Happy New Year! The Holiday schedule has left me precious little time for idle chit-chat, so it's straight to the action this afternoon.
Today in the bag, I'm talking a trio of disappointing losses to close the book on 2016: a rough collapse in Salt Lake City for Men's Hoops, a forgettable Alamo Bowl in football, and an awkward stumble from the Women's Basketball Team.
Bowl games are stupid. I know that's probably not the message you wanted to receive, here on the eve of Colorado's first bowl game in nearly a decade, but it's true. Bowls are, in all but a few cases, pointless, corporate money grabs of the lowest order, and sporting culture is all the worse for having to put up with them over the final weeks of the year.
Sure, there is some value to having marquee events, like the Rose Bowl or the Orange Bowl, at the end of the calendar. Occasional exhibitions between champions, like these, held out of tradition and as a showcase of football at its finest, are be fine. I could do without it, but to each their own. The system as is currently in place, however, blows past them to instill an 'everyone gets a trophy` mentality to the sport, where even teams that go 5-7 are rewarded. There is simply no excuse for the 8th-best team from one conference to be playing the 7th-best team from another with absolutely nothing on the line. It's pure filler -- a desperate attempt to grab some of your hard-earned cash, either through your eyes on a tire commercial or you actually traveling to the event. I actually feel bad for the handful of fans who would allow themselves to be duped into something as foolish as the 'Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.' (I use this example for no particular reason)
"But, it's more football!' you might be saying. My response to that is simple:
The lure of 'more football,' such as it is, is wasted here. I can get myself to care about Colorado football, and I can even trick myself into paying attention to truly meaningful games with inherent history, but detritus like the 'Motel 6 Cactus Bowl' or the 'Dollar General Bowl' can't even come close to drawing my eye.
My appeal, then, is simple: end the bowl system. Expand the playoffs, turn the worthwhile remainder into some kind of NIT or 'champions league,' and punt the rest into the sun. ESPN will just have to go through life without the sunk costs of 20-or-so backwater bowls no one will miss anyway.
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Hype Music for the Week: 'China Grove' by the Doobie Brothers
My first thought for this game was to go with a country track, but that just ain't me. Thankfully, the Doobie Brothers wrote this iconic 70s rock anthem about a tiny suburb east of San Antonio. It features one of the best guitar riffs of all time, built around some jumbled lyrics about preachers and sheriffs with samurai swords. Enjoy!
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So, after all that ranting and raving about how awful bowl games are, you'd think I'd be avoiding this one like the plague. Well, you'd be wrong. I actually am going to the Alamo Bowl, at great personal expense, but do not consider my trip hypocritical. Colorado appearing in a bowl, a semi-worthwhile one, at that, is like seeing a unicorn. You can't expect me to miss an opportunity to see a unicorn. When the draw is the Sun Bowl next winter, that's when I'll stay home.
For what it's worth, much of BuffNation seems to agree with me that a trip down to southern Texas is a good idea. Based on ticket sales through the Athletic Department alone, at least 6,000 CU fans will be hitting the highways and airports en route to San Antonio this week, with even more expected who source their tickets through non-traditional methods. Should be a big group of Buffs down on the Riverwalk tonight and tomorrow.
For the game itself, kickoff from the Alamodome is set for 7pm MT on Thursday. Those not headed to San Antonio can catch the action on ESPN prime. Mark Johnson and the radio call will be on 850 KOA.
Pressed for time, it's straight to the action this morning. Today in the bag, I'm talking the result in Santa Clara, the Bowl Selection process, and the BasketBuffs responding in Portland.
When the season schedule was first released, confirming that Colorado wouldn't have to play the Washington Huskies in the regular season, I breathed a sigh of relief. UW was going to be a good team this year, now in their third season under head coach Chris Petersen, and it seemed like one fewer hurdle to clear in the pursuit of a bowl bid. As the season progressed, skipping the Dawgs appeared to be even more of a blessing, as they started ripping through teams on a weekly basis. By Week 5 they were in the top-5 nationally, and have been in constant pursuit of a berth in the CFP ever since. 'Good for them,' I thought, 'at least CU won't have to face them... unless the Buffs make the Pac-12 Championship Game, which would never happen.'
