We may suck at football, we may be struggling in soccer and volleyball, but those frozen bananas from the Cross Country Banana Stand are plentiful and delicious. What football game? This week it's all about the victorious runners.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Quick Post: Buffs picked 10th in Pac-12
I'm currently sneaking some paragraphs in on my Massive Basketball Preview, but I thought I should mention that the Pac-12 preseason media poll was released today. The unsurprising results have CU pegged for 10th.
I obviously think that 10th is crap. Even if a lot of things go wrong, CU is destined for better than that. Focus on departures all you want, and there will be a resulting drop-off, but CU is better prepared to handle roster turnover than in years past, and the Pac-12 is a slightly weaker conference than the old Big XII. CU will do just fine this season, and should finish no lower than 8th.
For reference, last season's squad that appeared in the NIT Final Four and was so rudely rejected for the Tournament was picked 9th. CU finished in 5th. Keep under-rating Colorado basketball at your own peril.
I obviously think that 10th is crap. Even if a lot of things go wrong, CU is destined for better than that. Focus on departures all you want, and there will be a resulting drop-off, but CU is better prepared to handle roster turnover than in years past, and the Pac-12 is a slightly weaker conference than the old Big XII. CU will do just fine this season, and should finish no lower than 8th.
For reference, last season's squad that appeared in the NIT Final Four and was so rudely rejected for the Tournament was picked 9th. CU finished in 5th. Keep under-rating Colorado basketball at your own peril.
Friday Beer Post: 2011 Gameday Beer-o-the-week - ASU Edition
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!"
Much of the Pac-12 resides in states where craft brewing is not only prevalent, but a cultural way of life. Colorado, California, and Oregon have some of the strongest brewing traditions the nation has to offer. Hundreds of breweries dot these states, showcasing some of the best brews in the nation.
The rest of the Pac-12, however, including the great State of Arizona, can be a little lacking in brewing culture. I'm not saying that there aren't craft breweries in the state, just that they're not the quality of some of the others that dot the Pac-12 landscape. So, note to Arizonans: work on that.
To the matter at hand... I was at a loss this week. With Arizona lacking in high-profile brewing culture, what the hell am I supposed to use to select a suitable beer? After a few frustrating minutes racking my brain, I just gave up and went the mascot route. As is usually the case, I turned my eyes to the local craft brewing titans at Avery. :What's that one Belgian with the devil on the label? White Rascal?" Shrugging my shoulders, I've picked Avery's White Rascal as my tailgate beer-o-the-week.
At least for my purposes they decided to put some sort of demon/devil thing on the label (Deviously Delicious!"). That's kind of like a Devil, right? Possibly one who comes from the Sun? A reach, to be sure, but what else can I go with?
I threw the question out to the twitter folk (follow me @rumblinbuffalo, btw) and none of the responses really struck me as appropriate. I'm trying to stay away from reflexively naming an IPA each week, so Hop Devil from Victory was out, and the Demon series, also from Avery, is composed of beers far too large to be a "session" beer. So White Rascal it is.
I don't even like White Rascal. Too Belgian for my tastes. (the Belgian people are ever so nice, but I just don't like the yeasts they use in their beer.) However, I'm fully aware many people like that sort of thing, and that White Rascal is a hit in that community of White Ale fans. It's a nice, light brew, tweaked with hints of orange and coriander, which compliment the style nicely. Think of it like an unfiltered Blue Moon, only with balls. Very refreshing, and a nice change of pace from typical tailgate beers.
While I may not personally like the style, this is a great brew. Give it a try, you may even find that you like the taste of Belgian yeast. It even comes in convenient cans, perfect for bringing to a tailgate. Drink your beer, damnit!
Happy Friday! Go Buffs, Beat the Spread!
Much of the Pac-12 resides in states where craft brewing is not only prevalent, but a cultural way of life. Colorado, California, and Oregon have some of the strongest brewing traditions the nation has to offer. Hundreds of breweries dot these states, showcasing some of the best brews in the nation.
The rest of the Pac-12, however, including the great State of Arizona, can be a little lacking in brewing culture. I'm not saying that there aren't craft breweries in the state, just that they're not the quality of some of the others that dot the Pac-12 landscape. So, note to Arizonans: work on that.
