Straight to the action... Today in the bag, I'm talking the curb-stomping of the Cougs, a new basketball commitment, and the public phase of fundraising.
Click below for the bag:
Showing posts with label 2013 football season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013 football season. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Thursday, November 21, 2013
2013 USC Football Preview
Bowl game? Are we really talking about a bowl game? I hope not, because the Buffs are still a long-shot to get there. They'd have to run the table, beating USC (at home) and Utah (on the road) in the season's final two games to squeak out a .500 record for the first time since 2007. I wouldn't say the double is impossible, just highly improbable. I'm talking like less than 10% chance.
The biggest hurdle is this Saturday against the resurgent USC Trojans. Possessing one of the best defenses in the West, the Trojans were going to be tough even before a recent run of strong play put them back in the hunt of a Pac-12 Championship Game appearance. Now, beating them seems unlikely. If the Buffs can somehow pull off the win, however, the season finale in Utah gets real interesting. Real. Damn. Interesting.
Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 7:30pm on Saturday. Bring your thermals, because it's going to be outright frigid for senior day. Coverage for those weaker souls who need the comfort of a warm room to watch football can be found on Pac-12 Networks. The radio call will be on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
The biggest hurdle is this Saturday against the resurgent USC Trojans. Possessing one of the best defenses in the West, the Trojans were going to be tough even before a recent run of strong play put them back in the hunt of a Pac-12 Championship Game appearance. Now, beating them seems unlikely. If the Buffs can somehow pull off the win, however, the season finale in Utah gets real interesting. Real. Damn. Interesting.
Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 7:30pm on Saturday. Bring your thermals, because it's going to be outright frigid for senior day. Coverage for those weaker souls who need the comfort of a warm room to watch football can be found on Pac-12 Networks. The radio call will be on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Friday, November 15, 2013
2013 Cal Football Preview
Well, this is it. The game BuffNation has been waiting all fall for. If the Buffs have any hope of avoiding a 0-9 conference run, they need to win tomorrow. As bad as the Buffs have been, Cal has been a tad worse, only entering with one win on the year, and none out of seven tries in Pac-12 play. Nothing on the remaining schedule (vs USC, @Utah), is nearly as winnable, making this the game of the season for Colorado. Of course, the Bears are looking at CU in exactly the same way - a chance to avoid an embarrassing winless run in conference. Thankfully, with ties abolished in college, someone has to get their first in-conference win.
No excuses, Buffs, get it done.
--
It's the Pac-12 Toilet Bowl, live from Boulder, CO! (See, I knew we'd make a bowl game one of these days.) Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 3:30pm Saturday. Coverage can be found on Pac-12 Networks, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
No excuses, Buffs, get it done.
--
It's the Pac-12 Toilet Bowl, live from Boulder, CO! (See, I knew we'd make a bowl game one of these days.) Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 3:30pm Saturday. Coverage can be found on Pac-12 Networks, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Thursday, November 7, 2013
2013 Washington Football Preview
Last night, while laying exhausted in the wake of facilitating my fourth annual Massive Basketball Preview, my computer died. Like won't start up, unrecoverable data died.
Bummer.
Undeterred, I quickly bought a replacement, and am back in the game after only one night incommunicado. Huzzah!
--
Last week, CU put in a rare complete performance against a Pac-12 opponent. On the road no less! Yes, the Buffs still wound up losers by over 20 points, but for them to be playing competitive football well into the fourth quarter is a massive improvement.
Looking to build on that improvement, Colorado travels up to Seattle this weekend to face off against the Washington Huskies. The odds are still stacked against them, but another week of solid gains on the gridiron is within reach, even if the scoreboard tilts strongly the other way.
Kickoff from newly renovated Husky Stadium is set for 6pm MT Saturday evening. Television coverage can be found on good ole Pac-12 Networks, with the radio broadcast on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Bummer.
Undeterred, I quickly bought a replacement, and am back in the game after only one night incommunicado. Huzzah!
--
Last week, CU put in a rare complete performance against a Pac-12 opponent. On the road no less! Yes, the Buffs still wound up losers by over 20 points, but for them to be playing competitive football well into the fourth quarter is a massive improvement.
Looking to build on that improvement, Colorado travels up to Seattle this weekend to face off against the Washington Huskies. The odds are still stacked against them, but another week of solid gains on the gridiron is within reach, even if the scoreboard tilts strongly the other way.
Kickoff from newly renovated Husky Stadium is set for 6pm MT Saturday evening. Television coverage can be found on good ole Pac-12 Networks, with the radio broadcast on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Monday, November 4, 2013
Monday Grab Bag: Game Week, at last.
To answer your question, yes, in fact, it is November. Rejoice, basketball fans, we've made it.
While the men won't get the season started for another four days, the women were actually in action this weekend. In an exhibition with the Colorado School of Mines, the 18th ranked Buffs kicked the tires and shook off the rust en route to a commanding 91-42 victory.
Sure, the competition wasn't close to what the team will face when playing D-1 opponents, but there were plenty of positives to take from the first public action of the season. Arielle Roberson dropped 20 points in as many minutes, Lexy Kresl posted a 6-0 assist-to-turnover ratio, and the team shot nearly 48% from the field. Good job all around.
Exhibition season concluded, the ladies will now have to wait until next Tuesday for the official start of 2013-14 when they head up to Fort Collins to take on the Rams. I expect raw carnage, get it done, Buffs!