Well, miracles doth occurred, and here we are. Ducking the best all-around team in the league is no longer a possibility, and Colorado has to put their new-found reputation on the line in a showdown. Win, and at least they're slated for the Rose Bowl. Lose, and they could end up being forced into a trip to Texas. *shudders* Better just win, baby.
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Hype Music for the Week: "The Imperial March" by Epica
The Buffs are in the all-whites this week? Ah, the storm trooper look. With Colorado getting all Imperial, where else to go by John Williams' classic musical rendition of evil? I prefer Epica's version, as it confirms that double bass improves anything. The Dutch symphonic metal band does the piece justice, and revels in the brassy outro. Enjoy!
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Kickoff from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara is set for 7pm MT. Those making the trip will be pleased to know that the forecast is calling for clear skies and mild temps, though the thermometer is going to dip severely after sundown. Those not making the journey out west can catch the action on FOX's national broadcast, or with the radio call on 850 KOA.
I looked up and found myself in a weird place. I was at midfield in Folsom, surrounded by thousands of my fellow Buffs. We were all celebrating; there was formless dancing, hoarse voices screaming unintelligibly, and marijuana smoke floating through the air. The scoreboard flashed something improbable: "BUFFS WIN... SOUTH CHAMPIONS" Surely, this is a dream, I thought to myself.
No, it's not a dream. It's a reality that has lost touch with itself. Colorado Football... yes that Colorado Football, has won a division in a major football conference. They didn't need to drop down to a middling league or hope for extra downs. This was not a collection of blue chips wining for the names on the back of their jerseys. Nope, they did it themselves with an inspiring edifice of grit and determination. It was organic, locally sourced brilliance, the likes of which may never be seen again. This is it, folks, we've seen the pinnacle of everything we're told sports stands for -- the dream of the underdog, and the promise of pure, unadulterated joy. I hope you took a picture.
And yet, there's still more to play for. There this week's Pac-12 Championship in Santa Clara against Washington. Oh, then the small matter of the program's first bowl since the George W. Bush presidency. #TheRise may have risen, but the journey isn't over yet. Strap yourselves in, because the "Hold-my-beer-and-watch-this Run for the Rose Bowl" is about to culminate.
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Today in the bag, I'm talking the win over Utah, the men's basketball win over Wofford, and the women's basketball team's fiery start.
Back in the summer, as I was planning my Thanksgiving week trip to New York and Chicago, I made a fortuitous decision: I would make getting back to Colorado for the CU/Utah game a priority. At the time it didn't seem like much, cutting my trip short to return for a football game that probably wouldn't mean anything. Now, however, having that plane flight to Denver scheduled for Friday afternoon, rather than Saturday afternoon, is like a golden ticket. The 2016 Rumble in the Rockies, as it turns out, does mean something -- for the Colorado Buffaloes, it's a play-in to the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Who would've guessed it, but the University of Colorado, who were for a decade the definition of irrelevant in two separate conferences, are now on the cusp of appearing in a league title game. It's a story that stretches the credibility of reality; something a Hollywood screenwriter would trash as being too fantastic. Yet the greatest fiction ever written is that we experience every day, and we now have a football program to match. The Buffs are our spoonful of sugar, and they're a win away from the big stage.
Of course, that win will not come easy. Standing in their way are the Utah Utes; while Utah has fallen off the championship pace, they're still a nasty, tough entity, more than capable of marching into Folsom and stealing the glory. Sure, they are not playing for anything themselves, per se, but they will be looking to return the favor for 2011, when CU traveled to Salt Lake City, and spoiled the Utes own South Division hopes. Don't expect our western neighbors to come over a lay down for the Buffs.
So, without further adieu, let's get this party started...
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Hype Music for the Week: "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne
Time for a classic Marching Band stands tune. The Prince of Darkness himself penned this metal anthem, a ubiquitous crash of sound that has stood the test of time. If you're a CU tuba, and you don't live to crank out the bass on this one, you're missing the script. Bang your head, and enjoy!