To the matter at hand... I was at a loss this week. With Arizona lacking in high-profile brewing culture, what the hell am I supposed to use to select a suitable beer? After a few frustrating minutes racking my brain, I just gave up and went the mascot route. As is usually the case, I turned my eyes to the local craft brewing titans at Avery. :What's that one Belgian with the devil on the label? White Rascal?" Shrugging my shoulders, I've picked Avery's White Rascal as my tailgate beer-o-the-week.
At least for my purposes they decided to put some sort of demon/devil thing on the label (Deviously Delicious!"). That's kind of like a Devil, right? Possibly one who comes from the Sun? A reach, to be sure, but what else can I go with?
I threw the question out to the twitter folk (follow me @rumblinbuffalo, btw) and none of the responses really struck me as appropriate. I'm trying to stay away from reflexively naming an IPA each week, so Hop Devil from Victory was out, and the Demon series, also from Avery, is composed of beers far too large to be a "session" beer. So White Rascal it is.
I don't even like White Rascal. Too Belgian for my tastes. (the Belgian people are ever so nice, but I just don't like the yeasts they use in their beer.) However, I'm fully aware many people like that sort of thing, and that White Rascal is a hit in that community of White Ale fans. It's a nice, light brew, tweaked with hints of orange and coriander, which compliment the style nicely. Think of it like an unfiltered Blue Moon, only with balls. Very refreshing, and a nice change of pace from typical tailgate beers.
While I may not personally like the style, this is a great brew. Give it a try, you may even find that you like the taste of Belgian yeast. It even comes in convenient cans, perfect for bringing to a tailgate. Drink your beer, damnit!
Happy Friday! Go Buffs, Beat the Spread!
Quick Post: On Game 6 of the World Series
I enjoyed myself immensely last night. What a game, what an evening of baseball.
But there's Joe Cowley and his tired, bitter ilk, bitching and moaning about the quality of the game. It wasn't a well played game before the late-inning dramatics, the ratings are still going to be crap, the sport has been fucked by management who don't seem to know what they're doing, football will wash the memories of October 27th away before November even sets in, yadda yadda yadda.
Who the fuck cares? Isn't the point of watching sports to be entertained, to be drawn into things you really have no right to care about? I have little to no reason to actually care about this World Series, other than the fact that I really like baseball, yet I sat in breathless anticipation as the extra innings of Game 6 unfolded. I imagine I experienced exactly what past generations felt when consuming Game 6's from '75 and '86; an overwhelming sense of mirthful disbelief as baseball proves again that anything, truly anything, can happen if you watch it long enough, and I better not go anywhere.
What could possibly be more entertaining than two consecutive innings featuring a team coming back from the brink of a 2-strike count with 2 outs and the season on the line? That someone dropped a fly-ball in the 4th is of no concern when a team refuses to die in the 9th, 10th, and 11th.
Game 7 could suck terribly, a blowout with no inherent drama, and it will do nothing to diminish the magic that I immersed myself in while watching Game 6. Save it for the time capsule, I'll want to see all of that again someday.
God bless this little sport.
But there's Joe Cowley and his tired, bitter ilk, bitching and moaning about the quality of the game. It wasn't a well played game before the late-inning dramatics, the ratings are still going to be crap, the sport has been fucked by management who don't seem to know what they're doing, football will wash the memories of October 27th away before November even sets in, yadda yadda yadda.
Who the fuck cares? Isn't the point of watching sports to be entertained, to be drawn into things you really have no right to care about? I have little to no reason to actually care about this World Series, other than the fact that I really like baseball, yet I sat in breathless anticipation as the extra innings of Game 6 unfolded. I imagine I experienced exactly what past generations felt when consuming Game 6's from '75 and '86; an overwhelming sense of mirthful disbelief as baseball proves again that anything, truly anything, can happen if you watch it long enough, and I better not go anywhere.
What could possibly be more entertaining than two consecutive innings featuring a team coming back from the brink of a 2-strike count with 2 outs and the season on the line? That someone dropped a fly-ball in the 4th is of no concern when a team refuses to die in the 9th, 10th, and 11th.
