Buff Nation –
Happy Holidays!
Week Six Review
CU 21, Utah 38 (12/12)
In 2001 Boulder resident (and cul-de-sac neighbor (is that a thing?)) Jim Collins published the best-selling book Good to Great, essentially stating good companies fail to become great companies because they become satisfied and don’t have the necessary focus to become great (my words, not the authors, so don’t quote him on it).
In 2020, the Buffs have had a good football season, yet came up short on their first attempt for a great season by losing to Utah 21-38. As warned by yours truly, Utah was/is better than their record and they would stand to be CU’s toughest challenge of the season. Once team captain Nate Landman went down (such a shame) for the season, CU lost focus and packed it in. Good was good enough.
Season Finale
CU (4-1) vs #20 Texas (6-3) – Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, TX, Tuesday 12/29 7PM MT
While the Buffs stubbed their toe against Utah, the Buffs are fortunate to be in the Alamo bowl (if USC had not opted out of playing in a bowl this year, CU would have played in a lower-tier bowl against a lower tiered opponent) and now has a golden opportunity to win on national TV in it’s most coveted and competitive recruiting state against former Big 12 rival the #20 Texas Longhorns. The Buffs are a 9.5-point underdog.
The upside of winning this game would be hard to underestimate. A win could prove to be the defining moment where CU Football returned to its winning ways and earned the respect of its peers and even its own conference.
Fast forward a decade. It is January 2030 and the Buffs have been ranked each year since the final polls of the 2020 season and have been in the mix for conference and national championships on an annual basis. Someone, in their infinite wisdom, will ask the profound and deserving question, “What was the turning point? What was the defining moment when the Buffs stopped losing, and returned to greatness? It is at that time, in that moment, when those who are in know (those on this email and the rest of loyal Buff Nation), those who suffered through the Hawkins, Embree, MacIntrye saga, and Tucker betrayal can answer that question. It is those who can finally spit the foul taste of bitterness out of their mouths and can answer that question with three of the most hallowed words in the American vernacular – “Remember the Alamo!”
Final Thought
The Buffs are playing with house money. They have proven they have the right coach and a solid core group of young players. CU should go into the Alamo feeling they have earned the right to be there and play loose. The Buffs will need to establish the running game, eat the clock and shorten the game. Without Landman the Buffs will struggle to stop Texas. Limiting the number of possessions Texas gets and winning the turnover battle will help the cause. Either way, Buff Nation has a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to.
Go Buffs!
Doug