Each week throughout the football season I'm going to suggest a good beer for the ubiquitous pre-game tailgate. Let's be honest, with tailgates it's not always top quality that you're looking for. To steal a phrase from the heinous beer terrorists at Budweiser, you want "drinkability." (or what a real beer connoisseur calls "a session beer") So, be warned, these may not be "the best" beers around. But, in the words of Dave Chappelle as Samuel L. Jackson "IT'LL GET YOU DRUNK!"
This is another tough week. When I think Missouri and beer, I think Budweiser, and I'll be damned If I'm going to recommend that swill (There is Boulevard Brewery in KC, but I'm saving that for later). I initially wanted to recommend Tiger Beer, but I've never actually had Tiger Beer, so that's out. Damn, am I stumped. I wasn't even 21 the last time I was in Columbia, so I can't go with the beer I got sloshed on when I was last there. I guess I'll just have to go with my favorite beer currently on the market: Arrogant Bastard Ale (You're not worthy, bitches)
Arrogant Bastard is a man's beer. It's not pretentious, it's just arrogant. Made by Stone Brewing in Escondido, CA (Word up Rico, YEA YEA!) "the Bastard," available in convenient "it'll get ya drunk" bombers, is a full flavored American Strong Ale. Hopped and Malted till the cows come home, this beer lets you know who's boss with every sip. While slightly on the bitter side, the hop flavor does encompass the whole range of hopy-ness (sweet, citrus, floral and bitter). It's honestly impressive that a beer this strong can house so many flavors in relative balance. In the end, however, this 7.2% ABV beauty is an ass-kicking beer. Grab a bomber (or two) this weekend and cheer the Buffs onto victory!
It's Missouri week.... again. We all know the story: Hawk has yet to beat Gary Pinkel's Missouri Tigers, losing all 4 contests by a combined score of 177-40. (!!!!!!!) The Buffs have been atrocious against Missouri; the players, coaches, media, and fans all know it. It's starting to become a "thing." Last year, down 33-3, I left Folsom Field early for the first time since I stepped foot on campus, such was the level of putridity that the Buffs displayed. Everyone involved with the program is fed up with the teams performances against the hated Tiger, yet I don't know if we can change the script this weekend.
Combined with our recent bad juju against Mizzou is the fact that yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the "Fifth-down" game. While I would contend that it should be called the "Mizzou was so terrible that they had to resort to destroying their own field to get an edge" game, it is what it is. You would think 20 years would be enough time to get over an officiating mistake, but the citizens of the Show-Me-State have a long history of never letting shit die. Some people were speculating that this 20th anniversary would be the last time the collective football world would have to hear about it, but I wouldn't count on it.
(He got in, end of story)
The Buffs enter the contest off the heels of their yearly emotional home-victory over a team that has more physical talent. Even when taken in the context of the opponents record, the Georgia win was very impressive. So, has CU really turned the corner, or was it just another isolated blip on an otherwise static EKG monitor?
I might just be ready to buy this teams exit from futility. CU out-played those SEC dawgs from the opening kick-off (which Hawk chose to receive, thank God). The Buffs controlled the line of scrimmage, running the ball 47 times for 235 yards. I'll tell you right now, I didn't expect us to put up 200+ yards rushing against a SEC team. CU has created a run-first identity that looks to be here for good. (Rodney can be a hell of a weapon when used right. From: the BDC)
For a team that has been identity-less for 4 years, to finally have something that they can point to as a legitimate strength is encouraging. The Buffs didn't seem to care that they were playing a bigger/stronger opponent then they had played all season; they just wanted to pound the ground game until Georgia begged for mercy. In the two games since CU switched up the offensive line, the Buffs have gained a total of 487 rushing yards on 99 attempts. That is a dedication to the ground game that we haven't seen since 2002. And we're going to need that same dedication this week.
-- T-I-Double guh-Errrr
Missouri is, once again, a strong team. While they have bought into the Big XII North tradition of playing a soft out of conference schedule (they haven't left the state of Missouri yet), and even hiccuped against Sand Diego St., they are a good football team hoping to compete for the north crown.