Game 7 could suck terribly, a blowout with no inherent drama, and it will do nothing to diminish the magic that I immersed myself in while watching Game 6. Save it for the time capsule, I'll want to see all of that again someday.
God bless this little sport.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
ASU Preview: A devil of a time
At last, the no good, lame month of October is coming to a close. I knew going in that October would probably end with an 0-5 record, with a whole bunch of blowouts thrown in for good measure, but this has almost been worse than I could've imagined prior to the WSU game. So far, the 10th month of 2011 has thumped CU to the tune of 176-60. Woof.
Before the season started I saw at least a few opportunities for sweet, sweet victory in November, but now I'm not so sure. At least there's fewer opportunities for a 40 point blowout.
--
The Sun Devil is an acceptably unique mascot; certainly better than their Territorial Cup rival Arizona Wildcats. To take advantage of the unique aspects of having a Devil for a mascot, I unapologetically present this clip of the Robot Devil from Futurama.
The Buffs are off to warmer climates, poised to hit the Valley of the Sun for the first time since 2007. Kickoff is set for 4:30, but there's no TV coverage to avoid looking at this weekend. If you really want to, you can join Mark Johnson on 850 KOA to agonize over the play-by-play.
Click below for my preview...
Before the season started I saw at least a few opportunities for sweet, sweet victory in November, but now I'm not so sure. At least there's fewer opportunities for a 40 point blowout.
--
The Sun Devil is an acceptably unique mascot; certainly better than their Territorial Cup rival Arizona Wildcats. To take advantage of the unique aspects of having a Devil for a mascot, I unapologetically present this clip of the Robot Devil from Futurama.
(I got a hundred bucks on rectal exam bot!)
The Buffs are off to warmer climates, poised to hit the Valley of the Sun for the first time since 2007. Kickoff is set for 4:30, but there's no TV coverage to avoid looking at this weekend. If you really want to, you can join Mark Johnson on 850 KOA to agonize over the play-by-play.
Click below for my preview...
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Quick Post: Leaving games early
Yesterday, at his weekly press conference, Coach Embree praised CU fans for sticking it out and supporting the team last Saturday against Oregon. Indeed, I was pleased to see a full stadium Saturday afternoon. It helped that the weather on Homecoming was gorgeous, and that the ski slopes hadn't completely opened yet, but still, Buff Nation stepped up.
However, it's time to enter the confessional: I left at halftime Saturday afternoon. Actually, it was more like I sprinted out of the stadium at halftime last Saturday.
I had seen everything I needed to see Saturday, and found the prospect of a Big City Burrito far more enticing than the second half of a game that stopped being competitive with 13:24 to go in the first quarter. While it was Homecoming, the marching band, through the canceling of its traditional homecoming program, had made it abundantly clear that it wanted nothing to do with its alumni, so I didn't even have the prospect of playing some tuba like I usually do on Homecoming weekend.
In all honesty, I got bored. I showed up, sang the fight song, watched some Ralphie, and left. I'm not proud of it, if fact I'm a little ashamed.
But, I have to ask, is it ever acceptable to leave a game early?
However, it's time to enter the confessional: I left at halftime Saturday afternoon. Actually, it was more like I sprinted out of the stadium at halftime last Saturday.
I had seen everything I needed to see Saturday, and found the prospect of a Big City Burrito far more enticing than the second half of a game that stopped being competitive with 13:24 to go in the first quarter. While it was Homecoming, the marching band, through the canceling of its traditional homecoming program, had made it abundantly clear that it wanted nothing to do with its alumni, so I didn't even have the prospect of playing some tuba like I usually do on Homecoming weekend.
In all honesty, I got bored. I showed up, sang the fight song, watched some Ralphie, and left. I'm not proud of it, if fact I'm a little ashamed.
But, I have to ask, is it ever acceptable to leave a game early?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
There's always money in the Banana Stand
Following on the heels of the recent announcement of the return of "Arrested Development," I went on a watch-binge of the television series. A fantastic little show, I highly reccomend taking a peek if you have yet to be exposed to it.
