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.

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...

Friday Beer Post: 2013 Gameday Beer-o-the-week - Oregon St 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!"

Just a short drive up US 20 from Corvallis, OR is a wonderful little brewery famous for a pale ale worthy of our attention.  That beer, Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewing, is my gameday beer-o-the-week.

Not an adventurous pick, it's a strong offering from one of the few states that can hold a candle to Colorado when it comes to craft brewing.

Named after a key stretch of the Deschutes River in Bend, Mirror Pond Pale Ale is a great example of the now omnipresent northwestern pale ale style.  Strong Cascade hop flavors dominate the profile, but not so powerful as to venture into the hop-freak categories.  A Gold Medal winner from the 2010 GABF, it's a much beloved member of the craft beer community.

A few of these will do nicely when paired with good friends and a comfortable view of the big screen.

Happy Friday!  Go Buffs, pound the Beavers!

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...

Monday Grab Bag: Game week, finally

After two consecutive bye weeks the natives are getting restless.  By Saturday, it'll have been 21 days since the last time CU took the field in anger.  I can't imagine how it must feel to be in the course of the season and face a break of more than a fortnight between games.  Players play, and I don't fault the kids for being desperate to get back on the field.

I'm starting to convince myself that this will be a blessing in disguise for the team.  By the time week five starts they'll be fresh and eager, while a team like Oregon St has had to slog through three-straight weeks of close games.  Rhythm counts for a lot, but so does health. CU hasn't hit in weeks, leaving the two-deep clean, and ready to rock.

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Today in the bag, I'm taking a look back at my bye week picks, looking in on the soccer team on the eve of Pac-12 play, and making usual trip around the world of football.

Click below for the bag...

Friday Beer Post: 2013 Gameday Beer-o-the-week - Bye Week 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!"

Bye weeks mean no football, at least for our CU heroes. I'm not going to run out to the store to buy something special for just any old football - it has to be the Buffs!  Accordingly, my beer pick this week is simply whatever is in my fridge.

Let's see... *rummages*... AHA! My gameday beer-o-the-week is Autumn Ale from Breckenridge Brewery.

Seasonally appropriate, at least.  Good job, roommates!

A nice, beautifully dark ale, Autumn has a strong malty backbone.  Toasty, chocolate-y, it'll go perfect with the cooling nights of fall.  Not really hoppy, per se, it does feature some light bitterness, but this beer is all about the malt.  Mostly, it's a smooth drinking, larger body beer that is a nice change of pace from my typical fair.

At 6.7 ABV, don't just go diving into a six-pack.  Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy the slow pace of a college football Saturday from the comfort of your couch.


Happy Friday!  Go Buffs, beat [data not found]!

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.

A win's a win, right?

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.

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!

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.

Derek Carr and BSU QB Joe Southwick should put up buckets of points tomorrow.

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.

Ah, memories.

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. 

Yeah, good luck with that little bro.

If CSU can somehow manage a field goal, you're in the money.


GO BUFFS!  CRUSH THE RECRUITING TRAIL!