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Point-Counterpoint: Bigger win for Buffs: CSU or NU?
CSU
Josh Lindenstein
Ask 10 Colorado Buffalo football fans and at least eight would likely prefer a win over Nebraska than Colorado State if forced to choose.
The Lambs, after all, are merely little brother while the Huskers a hated conference rival.
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But make no mistake. A win over CSU in 17 days is far more important in the overall picture for the 2007 Buffs than a post-Thanksgiving feast against NU.
A win over CSU offers an immediate jolt of confidence into a program that's badly in need of some. It's instant affirmation that the team is in fact moving in the right direction (2006: CSU 14, CU 10), creating buzz around the program and in the bleachers again.
And all of a sudden, the Buffs begin believing in themselves. They believe they can pull off an upset of Arizona State or Florida State — whether they actually do or not. Other games on their schedule instantly look like should-wins instead of could-wins.
Not to mention, with Miami (Ohio) coming to town in late September, it almost guarantees the Buffs at least a 2-2 record heading into the conference slate. Split in conference and you're bowl eligible, another big step forward.
A loss on the other hand could be crippling. Oh-and-3 becomes a distinct possibility. Doubts creep into players' minds, and skepticism — or worse, indifference — abounds among supporters still punch-drunk from 2-10 in 2006.
Beat CSU and all of Colorado's goals seem attainable and there for the taking. Lose and it could be the beginning of another long season in Boulder, one in which not even a season-finale trouncing of Nebraska can soothe the Black and Gold soul.
NU
Ryan Thorburn
I don't think Bill McCartney ever used a green high-lighter.
When the legendary coach was hired to breathe some life into the Colorado football program 25 years ago he didn't circle the Colorado State game on the schedule.
Beating the Sheep should be a given. And the Buffs — despite some very lean years in the early 1980's — were 6-1 against CSU on McCartney's watch.
Of course, finding a way to get the victory over Sonny Lubick's experienced team at Invesco Field on Sept. 1 will be very important for CU if the program hopes to reach its modest goal of winning six games this year and playing in a bowl game. However, the biggest game of the season will be played Nov. 23 when Nebraska visits Folsom Field.
Last time I checked, CU and CSU were not in the same conference. If the Buffs are serious about making strides in the Big 12 they have to aim east on I-80.
The power programs are all in the South Division, led by Texas and Oklahoma, but the Cornhuskers remain the class of the North based on tradition and national interest.
Gary Barnett made his share of mistakes at CU and left the cupboard pretty bare for the new coaching staff. But the man did deliver on his promise to make the annual matchup with Nebraska a big game again, which it was in 2001 when the Buffs bludgeoned the national championship game-bound Huskers 62-36 en route to a Big 12 title.
McCartney's record against Nebraska was 3-8-1 during his 12 seasons at CU, but as soon as the Buffs started assembling the talent necessary to compete with the Huskers the winner usually went to the Orange Bowl and/or finished No. 1. CU's most important game of the season will be against Nebraska.
Circle it in red.
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Posted by rnorthro14 on August 15, 2007 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would say that the Huskers are a bigger win but the ewes are a bigger loss. CU is expected to beat the lambs no matter how bad the Buffs were the previous season. As much as it stings to lose to Nebraska, they are more widely regarded on a national scale.
Lets face it, CU is CU and CSU is CSU. When the Buffs lose to the Rams, it is a national embarrassment.
Posted by extrapoint on August 15, 2007 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a pointless discussion!!!
It implies you would accept a loss in one of the two.
And what makes you think you can beat NU if you cant beat the Lambs?
Right now CSU is the most important game.
Posted by KellDog on August 15, 2007 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree w/ the 1 point conversion > pat.
The CSU game is of maximum importance this year.
There 1st scrimmage started at 10:00 AM, coincidence right northrop.
I believe lil Hawk will guide us to a win, which will be huge for this program today.
dog
Posted by homeontherange on August 15, 2007 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
extrapoint hit it on the head. CSU is the most important game. When it's over the most important game is ASU, then FSU, then Miami,OH, then OU, and so on. One game at a time.
Posted by buffalo_flyer on August 15, 2007 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CSU - every year, it starts the season and sets the stage.
My CSU "friends" all think they are a lock and its going to be ugly. But take a look at Vegas odds and guess who is getting 3 points of love!
Posted by dabuffs50 on August 15, 2007 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vegas baby, Gotta love that.
We have to beat CSU.... That is a fact if we want to have a succesful season.
Posted by rswright on August 15, 2007 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good to see the ususal suspects present.
Posted by NorCalLovesDaBuffs on August 15, 2007 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A loss to CSU and any recuit considering CU for 08 instantly reconsiders. A loss to NU=1 loss, a loss to CSU for the 2nd straight year sets the program back 1-2 years.
Posted by cumba06 on August 15, 2007 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In the long run the Nebraska game is a bigger game for CU, but in the short run it is more important to beat CSU. A win to start the season will help moral, and show recruits that Hawkins isn't all talk. Over the course of a decade the success of the team will be proportional to the number of wins against Nebraska, since they are a strong divisional opponent.
The Vegas spread does not indicate which team is better. The line indicates what it takes in order to get half of the country to bet on CU and the other half to bet on CSU. Since CU gets more national exposure and are in a stronger conference they will naturally garner more bets, so the odds makers have to take away points to get more people to bet on CSU. The line IS NOT an indication in this case of which team is better.
Posted by dabuffs50 on August 15, 2007 at noon (Suggest removal)
I was merely commenting on the fact that Vegas is an awesome city. That line doesnt mean anything this far from gametime in my opinion. Look at last year, Bell went down and switched all the odds. We need to put up big points against CSU. They always play us tough and if we put up roughly 28+, I think our defense is good enough for us to win.
Posted by bufflover on August 15, 2007 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
how bout we beat both of them, that way we dont have to have this discussion. i liked how it was in 2001 when we beat both schools, and how it was in 2004. how about we beat them both, that way no one from fort collins or Lincoln can give us crap!!!
Posted by dabuffs50 on August 15, 2007 at 1:26 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by jenfalor on August 15, 2007 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please, no personal attacks or name calling. Let's keep these message boards civil. thanks.
-Jennifer Falor, online editor
Posted by buffalo_flyer on August 15, 2007 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
any chance we can also keep it related to the topic above?
I for one have no interest in this guys take on last season
Posted by extrapoint on August 15, 2007 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The doc cant help it.
Posted by buffalo_flyer on August 16, 2007 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CSU may be in another conference, but the rivalry feels bigger than Nebraska because their alumni are all here and always up in your face. That game gets legs all year long.
Lose to Nebraska and those fans will make you feel warm and fuzzy and the next thing you know you're rooting for the huskers in the Big-12 championship.
Posted by oz_in_cali on August 17, 2007 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Right now as it stands, CSU is the biggest game of the season. In fact, right now it's the only game that matters. Why? Because it's the next game on the schedule. After that game is over, the most important game is ASU, then Florida State, then Miami, etc...
Given what the Buffs gave us last year and all of the uncertainty going into the season, our boys cannot look ahead to anyone. I agree with extrapoint when he says that the discussion is pointless. Coach Hawk and the kids need to take this season one game at a time.
GO BUFFS!