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking a cross country championship, another Pac-12 loss in football, and a little basketball.
Click below for the bag...
While the men won't get the season started for another four days, the women were actually in action this weekend. In an exhibition with the Colorado School of Mines, the 18th ranked Buffs kicked the tires and shook off the rust en route to a commanding 91-42 victory.
Sure, the competition wasn't close to what the team will face when playing D-1 opponents, but there were plenty of positives to take from the first public action of the season. Arielle Roberson dropped 20 points in as many minutes, Lexy Kresl posted a 6-0 assist-to-turnover ratio, and the team shot nearly 48% from the field. Good job all around.
Exhibition season concluded, the ladies will now have to wait until next Tuesday for the official start of 2013-14 when they head up to Fort Collins to take on the Rams. I expect raw carnage, get it done, Buffs!
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking a cross country championship, another Pac-12 loss in football, and a little basketball.
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, October 31, 2013
2013 UCLA Football Preview
There's no doubt about it, last weekend's loss to Arizona hurt. It was a prime opportunity for the program to grab a statement win - homecoming, Folsom at night, blackout game - but a series of poorly executed possessions squandered too many first half opportunities. Once momentum flipped, there was no coming back, and the Buffs had to stand and watch as the Wildcats dominated the second half of the game.
It would be understandable, in the wake of that letdown, for the team to fracture. We've certainly seen it in the past, as many a CU team disintegrated from within over the last few years. Coach Mike MacIntyre, however, swears that isn't the case under his watch:
With bowl hopes brain-dead and on life support, however, we'll just have to see if that impression, and MikeMac's comments, stay true over the final weeks of 2013.
--
This week, the Buffs travel to sunny southern California to take on a reeling UCLA squad. Over all team sports, CU only has one win against the Bruins since the start of the Pac-12 era - coming just over a month ago on the hardwood of the CEC, as the women's volleyball team upset the then-#11 Lady Bruins on September 27th. To get a second win in 2013, this time in football, would take an upset of a nearly unfathomable nature.
Kickoff from the historic Rose Bowl is set for 5:30pm MT on Saturday. Those of you who have struggled to find the Pac-12 Network on your television package are in luck! The game will be shown on FOX Sports 1 this weekend, marking the first time since the RMS that the Buffs have been on anything other than P12N. For those still left in the dark by the new channel, the radio call can be heard on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
It would be understandable, in the wake of that letdown, for the team to fracture. We've certainly seen it in the past, as many a CU team disintegrated from within over the last few years. Coach Mike MacIntyre, however, swears that isn't the case under his watch:
"I really think we're a together team, and I really think they're trying hard and playing hard [...] We've just got to play a little better. We've got to do a few more things [...] I don't see factions, I don't see people pointing fingers at each other, I don't see guys not coming to work, I don't see guys not going to class. I see them all doing the things that you see a good football team maturing doing. Now, it takes a process to get it done against good teams." -linkIn that vein, I've generally viewed this team as being more together than those from the previous regime. To this point, I've seen them be genuinely excited when positive things happen, and quick to pick a teammate up - rather than point fingers - when the run of play goes the other way. You know, like a team who actually cares about sharing the field with one another.
With bowl hopes brain-dead and on life support, however, we'll just have to see if that impression, and MikeMac's comments, stay true over the final weeks of 2013.
--
This week, the Buffs travel to sunny southern California to take on a reeling UCLA squad. Over all team sports, CU only has one win against the Bruins since the start of the Pac-12 era - coming just over a month ago on the hardwood of the CEC, as the women's volleyball team upset the then-#11 Lady Bruins on September 27th. To get a second win in 2013, this time in football, would take an upset of a nearly unfathomable nature.
Kickoff from the historic Rose Bowl is set for 5:30pm MT on Saturday. Those of you who have struggled to find the Pac-12 Network on your television package are in luck! The game will be shown on FOX Sports 1 this weekend, marking the first time since the RMS that the Buffs have been on anything other than P12N. For those still left in the dark by the new channel, the radio call can be heard on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Monday, October 28, 2013
Monday Grab Bag: Bowl hopes dashed
Late in the third quarter, with the game against Arizona quickly slipping away, CU faced a must-convert fourth-and-goal from the Wildcat four yard line. Down 14 at the time, the Buffs needed the conversion just to stay within reach.
True freshman QB Sefo Liufau walked up to the line to survey his options before the critical play, announcing to the crowd CU's intention to forego the field goal try. Suddenly, out of the stands in the south end of the stadium, came an obnoxious blare - the band had started playing. Somehow, wires had been crossed, and the drum major had called a tune prior to this critical play. Now, CU had a freshman QB trying to bark out signals to his teammates through a wall of unnecessary noise. It was a major breach of band protocol.
After a frantic series of cutoff signals, the band eventually stopped playing before the snap. The resulting play, an incomplete pass from Liufau to D.D. Goodson, put the Buffs only further behind the eightball, and CU soon fell apart in the final quarter.
Now, did the band playing cause the resulting incompletion? No, it did not. In all honestly, the team was probably so focused they didn't even notice, but the band needs to be smarter than that. There was no reason to even have something called, let alone actually start playing. As a band nerd, sitting amongst other band nerds, it was probably the most heated I got all game.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the football loss against Arizona, the volleyball team's weekend sweep, and the walk-off obstruction.