Before the season started they were forced to deal with team leader Derrick Washington, who had assaulted his former tutor. The Tigers kicked him off the team and went into scramble mode to replace his running production. So far, so good as their running back by committee has yielded 154 yards per game. RB's De`Vion Moore, Henry Josey and Kendial Lawrence have stepped up to put up some impressive numbers, and the constant rotation keeps their backs fresh and ready for big gains.
While the trio of young running backs has stepped up, passing is what the Tigers do best. QB Blaine Gabbert (who spurned Nebraska to go to MU) has a plethora of talented targets to throw to in WR's T.J. Moe, Michael Egnew and Jerrell Jackson. While they only get 277.5 yards per game through the air, this offense is capable of much more. While they may not have the Chase Coffman's, Chase Daniel's, or Jeremy Maclin's of the world on the team anymore, they are still a talented and explosive offense that needs to be respected. (Gabbert is turning into one hell of a QB)
Defensively, the Tigers have struggled a little bit this year. While playing a soft schedule, the MU defense has given up almost as many yards on the ground as their offense has gained (699-680). Slightly inconsistent, they allowed big TD runs of 75 and 93 yrds to spur a SDSU comeback that almost stunned the Tigers at home 2 and a half weeks ago. On the edges it's a slightly different story. The Tiger defense is slightly stauncher against the pass, holding opponents to under 200 yards per game.
Overall, their defense could be considered a weak point. Yards can be gained here; If SDSU can run for 250 yards, CU's emergent run attack should rack up as many (if not more) against this Missouri d-line. Team leaders are LB's Zaviar Gooden and Andrew Gachkar, and while they can play, they have allowed some big "gashers" on the ground.
Prediction Time
It would be foolish of me to pick CU to win. Foolish. With our recent road woes combined with the Missouri burr up our ass, anyone coming out and flat predicting victory is looking through the rosiest of rose-colored glasses. You just simply can't ignore 3 years of road losses and a 137 point 4-game deficit to these Tigers. That is not to say that I don't think that CU will be competitive.
The key is staying in the game. Part of the cause of the Cal disaster was falling behind early. Because of our offensive proclivities, it will be very hard for this team to come from too far behind. While we have come from behind in each of the past two weeks, the 10 point deficits in each game were relatively small. Should Missouri get ahead early, watch out.
If CU stays close through, let's say, the 1st quarter, then the ground game can start to go to work. I fully expect CU to get over 200 yards rushing on Saturday, and with those numbers we might just keep it close. Who knows, if CU gets those 200 rushing yards, and limit special teams mistakes (long-shot), maybe we could pull the upset.
What's funny is, should CU win, the schedule sets up of a hell of a year. With home games against Baylor and Texas Tech, CU could be 6-1 heading into the Oklahoma game. After that, with an easy-ish trip to KU and home games against ISU and Big XII north strongmen Kansas St., CU could make that final trip to Nebraska actually mean something.
Of course, for that to happen, CU would need to beat Missouri.... on the road.... at night. Not going to happen.
Yesterday the Big XII preseason basketball coaches poll was released, and the talented CU team was picked to finish 9th. 9th! The Young Buffs were severely underrated last year, but I chalked that up to no one knowing who Alec Burks was before the season started. Now that everyone, including the national media who tabbed him and Corey Higgins on the preseason Wooden Award watch list, has seen him and his teammates there should be no reason to expect these Buffs to be bottom dwellers; yet here we are.
I don't know what could have brought these coaches to look over this team. Maybe it's concern over the new head coach. Maybe it's frustration that the Buffs and their often abysmal basketball program are running off to a new conference leaving them with tougher schedules. Maybe it's doubt that CU will ever amount to much in basketball. You never can know what these coaches are thinking when they fill out these polls (and many of them just let some GA do it). All I know is that many of those coaches are going to be eating their votes with a side of crow come February when they have to come marching into Coors on a freezing Wednesday evening. (C'mon Tad, shove it back in their faces. From: The BDC)
I took a quick look at the schedule (I'll have a much more in depth preview sometime in early November) just to get a quick feel for what we can expect come conference play. What I came up with was a minimum 8 wins with 4 for sure losses and 4 toss-up games. If you assume a split of the tossup games then CU ends up with 10 conference wins which would be good enough for 5th in the conference last year. Thorburn in the BDC says he thinks sixth. Either way it's a whole hell of a lot better than 9th.