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Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 5:30 pm on Saturday. It's going to be a chilly evening, so be sure to bundle up; luckily, no precipitation in the forecast, though. Why you, a die-hard Buff fan, wouldn't want to be here for this one is beyond me, but, should you be unable to attend, national broadcast coverage can be found on FOX. The radio call, as always, is on 850 KOA.
I come to you this morning from Brooklyn, NY, having flown all the way from Boulder to watch the Legends Classic. I'll have a teaser for the CU/Notre Dame game up later today, but know that the overall schedule this week is slammed. After the bag and teaser today, I'll have more Legends Classic thoughts up tomorrow before the second game of the tournament, a Utah football teaser and beer post up Friday, and a Wofford basketball teaser up... sometime before Sunday's game with the Terriers. You want content, you're going to get it this week.
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Today in an abbreviated bag, I'm talking the big football win over Washington State, and the Men's Basketball Team improving to 3-0 after their tilt with Louisiana-Monroe.
(Apologies for the lack of photos this morning, but it couldn't be helped.)
Welp, here we are. Anyone with half a brain has been eyeing these final two home games for at least the last month, knowing that they'd be important. Upon arriving at the scene, however, we come to discover that these games against Washington State and Utah are not only vital to the postseason interests of the Colorado Buffaloes, but to the larger football-loving nation, as well. Sitting at #10 in the damn country, the Buffs, with two wins over the holiday fortnight, could put themselves in position for a play-in game to the College Football Playoff. Even if that is a notion too absurd to let swim around in your brain for a spell, the Rose Bowl is still to be decided, along with potential at-large bids to other New Year's Six games. For Colorado, playing the Cougars this weekend is the start of the most important stretch of football since 2001.
The interesting thing is, while BuffNation will be deeply invested in the outcome, Washington State doesn't really need this game. Like, at all. Even with a 1,000 point loss to CU, they could turn around, beat Washington at home in next week's Apple Cup, and wind up in Santa Clara for the Pac-12 title game. While they're a non-participant in any CFP discussion, the Rose Bowl will still be in play for them, regardless of the outcome this weekend. I'm not saying that the Cougs will come into Boulder disinterested, or anything like that. Just that, if there's a team that's going to play like it's life is on the line Saturday, my bet is that it'll be the one wearing Silver-Black-Silver.
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Hype Music for the Week: "I Drink Alone" by George Thorogood and the Destroyers
This one goes out to my dude Mike Leach. I don't know his views on demon liquor, but no one looks or sounds more like a wino on a week-to-week basis than the high priest of the Air Raid. I just want to give the man a pair of sunglasses and some hair-of-the-dog each and every time I see him.
The song, of course, is by George Thorohgood and the Destroyers. 80s blues rock at its finest, Thorogood released some of the most iconic rock grooves from the decade of big hair, all without having to sample the hairspray himself. Maybe not the best in my collection, but certainly not the least-played. Enjoy!
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Kick-off from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 1:30pm on Saturday. The forecast is calling for clear skies and cool temperatures that are sure to dip as the sun fades behind the Flatirons. Bundle up so you aren't running for the warmth of the field house as the 4th quarter rolls on. Those not willing to brave the chill can catch the game on FOX's national broadcast, or via the radio call on 850 KOA.
At the beginning of the year, the Colorado Football Team announced their stated goal of becoming 'Pac-12 champs, on and off the field.' While I am unable to comment on the pursuit of any championships away from the gridiron, I'd be hard-pressed not to note the position that the team has put themselves in, entering the final two weeks of the regular season. Alone atop the Pac-12 South standings, the Buffs control their own destiny in pursuit of that stated goal, needing just two wins to make the conference's championship game in Santa Clara. The most storied ride in the modern history of the program is coming to a head; now it's time to see just what this team is made of.
It won't be easy, of course. While both games are at home, they will each be against teams ranked in the top-25. Competitive and tough, both the Washington State Cougars and the Utah Utes are worthy opponents for the stage. A stumble against either would most likely eliminate CU from title contention. I wouldn't have it any other way.