One of the central lessons of the series is that "there's always money in the Banana Stand." The father, George Bluth, meant this literally, having lined the walls of the little frozen chocolate banana stand with $250,000 in cash, but, if you watch the series in its entirety, you'll notice that, through thick and thin, that little banana stand is the only reliable part of the Bluth family's income. They may disrespect it, forget about it, laugh about it, but that little stand is the rock that the family, and all their wealth, is built upon.
The Cross Country program at CU is our banana stand, and there's always money in the banana stand.
Fall sports have been, shall we say, 'rocky' in Buff-land for some time now. Specifically, this season has been flat-out terrible; prior to last Friday's win by the soccer team, CU had gone 0-for-2011 against Pac-12 schools in all sports. Ah, but the cross-country team. They've been, per usual, a shining beacon of hope in the fall portion of CU's sporting scene.
The mens squad is currently ranked 6th in the nation, having emerged victorious at the recent NCAA Pre-Invitational. They're one of six Pac-12 schools appearing in the top-30 poll, and stand barely behind Stanford, who sit at 4th. The womens team, also one of six Pac-12 schools in the top-30, had been sitting at 4th before a slightly disappointing finish at the same event, yet they still sit at a respectable 16th in the polls.
All told, the CC squad is, yet again, carrying the torch for fall success.
I'll admit, talking CC isn't exactly in my comfort zone. I'm the last one you'll find running on a typically beautiful Boulder afternoon, and it's hard to follow a sport that's rarely on TV and doesn't make for stadium viewing. However, I do love my Universtiy, and CC is all we got going on right now that I can trumpet with any seriousness (at least until basketball tips off... in 18 days, btw).
This weekend, instead of paying any attention to the injured, woe-begotten football program playing ASU in Tempe, AZ, I'm going to focus on, of all things, the Pac-12 Cross Country championships being held down the road in Litchfield Park, AZ. God knows this athletic department could use some good news, and hopefully the CC squads can provide it by staking claim to Pac-12 gold!
THERE'S ALWAYS SUCCESS IN THE CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM!
One of the central lessons of the series is that "there's always money in the Banana Stand." The father, George Bluth, meant this literally, having lined the walls of the little frozen chocolate banana stand with $250,000 in cash, but, if you watch the series in its entirety, you'll notice that, through thick and thin, that little banana stand is the only reliable part of the Bluth family's income. They may disrespect it, forget about it, laugh about it, but that little stand is the rock that the family, and all their wealth, is built upon.
The Cross Country program at CU is our banana stand, and there's always money in the banana stand.
Fall sports have been, shall we say, 'rocky' in Buff-land for some time now. Specifically, this season has been flat-out terrible; prior to last Friday's win by the soccer team, CU had gone 0-for-2011 against Pac-12 schools in all sports. Ah, but the cross-country team. They've been, per usual, a shining beacon of hope in the fall portion of CU's sporting scene.
The mens squad is currently ranked 6th in the nation, having emerged victorious at the recent NCAA Pre-Invitational. They're one of six Pac-12 schools appearing in the top-30 poll, and stand barely behind Stanford, who sit at 4th. The womens team, also one of six Pac-12 schools in the top-30, had been sitting at 4th before a slightly disappointing finish at the same event, yet they still sit at a respectable 16th in the polls.
All told, the CC squad is, yet again, carrying the torch for fall success.
I'll admit, talking CC isn't exactly in my comfort zone. I'm the last one you'll find running on a typically beautiful Boulder afternoon, and it's hard to follow a sport that's rarely on TV and doesn't make for stadium viewing. However, I do love my Universtiy, and CC is all we got going on right now that I can trumpet with any seriousness (at least until basketball tips off... in 18 days, btw).
This weekend, instead of paying any attention to the injured, woe-begotten football program playing ASU in Tempe, AZ, I'm going to focus on, of all things, the Pac-12 Cross Country championships being held down the road in Litchfield Park, AZ. God knows this athletic department could use some good news, and hopefully the CC squads can provide it by staking claim to Pac-12 gold!
THERE'S ALWAYS SUCCESS IN THE CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM!
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