While I'm on the subject, our non conference schedule is pathetically easy. CU should go a minimum of 12-3. At Georgia and the 2 games at the Las Vegas Classic are the only games that would be acceptable losses, and the Georgia game is a stretch. Lets say we beat Georgia in Athens and go 13-2 prior to Big XII play; combined with a 10-6 5th place mark in conference, a 23-8 record should not only get CU into the dance, but should also get the Buffs a decent seed and venue (maybe a 6 or a 7 west of the Mississippi River?). Just don't hold me to that...
Here are my Big XII quick glance predictions:
Wins: Ok. St. - home Nebraska - away Oklahoma - away Iowa St. - home Texas A&M - home Texas Tech - away Iowa St. - away Nebraska - home
I touched on this yesterday: rushing the field is not a bad thing. Ringo got his panties in a bunch this morning, and questioned weather the students had standards anymore. I would question whether they ever had standards, but that's besides the point. Is rushing the field the august institution that needs to be coddled and placed in a museum? Rushing the field is, by definition, a bunch of drunken idiots running to celebrate with their fellow students (the players). Beyond that attending a football game isn't like sitting in church or attending a legislative session at the capitol: it's supposed to be frivolous and fun.
We expect the students to show up "loud and proud," essentially encourage them to be rowdy, if not drunk, then expect them to immediately cease being rowdy once the clock hits triple-zero? CU students essentially carry the stadium for 4 quarters then are expected to shut up, turn out the lights, and go back to their dorm rooms? I'm honestly surprised we're the only ones doing this on a semi-regular basis. What's there to protect? What's the harm? (The aftermath of the Georgia game. From: Me)
Further, I absolutely disregard any contention that these students pose any risk to the opposing players and coaches. Ringo insinuates that there is no way for the opposing team to tell if the fans rushing the field mean harm: that's a load of stinky bullshit. Any human with half a brain knows exactly why those students is running on the field: to celebrate, not to attack. If there are any random trouble makers, what are they going to do? Punch a 300lb lineman in the face-mask?
Hell, even Hawk gets this. Ringo prodded him after the game, I'm sure with the intention of getting some reactionary parental concern out of him, and Hawk responded with a defense of the students and their new "tradition" of rushing the field.
"To me it`s just become sort of a tradition here a little bit. I think our student section is pretty dynamic and a big part of Folsom Field. I think it`s become more of a tradition and a fun thing and I hope it continues to stay like that."
Hawk is damn right, it is a fun thing. The students in Folsom are more a part of the action than anywhere else in the country, and rushing the field is just a direct reflection of that.
Finally, Ringo runs into the enforcement wall. Ringo points out that in '06 "two fans suffered serious injuries -- a broken shoulder and broken leg -- in scuffles with security trying to prevent them from getting on the field." Even cops know it stupid to try and prevent 15,000 students from trying to do anything. CU police is now concerned with mitigation and protection of key assets (Goalposts, referees and opposing team members). They essentially just let that shit happen.
"We are not actively trying to stop it. What we look to do is set a presence where hopefully if they`re deciding and it`s not a 'We`re doing it` thing, maybe we can stop it. But if they`re going to come -- and we knew they were going to come in this game -- we`re basically there to have no one get hurt and make sure no one interacts with the visiting team."
There is really no reason to stop this "tradition." If students want to get on the field, preventing them is only going to end up with someone getting hurt, and that's the last thing people want. Let the kids have their fun, slowly but surely send them to the exits (like they do), and move on.
We are still over 1 month away from the first game of the season (Nov 12th against Idaho St.), but I'm starting to get pumped for basketball. While I will cover the team IN DEPTH once the season starts, I wanted to throw this nugget out there: with the naming of Alec Burks and Corey Higgins to the preseason Wooden Award watch list, the Buffs join a select list of teams to have two players on what is essentially a list of the top 50 players in the nation. The other teams are Duke, Gonzaga, Michigan St., Purdue, and Syracuse. That's a hell of a list to be on for Colorado Basketball.
This team will be really entertaining to watch. Jeff Bzdelik has laid the talent foundation, and now Tad has to run with it. With a big year, and the new facilities, under our belts, recruiting should soar, and we may have the makings of a revival in Colorado hoops. I'm literally giddy about this.