Click below for the preview...
True freshman QB Sefo Liufau walked up to the line to survey his options before the critical play, announcing to the crowd CU's intention to forego the field goal try. Suddenly, out of the stands in the south end of the stadium, came an obnoxious blare - the band had started playing. Somehow, wires had been crossed, and the drum major had called a tune prior to this critical play. Now, CU had a freshman QB trying to bark out signals to his teammates through a wall of unnecessary noise. It was a major breach of band protocol.
After a frantic series of cutoff signals, the band eventually stopped playing before the snap. The resulting play, an incomplete pass from Liufau to D.D. Goodson, put the Buffs only further behind the eightball, and CU soon fell apart in the final quarter.
Now, did the band playing cause the resulting incompletion? No, it did not. In all honestly, the team was probably so focused they didn't even notice, but the band needs to be smarter than that. There was no reason to even have something called, let alone actually start playing. As a band nerd, sitting amongst other band nerds, it was probably the most heated I got all game.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the football loss against Arizona, the volleyball team's weekend sweep, and the walk-off obstruction.
Click below for the preview...
Thursday, October 24, 2013
2013 Arizona Football Preview
After a solid win over substandard FCS squad Charleston Southern last weekend, the Buffs enter the final weekend of October at a very satisfying 3-3. To be .500 this late in the season has been unheard of in recent years; in fact you have to go all the way back to 2008 to find a season where the Buffs could claim an even record on October 26th or later. Dilly bars all around.
Of course, it's a soft .500. The Buffs have beaten two lower division teams and a below average CSU squad, while being blown out by all three Pac-12 teams they've played. But that's actually an improvement! Under the previous regime, even beating the soft underbelly of the schedule was a struggle. Now with some wins in the back pocket, CU just needs to prove that they can beat a team that can fight back. Picking on someone their own size, so to speak.
This week offers one of the few reasonable opportunities to do just that. Arizona, while featuring some national-caliber talent, is not nearly as strong as, say, Oregon St, Oregon, and Arizona St. What's more, Colorado has looked capable against the Wildcats the last two seasons, including last year's competitive effort in Tucson. How many other 2012 games could you say the Buffs looked competitive in? Two? Three? In that light alone, Arizona offers a winnable opportunity - the gap between them and CU is thinner than in most other intra-conference matchups. Add in the leverage of a homecoming crowd under the lights of a night kickoff, and this weekend's game is a very seductive pickup opportunitiy.
If there is any hope - faint and fantastic as it was to begin with - that CU can still become bowl eligible, it is centered on a win in this game. It's up to the Buffs to keep that hope alive with a strong performance Saturday night.
--
It's Homecoming Week! Welcome back to all the wayward alums who are returning to their old haunting grounds. Kickoff from BLACKED OUT Folsom Field is set for 5:30 PM MT on Saturday. Coverage is back on Pac-12 Networks, with the radio broadcast, as ever, to be found on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Of course, it's a soft .500. The Buffs have beaten two lower division teams and a below average CSU squad, while being blown out by all three Pac-12 teams they've played. But that's actually an improvement! Under the previous regime, even beating the soft underbelly of the schedule was a struggle. Now with some wins in the back pocket, CU just needs to prove that they can beat a team that can fight back. Picking on someone their own size, so to speak.
This week offers one of the few reasonable opportunities to do just that. Arizona, while featuring some national-caliber talent, is not nearly as strong as, say, Oregon St, Oregon, and Arizona St. What's more, Colorado has looked capable against the Wildcats the last two seasons, including last year's competitive effort in Tucson. How many other 2012 games could you say the Buffs looked competitive in? Two? Three? In that light alone, Arizona offers a winnable opportunity - the gap between them and CU is thinner than in most other intra-conference matchups. Add in the leverage of a homecoming crowd under the lights of a night kickoff, and this weekend's game is a very seductive pickup opportunitiy.
If there is any hope - faint and fantastic as it was to begin with - that CU can still become bowl eligible, it is centered on a win in this game. It's up to the Buffs to keep that hope alive with a strong performance Saturday night.
--
It's Homecoming Week! Welcome back to all the wayward alums who are returning to their old haunting grounds. Kickoff from BLACKED OUT Folsom Field is set for 5:30 PM MT on Saturday. Coverage is back on Pac-12 Networks, with the radio broadcast, as ever, to be found on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Monday, October 21, 2013
Monday Grab Bag: Big Saturday on Campus
After an extra day of expectation, I finally received my basketball tickets Saturday afternoon. What is usually a day of celebration was marred, however, by the spartan design of the stubs this year.
Previously, the tickets had been basic, but functional, at the very least going so far as to put opponent logos somewhere on the face. Recent season have seen flashier designs, with more risks taken outside of the old template. You can see the design progression in this sample of stubs from each of the preceding six seasons:
Note the use of gray and space in '11-'12 and '12-'13, improve on the the stoic style of the Bzdelik years. Across the seasons, you can also note that the tickets look printed for a purpose, with each game getting the special treatment of the opponent and permanent inking.
Unfortunately, when you look at a ticket sheet for this season, you're greeted by this bland slosh of muted tones and hastily applied ribbon toner from the 1980s:
What happened? Where's the color? Where's the opponent logos? These look they were printed up on short notice at a high school.
