose the rest of their coaches (except perhaps for one or two) which will be the call of the incoming head coach and will take a hit on their recruiting class. It’s too early to speculate on who the next head coach will be, but Buff Nation is indeed embarking on yet another chapter in its return to dominance.
2019 Season (Sneak) Preview
A quick look at 2019 season in intriguing for sure. CU will win at least two of its first three game (CSU, Air Force) and will battle it out against NE at Folsom Field (do not miss this game). Pac-12 play will be tougher than 2018. Most of the teams in the Pac-12 improved through the 2018 season, and CU’s schedule includes Oregon and Stanford (replacing OSU and CA). There are zero give me games in the Pac-12 CU now knows that and will never forget it.
For CU’s part, they come back loaded. Digesting a new coaching scheme aside, CU will be a better team on the field in 2019 than in 2018. CU returns eight starters on Offense (they need a tailback and right tackler) and ten starters/key contributors on defense (they need a safety, depth at cornerback). CU will two brilliant captains in Lavisaka Shenault and Nate Landman (two of the best players in NCAA next year) and have at least three future pros on the field. If QB Montez comes back for his final season (he is contemplating going pro) he will need to battle red-shirt freshman Tyler Little for the QB1. Either way, CU will be good at QB and their offensive line will be better (four returning starters). Several players got extra playing time this year due to injuries. While there will be no easy games, with the right coach and mentality, I like CU’s chances. I can’t wait.
So, with that, thank you all for your comments through the season both via email and over a brew during tailgates in Lot 380. It’s a joy to travel this road back to dominance (it will happen) with you.
Go Buffs!
Doug