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Woelk: Tigers just latest big test for Buffs
Years ago, a man whose job it was to pay close attention to such things told me one simple way to measure the difference between an average football coach and a good one:
Average coaches win only games they're supposed to win.
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Good coaches win games they aren't supposed to.
Of course, the second part of that equation is that good coaches always get to the point that they are favored to win most of their games. When that happens, they've built a program that has a solid foundation. Then they reload instead of rebuild.
But Colorado, in the second year of the Dan Hawkins era, is still in the rebuilding phase — and twice this year, the Buffs have won games in which they were heavy underdogs.
Fact is, Hawk's Buffs have done more this year than most objective observers thought they could, particularly in light of the schedule they've played. The Buffs' schedule is currently ranked as the 22nd toughest in the nation (it's been as high as No. 5). They've beaten one team still ranked in the top 10 and two teams with winning records; two of their losses have come to teams that are still unbeaten and ranked in the top 10; and they've already more thandoubled their number of wins from a year ago.
The improvement is significant.
The reward is another game against a quality opponent today, the No. 9 Missouri Tigers.
The Tigers are mere four-point favorites, a number that would be at least three times that much if the game were being played in Missouri. The Tigers have a potent offense, an improving defense and play-makers virtually everywhere you look.
It's another game the Buffs aren't supposed to win, meaning another test for Colorado in a season that's been loaded with make-or-break exams.
It's the Tigers' offense that has turned folks' heads. MU quarterback Chase Daniel might be the best the Buffs
see this year. Mizzou has big, fast tight ends, speedy wide receivers and able running backs. The Tigers love to employ a no-huddle attack, and have made life miserable this year for opponents.
It will be yet another challenge for a CU defense that has for the most part more than held its own against top-flight offenses this year. The Tigers are the type of team that can put points up in a hurry. They've scored at least 30 points in every game this year, they're averaging more than 40 per game and they lead the nation in third-down conversions (66-of-116, 56.9 percent).
But the key for the Buffs today — just as it was a week ago against Texas Tech — will be CU's offense.
The Buffs won at Texas Tech last week because the offense was able to put together long, sustained scoring drives. They kept TTU's potent offense off the field, and kept CU's defense rested at the same time. Not until late in the game, when the Buffs' offense stalled on three straight possessions, did Texas Tech manage to close the gap.
In that same vein, CU must also match the effort it produced against the Red Raiders in the turnover department. Colorado did not give up the ball once in Lubbock, while forcing four TTU turnovers.
It's a formula the Buffs have to follow to stay in games. The Buffs have proven they cannot easily overcome errors and win (Kansas, Kansas State). But when they win the turnover battle (Oklahoma, Texas Tech) and the offense eats clock, they can play with anyone.
Of course, as Hawk says, "Easy to say, hard to do."
But if the Buffs are going to win another game they're not supposed to win, they'll have to replicate the formula again.
Posted by mgmtgrad on November 3, 2007 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait.... GO BUFFS.
Posted by mntbyker on November 3, 2007 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO BUFFS!
Posted by MDBuff on November 3, 2007 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Neill's right. We need another big game the offense, esp. from Hugh, who needs to get lots of yardage and take time off the clock. The Mizzou defense isn't nearly as strong as its prolific offense. Some more picks from T-Wheat would help our cause, too. Go Buffs!
Posted by Ralphie2 on November 3, 2007 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO BUFFS!!! LET'S PACK FOLSOM!!!
DARRELL SCOTT (The #1 H.S. running back) WILL BE ON HIS OFFICIAL RECRUTING TRIP TODAY! LET'S WELCOME HIM!!!!
Posted by CaliBuff on November 3, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Buffs, Let's put on a show tonight!
Posted by oz_in_cali on November 3, 2007 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's go Buffs! Lets hope they continue to grow and progress as a team. A win today would be tremendous!
GO BUFFS!
Posted by archalon on November 3, 2007 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cheering you on from Minnesota - make us transplanted Buffs fans proud.
Posted by oz_in_cali on November 3, 2007 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Question of the day:
What happened to Dr. Tom and all his alter-egos?
As I sit here waiting for the Buffs to come on I can't help but have a smile on my face and think about all of the trolls spewing venom about 5 or 6 weeks ago (right around the time Nebraska won their last football game), as KU has just intercepted yet another pass and look to add more points to what is right now a 69-31 rout. At this rate it won't be long before Callahan and Watson are tarred, feathered and carried out of Lincoln on a rail.
I am not being sarcastic when I say this, but I actually feel kind of bad for the Nebraska football team (not the fans, not Callahan, and certainly not Shawn Watson - mind you, but the football team). While I have always (and still do) felt a healthy amount of contempt for Nebraska football, I also had a lot of respect for what they were able to do on a consistent basis. Kind of like the way I kind of feel bad for Mike Tyson. Not because I like the guy (he's a scumbag), but because I remember what an incredible juggernaut he was and the HUSK of a man (pun intended) that he has become. I feel bad about the wasted talent and potential, I guess is what I am trying to say.
Oh! make that 76-31 (most points allowed ever by a Nebraska football team), KU just scored again. How far they have fallen from being back a couple of months ago, to being on their backs today. As our friend DrTomBuffwinkleEtc... is so fond of saying, ORDER RESTORED!
By the way, I think we can officially say that this Kansas team is for real. Nice work by Coach Mangino and his kids.
GO BUFFS!
Posted by T1 on November 3, 2007 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well... it doesn't look like they're up to the challenge tonight. mizzou and kansas rule the roost. The tail wags the dog.
Posted by MDBuff on November 3, 2007 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just forget about what happened tonight and move on by preparing for ISU.
Posted by T1 on November 3, 2007 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Agreed. It's a disappointing result but this team can't go into the tank like nebraska. Getting whipped in a game is one thing but quitting is another. The next two games are what will prove the character of these Buffs. I honestly have no idea what will happen but I support the team win or lose.
Posted by WisconsinTiger on November 3, 2007 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A nice win for Mizzou in a beautiful location. My two favorite teams are the Tigers and whoever is playing Nebraska. Go get 'em, Buffs
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