My only guess is that this is a result of the awkwardly announced 10% cuts requested by interim AD Ceal Barry over the summer. I suppose it's better to have shitty tickets than a slash in the recruiting budget, but it doesn't change the fact that I'll have to look at these ugly things every time I head up to the stadium this winter.
Now, are the look of season tickets a big issue? Of course not, but, damn it, I thought after selling out season ticket packages for the first time ever that the basketball nuts of BuffNation had proven that they deserved better than this. I expect something flashier in 2014-15.
--
Today in the bag, I'm wrapping up a strong weekend from CU athletics by talking the win over Charleston Southern, the basketball scrimmage, and the latest recruiting coup for the basketball program.
Click below for the bag...
Previously, the tickets had been basic, but functional, at the very least going so far as to put opponent logos somewhere on the face. Recent season have seen flashier designs, with more risks taken outside of the old template. You can see the design progression in this sample of stubs from each of the preceding six seasons:
Note the use of gray and space in '11-'12 and '12-'13, improve on the the stoic style of the Bzdelik years. Across the seasons, you can also note that the tickets look printed for a purpose, with each game getting the special treatment of the opponent and permanent inking.
Unfortunately, when you look at a ticket sheet for this season, you're greeted by this bland slosh of muted tones and hastily applied ribbon toner from the 1980s:
What happened? Where's the color? Where's the opponent logos? These look they were printed up on short notice at a high school.
My only guess is that this is a result of the awkwardly announced 10% cuts requested by interim AD Ceal Barry over the summer. I suppose it's better to have shitty tickets than a slash in the recruiting budget, but it doesn't change the fact that I'll have to look at these ugly things every time I head up to the stadium this winter.
Now, are the look of season tickets a big issue? Of course not, but, damn it, I thought after selling out season ticket packages for the first time ever that the basketball nuts of BuffNation had proven that they deserved better than this. I expect something flashier in 2014-15.
--
Today in the bag, I'm wrapping up a strong weekend from CU athletics by talking the win over Charleston Southern, the basketball scrimmage, and the latest recruiting coup for the basketball program.
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, October 17, 2013
2013 Charleston Southern Football Preview
Before the game Saturday, please remember to check out the open-door scrimmage the CU basketball programs are hosting at the CEC. With the men hitting the court from 9-10:30, and the women from 10:30-11:30, it's an excellent opportunity to check out a pair of top-25 programs before the bright lights of the season are turned on.
I look at this as an attempt to replace Buffs Madness by capitalizing on the mass of people already on campus for football. CU's version of a midnight madness event was well intentioned, but poorly advertised last fall, leaving whole swaths of the Events Center empty for the performance. Despite a clarion call from Coach Boyle, a similar problem seems to be plaguing the scrimmage this go-around, leaving me to wonder why they don't plan these things father in advance.
Regardless, I'll be there bright and early Saturday morning. Admission is free, though, since it's a football gameday, parking on campus is anything but. For those who can't attend, I'll be live-tweeting the event, so be sure to follow me @Rumblinbuffalo.
--
The first attempt to play the 3rd and final non-conference game of the year was washed away with much of Boulder in last month's devastating flood.
Replacing a canceled football game, which are often scheduled decades in advance, is not an easy thing to do, and the CU athletic department was put into scramble mode to replace it on the schedule. To their credit, they managed the feat, first plowing through all available FBS options before finally settling on a tiny FCS school. Bye-bye Fresno State, hello Charleston Southern.
That the Buffs were able to find anyone willing to shoehorn the game into their schedule on short notice in close to miracle. That they got it done for the relatively paltry sum of $400,000 is a strong opening salvo fired from the Rick George regime. Strong work from the fellow Son of Illinois.
Now, however, we come to the awkward point of actually playing that tiny FCS school smack-dab in the middle of a grueling Pac-12 campaign. I'm sure the Buffs are eagerly anticipating a respite from 40-point in-conference drubbings, but I can't help but feel... underwhelmed by the challenge this week. It's just hard to focus on #2 Oregon one week, only to turn around and see, of all things, the Charleston Southern Buccaneers rolling into town. Hopefully, the team is more focused than I on the task at hand.
Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for high-noon on Saturday. Television coverage can be found on Pac-12 Networks, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
I look at this as an attempt to replace Buffs Madness by capitalizing on the mass of people already on campus for football. CU's version of a midnight madness event was well intentioned, but poorly advertised last fall, leaving whole swaths of the Events Center empty for the performance. Despite a clarion call from Coach Boyle, a similar problem seems to be plaguing the scrimmage this go-around, leaving me to wonder why they don't plan these things father in advance.
Regardless, I'll be there bright and early Saturday morning. Admission is free, though, since it's a football gameday, parking on campus is anything but. For those who can't attend, I'll be live-tweeting the event, so be sure to follow me @Rumblinbuffalo.
--
The first attempt to play the 3rd and final non-conference game of the year was washed away with much of Boulder in last month's devastating flood.
Replacing a canceled football game, which are often scheduled decades in advance, is not an easy thing to do, and the CU athletic department was put into scramble mode to replace it on the schedule. To their credit, they managed the feat, first plowing through all available FBS options before finally settling on a tiny FCS school. Bye-bye Fresno State, hello Charleston Southern.
That the Buffs were able to find anyone willing to shoehorn the game into their schedule on short notice in close to miracle. That they got it done for the relatively paltry sum of $400,000 is a strong opening salvo fired from the Rick George regime. Strong work from the fellow Son of Illinois.