Well, that was one hell of a weekend. It's ended up with me sick at the office on Monday; C'est le vie. On to this weeks bag...
Buffs Beat Georgia: OK, fine, this team is sort of decent. Sure, Georgia is in the Football Gods doghouse (no pun intended), but that was an important win to both the program and the fan base. Folsom Field was in fine form Saturday night, and the team played up to both the situation and the atmosphere. It was a great game to be at from a fans perspective, and it was a great evening to be a Buff. CU is an impressive 3-1 heading into the traditional shellacking in Columbia, MO this weekend. But, for now at least, the team and the fan base can hold their heads high and forget about the Cal disaster. (It was a great evening as we recognized the '90 team and whupped Georgia's ass (by 2). From: The BDC)
RUN THE FOOTBALL!: I even liked the play-calling Saturday Night(!); CU has turned the corner and has legitimately turned into a running football team, and I like it. Even when down 10 points in the 3rd quarter CU stuck to the run and ended the night with 235 yds and 3 touchdowns for their efforts. At altitude, especially against sea level teams, staying committed to running the football is the path to victory. The push from the O-line gets them into the game and tires out the D-line. Just look at the holes that emerged in the 3rd and 4th quarters; Georgia was exhausted, and CU took full advantage. Also of note: Rodney Stewart regained the #1 tailback role with his performance. He ended up with 149 yards on 19 carries (7.8 per rush!) and a gigantic 65 yard scramble to set up the Buffs comeback. While I was enthused to see B-Lock start the game with 9 straight carries, he just couldn't make it work for him, and only ended up with 2.2 yds per carry. While it probably helped that he was fresher later in the game, Rodney found more running room when it mattered, and was the better overall back on Saturday (even making a spectacular 3rd down catch to keep the chains moving). (Rodney had it going on Saturday night. From: the BDC)
Defense: They are fun to watch. The defense stepped up when the team needed them to, and boy do I mean that. Right before the game clinching fumble recovery, I turned to my friends and said, this game is over. Georgia has an outstanding kicker (even if he missed an easy-ish field goal right before half), and to have the ball on the CU 27 with under 2 minutes to go should've been game over for CU. Instead, B.J Beatty comes off the edge like a man possessed and disrupts what looked to be a flea-flicker in the making (or else the slowest spin move of all time). Jon Major falls on the ball, and Folsom erupts. That effort combined with the 2 huge sacks by Josh Hartigan showed the Buffs to have a clutch defense. (BJ Beatty and the rest of the defense were fired up, and played like it, Saturday night. From: the BDC)
I was also excited to see the play of Jimmy Smith. While Jalil Borwn had an off day (CU got real lucky with AJ Green missing chunks of the game with injuries; he was the real deal, and Georgia was a completely different team with him on the field), Jimmy began earning his future NFL paycheck by having a good night, even making a spectacular recovery effort to break up what should've been an easy TD pass. Which brings me to my last defensive point: Georgia QB Aaron Murray had a bad game. On that Jimmy Smith play, if Murray gets the ball out on time Smith has no chance to recover. On the 2 clutch sacks by Hartigan, he had poor pocket presence, and didn't feel the rush till too late. All-in-all he played like a freshman, and CU capitalized in key spots.
Cinching: Did we finally see results from all of that cinching? CU only had 3 penalties, and none of them mattered. One was a defensive hold that didn't really change the situation too much, and two were holds on a kick-return. Not a single penalty was committed by the offense (!). It was apparent that the offense had learned their lesson. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the special teams unit. Outside of the two holds they had a missed field goal, 148 return yards put up against them, and gave the defense a short field on numerous occasions. This a continued weak spot, and it's lucky that they didn't cost CU the game.
Hawks job not safe yet:Some pundits think that Hawks job is safe after yet another signature win at home. In the style of Lee Corso: NOT so fast my friend. Yes, going 3-1 in non-con play is nice, and that win against Georgia was spectacular, but there has been a "signature" home victory in each of Hawks years in Boulder. '06: Texas Tech, '07: Oklahoma, '08: West Virginia, '09: Kansas, and '10: Georgia. One victory does not a year, or a career make. Hawk still needs to find a road win, a program just simply cannot rely on home wins to sustain itself. Yes, the soft home schedule does set up nicely for a 6 or 7 win season, which would be cool, but is 7 or 6 wins really where we want to be? Sure it would be a start, but I still feel Hawk needs to go if we can't crack 8 wins this year; especially if we keep getting embarrassed on the road.
