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Woelk: It's come down to two-game season for CU
Ten down, two to go, and a season still up in the air.
Dan Hawkins' Colorado Buffaloes have a chance — make that an opportunity — to make this a special season. They can qualify for a bowl game, finish with a 5-3 Big 12 record (tying the best conference mark at CU since 2002) and even quadruple their number of wins from a year ago.
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More Buffzone Columnists
- Woelk: Young Buffs should be worth a look
- Woelk: CU's faith in Hawkins will pay off
- Woelk: Gap still large between CU, Big 12's best
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Any way you slice it, those would be nice numbers.
The flip side, of course, is that they could turn last week's rout at the hands of Missouri into a November free fall, lose one or both of their last two games and be home for the holidays.
Any way you slice that kind of finish, it would still come up sour.
Certainly, none of the above scenarios is out of the question. What we've seen after 10 weeks is a team that has the potential to play well and with anyone — and the potential to fall flat on its face.
Do not discount the quality of either of the remaining opponents. While the Buffs look to Oklahoma as their "signature" win this season, Iowa State took OU down to the wire and last week beat Kansas State. If you've conveniently forgotten, here's a reminder: Kansas State thumped Colorado just a month ago, 47-20.
As for Nebraska, Buff fans regaling in the misfortunes of Husker nation should not forget that NU still has good players. It's the same Nebraska team that went to Wake Forest and won this year. And, if you think the Huskers are going to slip into Folsom and roll over for the Buffs, you are greatly underestimating the power of the rivalry that has developed between the two programs.
What it comes down to is a two-game season — and any talk about how far the Buffs have come to this point is moot. Just doesn't matter. Hawk knows the jury is still out, and he's quite aware that no verdict will be returned until the afternoon of Nov. 23.
"There are so many things that can happen positively and negatively," Hawkins said Tuesday afternoon. "You can't just say, 'I'm pretty pleased with the season' and then go out and lay a couple of eggs.
"You also can't say, 'I'm not too happy,' then win three games and be saying, 'All right, that's what I'm looking for.' I've been around too long to fall into that trap."
Hawk has also been around long enough to know this: When a two-game stretch run means the difference in how an entire season is judged, coaching — more than anything else — makes the difference.
It means Hawk and his staff must find a way to correct the mistakes that led to a 55-10 loss to Missouri in a hurry. It means Hawk and his staff must find a way to rebuild confidence overnight.
Most of all, it means Hawk and his staff must condense a season's worth of teaching and coaching into a few short weeks.
It won't be easy. The Buffs still have too many young players making mistakes they attribute to inexperience. But as Buff cornerback Terrence Wheatley noted earlier this week, that excuse is wearing thin. After 10 games, even freshmen should be ready to shed the mistakes that have plagued them to this point.
Understand that Hawk isn't using youth — or talent level or the sun or the moon — as an excuse. Hawk doesn't sell alibis, and he's not expecting anyone to start buying them.
"Ultimately, we got our fannies whipped (by Missouri) and that's my fault," Hawkins said. "We have to do a better job as coaches."
But now the Buffs have two more games against teams with whom they should be evenly matched.
Now, it's time for the young Buffs to grow up.
Ten games down, two to go?
Make that three to go — but only if the Buffs play up to their potential.
Posted by mgmtgrad on November 7, 2007 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't disagree with Neil, but our expectations as fans are in constant change. Winning is every fan's expectations. But, at the end of last year, most were predicting a 4-5 win season this year. As we got closer to the season with all of the hype, our expectations increased. When we beat OU, many including me were thinking amazing turn around and our expectations went up again.
Then KSU and KU came along and reminded us that this was a young team; a team that will be even better in the comming years. Again our expectations continue to increase, even with a couple of losses.
We all believe the Buffs could/should win the last two games of the season and go bowling. But for the reason Neil stated above those teams are not just going to roll over for the Buffs.
I guess that's why they play the games.
GO BUFFS!
Marcus J
Posted by rbboulder on November 7, 2007 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My expectations have been since the end of last year, to win 6 or maybe 7 games(during the regular season) and hopefully go bowling. Even after the OU win, I thought the 6-7 number would be right. Iowa St is difficult at home, but K St made a few mistakes that cost them the game last week. With Nebraska, who knows. They have great talent and bad coaching. Still, they want to send their seniors with the best possible outcome. Like Hawk and Neil say, our Buffs need to play smart with the minimun mistakes possible, and the game plans have to be very good from the coaching staff. GO BUFFS !