Now, however, we come to the awkward point of actually playing that tiny FCS school smack-dab in the middle of a grueling Pac-12 campaign. I'm sure the Buffs are eagerly anticipating a respite from 40-point in-conference drubbings, but I can't help but feel... underwhelmed by the challenge this week. It's just hard to focus on #2 Oregon one week, only to turn around and see, of all things, the Charleston Southern Buccaneers rolling into town. Hopefully, the team is more focused than I on the task at hand.
Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for high-noon on Saturday. Television coverage can be found on Pac-12 Networks, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Monday, October 14, 2013
Monday Grab Bag: ... only 24 days till basketball...
GOOD NEWS, BUFFNATION! Basketball season is just around the corner, meaning that the ugliness that is football should fade into the background over the coming weeks.
In fact, this Saturday marks the first opportunity to see Coach Boyle and the boys take the court. They're throwing open the doors, and hosting an intra-squad scrimmage at 9am at the Coors Event Center. If you don't think I'm more interested in the scrimmage than the CU/Charleston Southern football game taking place that afternoon, you're kidding yourself.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the pasting in Tempe, Sefo Liufau's ascension, road struggles from the volleyball and soccer teams, and my weekly look around the nation of football
Click below for the bag...
In fact, this Saturday marks the first opportunity to see Coach Boyle and the boys take the court. They're throwing open the doors, and hosting an intra-squad scrimmage at 9am at the Coors Event Center. If you don't think I'm more interested in the scrimmage than the CU/Charleston Southern football game taking place that afternoon, you're kidding yourself.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the pasting in Tempe, Sefo Liufau's ascension, road struggles from the volleyball and soccer teams, and my weekly look around the nation of football
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, October 10, 2013
2013 Arizona State Football Preview
For the game this week, Arizona St is offering a special ticket package
called the 'Buffalo Snack Pack.' For $99, you get two tickets, two
half pound buffalo burgers, and two gold 'Fear the Fork' t-shirts.
They'll also have concession stands around Sun Devil Stadium grilling up
buffalo burgers for the hungry patrons.
Get it!? They're eating buffalo burgers while playing the Buffaloes. How cute.
I'd eat a Sun Devil in retribution, but I'm STD free, and would rather stay that way, thank you very much.
--
Kickoff from Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ is set for 8pm MT on Saturday. Coverage will be on Pac-12 Networks (where else?) and 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Get it!? They're eating buffalo burgers while playing the Buffaloes. How cute.
I'd eat a Sun Devil in retribution, but I'm STD free, and would rather stay that way, thank you very much.
--
Kickoff from Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ is set for 8pm MT on Saturday. Coverage will be on Pac-12 Networks (where else?) and 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Thursday, October 3, 2013
2013 Oregon Football Preview
I feel so much better about 2013 knowing that the schedule is back up to 12 games. While you can never assume anything with this program, just seeing the name 'Charleston Southern' on the schedule opens the door to three, four, even five wins on the year. A bowl game is still a fantasy, but a few more victories would be concrete evidence of improvement and progression, which is all I was asking for at the season's onset.
Of course, we can't get ahead of ourselves. While waiting for the Buccaneers to arrive on October 19th, the Buffs will have to slog through two seemingly unwinnable games - home against #2 Oregon this weekend and at #22 Arizona St on 10/12. This could be a very rough stretch for the team, and watching how they cope and compete over the next two weeks may end up telling us even more than potential wins over ChaSo and Cal would.
Kickoff against the Oregon Ducks from beautiful Folsom Field is scheduled for 4pm MT. Coverage can be found on Pac-12 Networks (or - 'The Buffs Channel'), with Mark Johnson and the radio call coming on 850 KOA.
You can find previews from previous iterations of this series here and here.
Click below for the preview...
Of course, we can't get ahead of ourselves. While waiting for the Buccaneers to arrive on October 19th, the Buffs will have to slog through two seemingly unwinnable games - home against #2 Oregon this weekend and at #22 Arizona St on 10/12. This could be a very rough stretch for the team, and watching how they cope and compete over the next two weeks may end up telling us even more than potential wins over ChaSo and Cal would.
Kickoff against the Oregon Ducks from beautiful Folsom Field is scheduled for 4pm MT. Coverage can be found on Pac-12 Networks (or - 'The Buffs Channel'), with Mark Johnson and the radio call coming on 850 KOA.
You can find previews from previous iterations of this series here and here.
Click below for the preview...
Monday, September 30, 2013
Quick Post: Charleston Southern, October 19th. Book It!
After weeks of speculation, the hole left in the schedule by the rained-out Fresno St game has been filled by *drumroll* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN!
Wait, what?
Yes, the Charleston Southern *checks wikipedia* Buccaneers will be coming to Boulder on October 19th. Hawai'i, SDSU, et al declined the opportunity to collect a quick paycheck, so the Buffs had to dive back into the FCS pile. I guess it's better than nothing, especially when considering that CU stood to lose multiple millions in ticket and advertising dollars if the schedule remained light. No word yet on how much the Buffs had to pay, but I'm sure it was a discount over what the FBS teams were turning down.
For those concerned with bowl eligibility, the NCAA has granted Colorado a waiver, allowing for a second win over an FCS team to count towards the six wins required to make a bowl. So thanks to both Charleston Southern and the NCAA for being cool about this.