These will be the most important games played in Folsom since 62-36 in 2001. Woe to you, the Buff fan who won't make a point of being there for both. These are the games you become a fan for, the kind that keep you up at night in anticipation. If you can't be bothered to get your ass to Boulder to see a pair of top-25 matchups with a conference title on the line, then turn your fan card in tomorrow.
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Today in the bag, I'm talking last night's CU/Seattle basketball game, the football win in Tucson, and the Soccer Team's activity in the NCAA Tournament.
The Buffaloes enter this game in an awkward position. They are the undisputed, heavy favorite in a road conference game for the first time in... essentially forever. There is no reason, on paper, that they should fall victim to the Wildcats, having shown to posses superior talent and execution throughout the year. Arizona even enters a largely broken team, having lost every Pac-12 game this year. Yet, the game still needs to be played. Colorado still needs to go on the road, in what will surely be a dead environment, and play-out the 60 minutes against their 'inferior opponent.' It's enough to make a serial worrier like myself nervous. Yep, despite everything to the contrary, I smell a... what's the word?
Ah, yes. A trap. Thank you, Admiral.
Gird you loins, people. This one could get weird.
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Hype Music for the Week: "Ride On" by ACDC
If you really appreciate ACDC, like I do, you know the power of Bon Scott. The late, second lead singer of the everlasting metal heavyweight gave that band a soulful, blues-hearted sound, simply not replicable. That is not to disparage current singer Brian Johnson, just that this was a different group, with a different vibe before Bon's untimely death in 1980.
I chose 'Ride On' from the 'old' ACDC to highlight the depth of the group. Soul-searching and powerful. If this doesn't hit you, make you feel something... I don't know, man.
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Kickoff from Arizona Stadium in Tucson is set for 8pm Saturday evening. Should be clear and cold after sunset in the desert. If you're down in the Grand Canyon State for the game, be mindful of the temperature drop when the sun dips. For those stuck at home, coverage can be found on FS1, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
Well, this is now officially serious. With the release of the first round of rankings by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, we come to find out that Colorado is 15th in the only poll that counts. 15th. In the country. Teams have made the Playoff from similar positions in each of the last two years -- OU was 15th last fall when the first rankings were cut, Ohio State (the eventual national champion) was 16th the year prior. With that in mind, it is not out of the realm of possibility that, with five wins to finish the year, the Buffs could wind their way to 4th overall. I've seen weirder shit happen before, believe me.
Hold my beer... watch this...
But that's just just the stuff of dreams, for now. Reality is the UCLA Bruins, who come to town for a marquee Thursday night affair to kick the month of November off. No time for a letup now, this is a game the Buffs better win.
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Hype Music for the Week: "Tired Bones" by the Mad Caddies
Yooooooo, is this some hot fire. From the SoCal ska punk specialists, 'Tired Bones' is one of my favorite songs. Fast, loud, and with a trombonist that delightfully sounds like he's strangling a cat, I can't help but wonder why this has never made its way to a basketball band track... but I digress. Enjoy!
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Kick-off from a Blacked Out Folsom Field is set for 7pm this evening. I hope you remembered to take tomorrow off from work, 'cause it's going to get weird tonight. No worries on the weather front: clear and cool, but otherwise perfectly fine for the first week of November. For those too soft to head up to Boulder, coverage can be found on Fox Sports 1, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
With four games left to play in the regular season, the Colorado Buffaloes have dispatched with the formality of qualifying for bowl eligibility. From here on out, the only question on the board is 'how far can they ride this beast'; or, as I'm calling it, the 'Hold my beer and watch this' run for the Roses.
At this point, there's no reason to doubt this team or their ability to achieve everything they covet. With three of the four games remaining scheduled for Folsom Field, and the other on the road against the worst team in the division (Arizona), their destiny is decidedly in their hands. Regardless of how it plays out, it should be a fun journey.