Side note: Why did we go for two after the 3rd touchdown. It was awesome to see the A-11 offensive set go to work, but it was a high risk/little reward situation. If we don't convert we're down 4 and a field goal is useless, with a 2 point deficit, the nature of the game doesn't significantly change, a field goal potentially wins rather than ties. While it didn't end up mattering, it was a weird decision at the time. I rationalized it as a momentum play: Hawk wanted to keep the energy and momentum going. But wouldn't a miss in that situation stunt momentum? Additionally, Hawk called up the A-11 on two other point afters, with each being stunted with reviews of the scores. This was obviously something the team wanted to show off, hell-or-high-water. It is fun to watch....
Rushing the Field: I've heard some rumblings about the students predilection to rush the field after seemingly any home win (at least we didn't rush against Hawaii). I have no problem with the students rushing the field. Sports commentary society takes itself too seriously; it's just kids having fun. Rush the field damnit; I don't care who we just beat. (Doesn't that look like fun? From: the BDC)
Bears Stink: I commented over the past week that the Bears were an awful soft 3-0 team. With ugly home wins over Detroit and Green Bay, combined with a decent performance against Dallas, the Bears had yet to play "well" in victory. It finally caught up with them last night. Facing a tough road test in East Rutherford, NJ last night, the Bears allowed Jay Cutler to be sacked NINE TIMES in the first half alone, eventually sending him to the bench with a concussion. Woof. The Bears would go on to lose 17-3, and lose half of their bandwagon. I still like the Bears to be a one-and-done playoff team this year, but last night was plain awful. (Principal Rooney thinks the Bears O-line sucks)
White Sox and Rox end season on outside of postseason: Finally,the portion of the baseball season that I genuinely care about (The one with either the Sox or Rox playing) ended Sunday afternoon. The Sox had long been finished with the competitive portion of their season, but the Rox stumbled to the finish line losing 13 of their last 14 games. It's always a sad end to a baseball season, but especially sad when you could've (should've) been better. While the Rox have a promising future (that Dan O'Dowd youth base is sure paying dividends) my Sox are running up against an age wall. Sunday was possibly the last game in southside pinstripes for heroes AJ Pierzynski and Paul Konerko, and a youth movement is probably (necessarily) on the horizon (especially if Kenny Williams doesn't return as GM). (Hopefully Cap'n Paulie will be back next year. If not, it's been a great ride. From: the Trib)
Each week throughout the football season I'm going to suggest a good beer for the ubiquitous pre-game tailgate. Let's be honest, with tailgates it's not always top quality that you're looking for. To steal a phrase from the heinous beer terrorists at Budweiser, you want "drinkability." (or what a real beer connoisseur calls "a session beer") So, be warned, these may not be "the best" beers around. But, in the words of Dave Chappelle as Samuel L. Jackson "IT'LL GET YOU DRUNK!"
This week, in honor of a bunch of drunk Georgians descending on pristine Boulder, Colorado, I've selected Georgia Moon Corn Whiskey. (The mason jar is a good indicator of what you're in for.)
Wait... no I haven't..... that would be a terrible decision. Not only is that whiskey not a beer, but that shit is awful. Seriously, it's really terrible. But it does bring up the issue that Georgia has a paucity of good breweries that ship beer west of the Mississippi river. As a result, I've had to dig a little deep on the logic train...
My favorite bar in Denver is the British Bulldog. Small, cozy, the Bulldog is not only a great place to drink, but it also offers the best Pakistani food in Denver. Get the Punjabi wings: they're so hot and tasty that you'll hate yourself for liking them. That said, since Bulldog is in the bar's name, and I'm desperate for ideas, I decided to go with the beer that I always get when I go there. That's why I'm naming Fuller's London Pride as my gameday Beer-o-the-week. (Pictured: the beer in question. Not pictured: the British Bulldog)
Mmmmm. Malty goodness. Considering the strong malt flavor and the country of origin, London Pride shows an impressive array of hop flavors dancing around on your pallete. It's a great pub beer, and will go swimmingly with any social drinking event. I highly suggest you grab a pint or two the next time you get a chance.