I'm not even going to pretend I know anything about this other CSU, but a quick look at their schedule shows they're 5-0. While not in the FCS top-25, that has to count for something, and over the next few weeks, I'll be checking to see if they're as good as their record would indicate.
Wait, what?
Yes, the Charleston Southern *checks wikipedia* Buccaneers will be coming to Boulder on October 19th. Hawai'i, SDSU, et al declined the opportunity to collect a quick paycheck, so the Buffs had to dive back into the FCS pile. I guess it's better than nothing, especially when considering that CU stood to lose multiple millions in ticket and advertising dollars if the schedule remained light. No word yet on how much the Buffs had to pay, but I'm sure it was a discount over what the FBS teams were turning down.
For those concerned with bowl eligibility, the NCAA has granted Colorado a waiver, allowing for a second win over an FCS team to count towards the six wins required to make a bowl. So thanks to both Charleston Southern and the NCAA for being cool about this.
I'm not even going to pretend I know anything about this other CSU, but a quick look at their schedule shows they're 5-0. While not in the FCS top-25, that has to count for something, and over the next few weeks, I'll be checking to see if they're as good as their record would indicate.
Monday Grab Bag: Ah, I remember this feeling!
I'm fighting the urge to go back to dismissing the football team after this weekend's result. They're still exceeding expectations on the season, even though they missed a good opportunity to make a statement. Next weekend isn't going to be much better, but I remain hopeful that CU can creep up on a team or two once the calendar slips past the first weekend of October.
Apropos, the first basketball practice of the season started at 7am this morning. Tad and the boys are back in business... #IsItNovemberYet?
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Today in the bag, I'm recapping the rough afternoon in Corvallis, celebrating the volleyball upset over UCLA, and saying goodbye to Lane Kiffin.
Click below for the bag...
Apropos, the first basketball practice of the season started at 7am this morning. Tad and the boys are back in business... #IsItNovemberYet?
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Today in the bag, I'm recapping the rough afternoon in Corvallis, celebrating the volleyball upset over UCLA, and saying goodbye to Lane Kiffin.
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, September 26, 2013
2013 Oregon St Football Preview
If, before the season, you had suggested to me that the Buffs would still be undefeated heading into Week 5, I would've told you that it would require an Act of God. No offense to the team and their effort, but the non-conference schedule seemed guaranteed to produce at least one loss.
A 1000-year rainfall event later, and here we sit, proudly cheering on one of only 29 squads still unblemished by defeat.
Scheduling asterisk aside, regardless of what happens this Saturday, the team can be proud of how they've performed to date. They've looked invested, competent, and - above all - dangerous. As much as I could've hoped for headed into the season.
But now comes the task of exceeding expectations. From here on out, any winning the team does will begin to push the needle past those preseason hopes. Hell, a bowl game is still a theoretical possibility. However, still without a 12th game against a beatable opponent, CU's best path to bowl eligibility would include a stunning road upset in-conference. Oregon St provides the first such opportunity.
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It has been 21 days since CU last took the field in anger. My anticipation level is through the roof, and I have to agree with Coach MacIntyre - it feels like an entirely new season is starting this weekend. Opening day is back!
Kickoff from Reser Stadium in Corvallis, OR is set for 1pm MT on Saturday. Coverage can be seen on Pac-12 Networks, or heard on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
A 1000-year rainfall event later, and here we sit, proudly cheering on one of only 29 squads still unblemished by defeat.
Scheduling asterisk aside, regardless of what happens this Saturday, the team can be proud of how they've performed to date. They've looked invested, competent, and - above all - dangerous. As much as I could've hoped for headed into the season.
But now comes the task of exceeding expectations. From here on out, any winning the team does will begin to push the needle past those preseason hopes. Hell, a bowl game is still a theoretical possibility. However, still without a 12th game against a beatable opponent, CU's best path to bowl eligibility would include a stunning road upset in-conference. Oregon St provides the first such opportunity.
--
It has been 21 days since CU last took the field in anger. My anticipation level is through the roof, and I have to agree with Coach MacIntyre - it feels like an entirely new season is starting this weekend. Opening day is back!
Kickoff from Reser Stadium in Corvallis, OR is set for 1pm MT on Saturday. Coverage can be seen on Pac-12 Networks, or heard on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Thursday, September 19, 2013
2013 Football Bye Week Preview
For the second straight week, the Buffs will be spending their Saturday away from the gridiron. That means there's no game to preview, no opponent to obsess over. Those of us in BuffNation will have to turn elsewhere for our sports fix.
While there is a full slate of games to consume from around the country, it's actually a pretty soft week. Only one top-25 tilt and a lot of early-season fluff. Hell, the schedule is so light that ESPN's College GameDay is at the home of FCS behemoth North Dakota State this week. Fucking Fargo, dude.
Shrugging off the milquetoast schedule, I've selected the seven most... interesting games from the weekend for a quick teaser. Seriously, though, consider taking a hike or something, because Week 1 had more juice than this bunch.
(Lines presented are from Bovada via ESPN as of 2:30, 9/17/2013)
Pac-12 -
Arizona St @ Stanford - Saturday, 5MT, FOX - Stanford -9, O/U 48.5
This is it, the only top-25 matchup of the weekend. I mean, "Pac-12!" and all, but that's weak.