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Today in the bag, I'm talking the win over Stanford, how the rest of the Pac-12 fared, and a stunning last-second win for the Women's Soccer Team in Berkeley.
Today, all of BuffNation is Andy Dufresne. After nine years of foulness, we have crawled through the river of shit and come out clean on the other side. Yes, Colorado Football is, once again, bowl eligible. Bask in the rain of freedom, my friends.
To honor the occasion, we need music, and there is only one choice. It's a song in the marching band's repertoire that is only played in victory. A re-imagining of the original CU Fight Song, 'Glory Colorado,' it oozes celebration, and is one of my favorite tunes ever scored. It is, of course, 'Rejoice Colorado.' Enjoy:
One to go. One more win and, regardless of what happens the rest of the year, the Buffs will finish the season at a bowl game. Sure, the carrot of bigger things beyond this milepost is enticing, but for a program nearly a decade on the outside of the cool kids club, the pedantic steps must be observed.
That's why the game this week is so important. I don't want the specter of bowl eligibility to linger; just get it done, and move on to the cooler stuff at the end of the rainbow. It's all in CU's hands, they just have to execute.
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Hype Music for the Week: "Olive Tree" by Scale the Summit
So, let's talk about progressive metal. It can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but is generally characterized by three things: the extended run time of its songs, 'aggressive' guitar, and extreme musicianship. Regardless of how you define it, however, prog-metal is not for the feint of heart. You have to be a special breed of geek to like this stuff, as I do, just as you have to be a special breed of geek to get into Stanford.
This track, by Texas group Scale the Summit, always strikes me as hopeful and inspiring; the kind of thing you should be listening to on the precipice of bowl eligibility. It's also great fuel for putting words to paper, should you need a backbeat to come up with a 25,000 word basketball preview...
Anyways, enjoy!
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Kickoff from venerable Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto is set for 1pm on Saturday. For those going, the weather looks a little cool and cloudy, but otherwise fine. For those stuck in Colorado watching, coverage can be found on *sigh* Pac-12 Networks, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
What a wonderful Homecoming Weekend it was in Boulder. I got to play my tuba a little, see some old friends, and watch a triumphant effort at Folsom. Really, my only regret from Saturday was that I could not take in the annual open basketball scrimmage, held up at the CEC while I was otherwise preoccupied with alumni band business. The Ralphie Report has a write-up for those interested, and everything I've heard indicates that it was a pretty decent showing for this stage of camp (though Tad, as ever, was unimpressed with the defense).
Looking forward, those of you who are season ticket holders should've already begun to receive your stubs for the coming year in the mail -- the surest sign yet that basketball season is almost upon us. Just 24 more days... this is getting serious! #RollTad
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Today in the bag, I'm talking the win over Arizona State, how the rest of the Pac-12 fared on the gridiron, and the continued dominance of the soccer team.
OK, so this is a pretty damn big game. Beyond just being Homecoming, when the Buffs and Sun Devils face off Saturday, they'll be playing for control of the Pac-12 South, as well. The winner, pending the Utah result against Oregon State, could have sole possession of first place and a tiebreaker in-hand over one of the other teams with a realistic shot of gaining the crown. It's legitimately the biggest conference tilt featuring Colorado since the Barnett era.
So, with that in mind, can we all just agree to show up on time this weekend? As BSN Denver's Ted Chalfen so eloquently wrote this week, BuffNation's Southern California-esque attitude of arriving to games well after kickoff is no longer acceptable. If we're going to have a good team on the field, then we need to have a good fanbase in the stands, as well. Make a point of it, and get to the stadium early. Please.
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Hype Music for the Week: "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire
As is tradition, Homecoming Week comes replete with throwbacks to my collegiate career. Released at the start of the winter semester of my senior year, 'Ridin'' from Chammillionaire was all over the place the entirety of 2006. I am not ashamed to say it even found its way into my iPod... which, for you youngsters, was a kind of music playback device us old types used to use before our phones could just stream music for free. Enjoy!