The Sun Devils come in off of a highly suspect win over Wisconsin. No other team in the rankings was as unconvincing last week, and not many are giving them much of a chance Saturday. Stanford has yet to play anyone of importance, but they should have no trouble with the win and the cover.
As a side note: the Sun Devils have selected the Oct 12th game vs CU as their 'fan's choice game' They're leaving their uniform choice for the clash up to the internet, which is always a good idea. If you care, you can take a look at the options and vote here. Basically, you're picking a pant/helmet color. Somewhere, Oregon is laughing.
Utah St @ USC - Saturday, 1:30MT, ABC - USC -7, O/U 50.5
I believe in Chuckie Keeton. I don't believe in Lane Kiffin. It's that simple - Utah State should cover with a solid chance to win outright.
Oregon St @ San Diego St - 5:30MT, CBS Sports Network - OSU -11, O/U 55
This is interesting only from the perspective that Buffs play OSU next Saturday, and SDSU might wind up on the schedule at the last minute. On paper, the Beavers should roll, since the Aztecs have looked awful through two season-opening losses.
Utah @ BYU - Saturday, 8:15MT, ESPN2 - BYU -7, O/U 61.5
Ah, the Holy War. One thing's for certain - it'll make for one hell of a nightcap. *chortle*
Cheap puns aside, this should be a good game. Neither team is perfect, but this is, annually, one of the most interesting matchups in the region.
Other games of interest -
Boise St @ Fresno St - Friday, 7MT, ESPN - Fresno -3, O/U 68
Even though the Broncos haven't been their usual barn-storming selves this season, this is the marquee game of the season in the Mountain West. Presumptively a conference title game preview, BSU and FSU will show off two of the best offenses in the West under the Friday Night Lights. I'll take the over - there's no reason that those two teams can't crack 70.
Of course, I'll be rooting for Fresno this week. How can you turn your back on a team willing to help out in a time of need. Thank you @FSAthletics, and go Bulldogs!
Tennessee @ Florida - Saturday, 1:30MT, CBS -Florida -17.5, O/U 47.5
I only find this game interesting because I'm following missed connection Butch Jones. Watching Florida chalk up points against 'Food Cart' should be fun.
Outside of that, however, I have no interest. What was once one of the best rivalries in the South just doesn't rate in 2013.
Colorado St @ Alabama - Saturday, 5MT, ESPN2 - Alabama -41, O/U 51
For your amusement, feel free to check in on the lambs being lead to slaughter Saturday afternoon. I normally don't bet on spreads that large, but that over/under may have some potential. Alabama put up 49 on A&M last week, and there's no reason they can't match that against the Rams, even if they spend three quarters trying not to embarrass the competition.
If CSU can somehow manage a field goal, you're in the money.
GO BUFFS! CRUSH THE RECRUITING TRAIL!
While there is a full slate of games to consume from around the country, it's actually a pretty soft week. Only one top-25 tilt and a lot of early-season fluff. Hell, the schedule is so light that ESPN's College GameDay is at the home of FCS behemoth North Dakota State this week. Fucking Fargo, dude.
Shrugging off the milquetoast schedule, I've selected the seven most... interesting games from the weekend for a quick teaser. Seriously, though, consider taking a hike or something, because Week 1 had more juice than this bunch.
(Lines presented are from Bovada via ESPN as of 2:30, 9/17/2013)
Pac-12 -
Arizona St @ Stanford - Saturday, 5MT, FOX - Stanford -9, O/U 48.5
This is it, the only top-25 matchup of the weekend. I mean, "Pac-12!" and all, but that's weak.
The Sun Devils come in off of a highly suspect win over Wisconsin. No other team in the rankings was as unconvincing last week, and not many are giving them much of a chance Saturday. Stanford has yet to play anyone of importance, but they should have no trouble with the win and the cover.
 |
| A win's a win, right? |
Utah St @ USC - Saturday, 1:30MT, ABC - USC -7, O/U 50.5
I believe in Chuckie Keeton. I don't believe in Lane Kiffin. It's that simple - Utah State should cover with a solid chance to win outright.
Oregon St @ San Diego St - 5:30MT, CBS Sports Network - OSU -11, O/U 55
This is interesting only from the perspective that Buffs play OSU next Saturday, and SDSU might wind up on the schedule at the last minute. On paper, the Beavers should roll, since the Aztecs have looked awful through two season-opening losses.
 |
| Mannion should have a field day in San Diego. |
Utah @ BYU - Saturday, 8:15MT, ESPN2 - BYU -7, O/U 61.5
Ah, the Holy War. One thing's for certain - it'll make for one hell of a nightcap. *chortle*
 |
| GET OFF THE FIELD, MUSS! |
Other games of interest -
Boise St @ Fresno St - Friday, 7MT, ESPN - Fresno -3, O/U 68
Even though the Broncos haven't been their usual barn-storming selves this season, this is the marquee game of the season in the Mountain West. Presumptively a conference title game preview, BSU and FSU will show off two of the best offenses in the West under the Friday Night Lights. I'll take the over - there's no reason that those two teams can't crack 70.
 |
| Derek Carr and BSU QB Joe Southwick should put up buckets of points tomorrow. |
Tennessee @ Florida - Saturday, 1:30MT, CBS -Florida -17.5, O/U 47.5
I only find this game interesting because I'm following missed connection Butch Jones. Watching Florida chalk up points against 'Food Cart' should be fun.
 |
| Ah, memories. |
Colorado St @ Alabama - Saturday, 5MT, ESPN2 - Alabama -41, O/U 51
For your amusement, feel free to check in on the lambs being lead to slaughter Saturday afternoon. I normally don't bet on spreads that large, but that over/under may have some potential. Alabama put up 49 on A&M last week, and there's no reason they can't match that against the Rams, even if they spend three quarters trying not to embarrass the competition.
 |
| Yeah, good luck with that little bro. |
GO BUFFS! CRUSH THE RECRUITING TRAIL!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Monday Grab Bag: Rain, rain, go away!