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Happy Homecoming Week! Since CU hasn't won a homecoming affair since 2007 (against #3 Oklahoma, no less), it's high time #TheRise gives the returning alums a thrill. Speaking of old people, if you're going to the game Saturday, look over behind the band, and you'll see yours truly plugging away on my tuba as part of the alumni festivities. I apologize for my general ineptitude in advance.
Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 6pm Saturday night. Is there anything better than a night game in Folsom? Oh, so much fun. I expect the student section to be roiling with electricity. The forecast is clear and cool, so bring a jacket. Coverage for those unable to attend will be on Pac-12 Network, because the nation still can't handle #TheRise. The radio call will be on 850 KOA.
This is where things start to get difficult. Colorado Football has checked off all the boxes through five starts, but their success has elevated themselves into a position where only more is demanded. Games like this one, against a strong division foe seemingly down on their luck, are where division titles are born, and stand as the litmus test between good teams and great. Time for #TheRise to step up, and make some real noise beyond just sliding into the national rankings.
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Hype music for the week: "Ain't No Grave" by Johnny Cash
Four years ago I penned an article called "The game that killed the football program." It was about the last game CU entered with a national ranking, back in 2005 against Iowa State, and stated, emphatically, that the result in Ames that year 'was the beginning of the end.'
Well, of course, #TheRise has proven that the grave dug by the Cyclones was not deep enough. It took 11 years, but the Buffs have clawed their way back into the national spotlight; through hell and back, so to speak. How better than to celebrate that resurrection than with this revival of a traditional gospel song by the Man in Black himself? "When I hear that trumpet sound / I'm gonna rise right out of the ground / Ain't no grave / Can hold my body down." Enjoy!
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Kickoff from historic Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles is set for 2pm on Saturday. Should be warm and clear for those in attendance; bring some sun screen. Those not making the trek out west can catch the action on Pac-12 Networks, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
Even considering the early (12:30pm) kickoff on Saturday, I was a little stunned to see Folsom half-filled (I'm being generous) at kickoff. While the fans eventually showed up by the start of the second quarter, I felt that the team, in acknowledgement of their success over the first third of the season, deserved to run out of the tunnel to full stands of applause.
Then, as the Buffs took full control headed into halftime, the late-arriving crowd began to leave early. I guess I understand, with the result well in-hand and the sun shining, that the lure of greater-Boulder would draw a number of those in attendance out of the stadium. Further, football games are unbearably long, especially if its a blowout. Still, after years of painful slogs against conference opponents, horrors too numerous to list here, I felt bolted to my seat in appreciation, and was surprised to see my fellow Buffs didn't feel the same.
Look, #TheRise is real, and deserves a fanbase equal to the matter at hand. My appeal is simple: show up on time, and stay in your damn seats for a full game.
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Today in the bag, I'm talking the win over Oregon State, how the rest of the Conference of Champions fared this weekend, and the start of basketball season.
Ladies and gentlemen, we've entered new territory. I am, for the first time this year, going to see Colorado play a game live and in person. For various reasons - personal, business, and otherwise - I was unable to attend any of the home or road affairs in September. I missed the Oregon game entirely, in fact, thanks to a wedding ceremony.
The whole scheduling thing has left me hungry to get into Folsom and get my first real good look at what's going on this year. Sure, I've seen the broadcasts, but a live, in-person look is always preferable.
But, that also means I'm changing up what had been a winning pattern; me not going to games. So, should the Buffs stumble on Saturday, you'll all know the reason -- I jinxed them with my presence. I apologize in advance.
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Hype Music for the Week: "Your Time is Gonna Come" by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin, one of the monoliths of music history, penned this ditty of emotional revenge, which I find fitting. With the Buffs on the Rise, it's time to pay back some of our conference brethren for the shames of recent history. Their time has come.
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Kickoff from resplendent Folsom Field is set for 12:30 MT on Saturday. The Buffs will be going for something wholly unprecedented in the Pac-12 era: a two-game in-conference winning streak. Remember to wear white! There's a slight chance of rain in the forecast, but nothing to be too worried about. Coverage for those unable to attend is on Pac-12 Networks, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