With Saturday's scheduled tilt with Fresno St. postponed, the CU athletic department spent a good portion of the day helping out those effected by the 100-year flood. Players and staff passed out meals to first responders and displaced families, using up the food that would've gone to high paying donors on a typical football Saturday. For families suddenly without power and a dry bed, the lunch came as a nice diversion from an otherwise difficult week.
It's a no-brainer, helping out the community in a time of need, but it needs to be noted that the athletic department handled the situation with class. Good job, everyone!
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking about the scheduling headache created by the postponement, 'Money' Mayweather staying perfect, and my weekly trip around the world of football.
Click below for the bag...
 |
| Lending a helping hand. From: the BDC. |
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Today in the bag, I'm talking about the scheduling headache created by the postponement, 'Money' Mayweather staying perfect, and my weekly trip around the world of football.
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, September 12, 2013
2013 Fresno State Football Preview - UPDATED
I cannot relate how stunned I was when Ralphie failed to run last Saturday. It defies words. The whole thing felt completely out of place - I would've expected such a disaster to have happened during last season's tour de fail, rather than in this season of renewed hope. Colorado Buffaloes football without the team running out behind their namesake is like baseball without beer, or a cowboy without a horse.
Friend of the blog @BupsJones
did some digging, and confirmed that Ralphie IV had refused to complete
her run at least once in '03 (a 31-22 loss to the hated Corn), but, as far as anyone can tell, the current
Ralphie's record had been spotless up to this point (besides, of course, that little misunderstanding at the '08 Spring Game).
As the story goes, wafting smoke from the players' entrance spooked Ralphie to the point she refused to make her traditional entrance. Given a stubborn mascot, the handlers told the players to run out without her, and the game was started under a cloud of uncertainty. Coach MacIntyre even admitted that the incident played a part in a slow start for the team.
The powers that be assure me that Ralphie will get both her public workouts in on Saturday. She'd better, because I never want to see the team run out at home without a buffalo leading the charge ever again.
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The Fresno St. Bulldogs sit on the fringes of the top-25, and a win this weekend in Boulder should be enough to get them into the rankings for the first time since20042008. Expect a motivated, talented club to hit Boulder.
It'll be a good test for a Colorado team riding high on confidence.
Kickoff from beautiful Folsom field is set for 12:05 MT on Saturday. Television is set for regional coverage on Pac-12 Networks, with Mark Johnson and the radio call on 850 KOA. Game has been canceled due to the flood.
Click below for the preview...
 |
| The slogan is 'run Ralphie, run' for a reason. |
As the story goes, wafting smoke from the players' entrance spooked Ralphie to the point she refused to make her traditional entrance. Given a stubborn mascot, the handlers told the players to run out without her, and the game was started under a cloud of uncertainty. Coach MacIntyre even admitted that the incident played a part in a slow start for the team.
The powers that be assure me that Ralphie will get both her public workouts in on Saturday. She'd better, because I never want to see the team run out at home without a buffalo leading the charge ever again.
--
The Fresno St. Bulldogs sit on the fringes of the top-25, and a win this weekend in Boulder should be enough to get them into the rankings for the first time since
Click below for the preview...
Thursday, September 5, 2013
2013 Central Arkansas Football Preview
Folsom Field. Night kickoff. There isn't a better set-piece in all of sports. Doesn't matter the opponent.
I think we in BuffNation sometimes take for granted how truly amazing football in Folsom is. I've been to plenty of stadiums across the country, and I've yet to find a venue that can compete with the intimate feeling of a fall Saturday at the corner of Folsom and Colorado. There may be larger venues, gaudier venues, venues that play host to better teams (venues with better bathrooms), but there is no college stadium on this continent with more soul.
CU could've lost by 50 last week, and I'd still be excited about the game this weekend, if only because of the opportunity to get back into Folsom, and soak up the atmosphere.
--
Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 6pm MT. If you aren't able to make it up to Boulder, I hope you don't have DirecTV, because televised coverage can only be found on Pac-12 Networks. For those so inclined, Mark Johnson will have the radio call, as always, on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
I think we in BuffNation sometimes take for granted how truly amazing football in Folsom is. I've been to plenty of stadiums across the country, and I've yet to find a venue that can compete with the intimate feeling of a fall Saturday at the corner of Folsom and Colorado. There may be larger venues, gaudier venues, venues that play host to better teams (venues with better bathrooms), but there is no college stadium on this continent with more soul.
CU could've lost by 50 last week, and I'd still be excited about the game this weekend, if only because of the opportunity to get back into Folsom, and soak up the atmosphere.
--
Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 6pm MT. If you aren't able to make it up to Boulder, I hope you don't have DirecTV, because televised coverage can only be found on Pac-12 Networks. For those so inclined, Mark Johnson will have the radio call, as always, on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
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