Posted by buffalo_flyer on November 7, 2007 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The ISU game will be tough but the Buffs are at least the number four team in the Big-12 north. They should be able to pull out the win and get to bowl eligibility. Not bad for a team of underclassmen
As for NU, they have given up and will pose zero threat. kno heart, kno talent, kno defense, kno coach, kno respect. The entire country applauded the 76 points they gave up to KU
Posted by Saheeb on November 7, 2007 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great news. Stephen Hicks, a 3-star safety from Texas just committed. He's got a bit of height at 6'1 and good speed at 4.5. He had offers from Tennesee, TX A&M, Nebraska, Missouri. This is a good score. He's ranked as the 25th best satefy for 2008. This class is starting to come together nicely. http://colorado.scout.com/a.z?s=148&a...
Posted by rbboulder on November 7, 2007 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope Tom Osborne does not fire Cally before the CU game. My concern is that Cally is fired before and then the team rallies around their beloved TO. If Cally is still in place, then it is more likely that they won't be as motivated, although, for them, to play the Buffs in Boulder is always motivation. We'll see. I guess it also depends what happens to their next game against K St. If NU pulls the win, then they can try to get 6-6 for the year and a probable bowl invitation. GO BUFFS !, let's take care of Iowa St first.
Posted by Saheeb on November 7, 2007 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rbboulder: Agreed. And, I think canning Cally before the game and announcing a successor might also help some of their wavering recruits stay committed.
Posted by NorCalLovesDaBuffs on November 7, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CU should easily win both remaining games. Also, this "young" team description is a little misleading. The only two standouts on defense are seniors, as well as our biggest offensive threat.
Posted by GloryGloryColorado on November 7, 2007 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you have a freshman starting at qb with 21 seniors, you have a young team. Colorado definitely has a young team, lots of freshman playing big minutes. What are the expectations for next year? I'd say at least a north title. This program looks like its about to take off. Go ahead and start drawing up plans to fill in the north end with 15000 more seats. A program this sexy is going to need a bigger stadium.
Posted by SnowBuff on November 7, 2007 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope we do. I just think some of the guys on our D are played out, done. Next year that won't happen with the large amount of added depth the redshirts and new guys that are coming in will add.
North Title is reachable, but since I don't know the graduation rates of Mizzou/Kansas, it won't be easy.
Unless their lines are decimated and their defense takes several hits via graduation, I expect the same success from both of those teams with such incredible QBs.
It won't be an easy thing, winning the north. But this team can do it!
As for this year, they damn well should win both of these games. They have won every game they were favored to and a couple they weren't (like 3 TDs against OU and 2 to TT)
Posted by cumba06 on November 7, 2007 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We are a young team, and will return 16 of 22 starters. In my opinion the toughest two that we have to replace are Wheatly and Charles. Dizon will be replaced by Sipilli, Polumbus will be replaced by Tau, Harrison will be replaced by 1 of several players (I would guess Faatagi), and Barrett will be replaced by Higgins or Obi. If we can get Darrell Scott then he can replace Charles, but the other corner spot will be up in the air. There will also be a ton of compition for starting positions from the 07 recruiting class. All of the kids who red shirted, and will go through their first set of off season work outs will really push for playing time. Not to mention the benefit the off season will have for Kai and Miller.
Next year I think the Buffs will improve to 8-4 or 9-3. They won't win the North next year, but then again winning the North isn't what it used to be. It will take a 7-1 or 8-0 divisional record to win the North for the next several years.
Posted by cumba06 on November 7, 2007 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I forgot that we will have P.T. Gates next year as well to help replace Hugh. That will help, and give Scott the option of red shirting if nessicary. I guess Garnder McKay will be the front runner to replace Wheatly.
Posted by SnowBuff on November 7, 2007 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Zero chance Scott will reshirt next year. 5 star athletes do not come to schools like ours to redshirt.
Posted by Realist on November 7, 2007 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To Buffalo_Flyer....Where did you get your information that the entire country applauded the 76 points against the Huskers? You must have a very good pipeline (NOT).
Also, the only correct posts in your string of Knos is the Kno coaches. The Husker players have talent and heart.
Posted by walto_clown on November 7, 2007 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Scott has (reportedly) said numerous times he's going to a school at which he can contribute as a true freshman. According to Scout, Coach Hawk told him that he had an opportunity to contribute (or did he say start?)here his first year if he worked for it and earned it. Hawk can back that up also. He's the anti-Callahan!
Florida State loses at least 11 key seniors next year. Their O-line in particular will be decimated. I like our chances on the road. Payback to Cory Surrency and redemption at our lackluster offensive performance this season. But take it with a grain of salt because as my friends (at least I think they're my friends) like to point out, I'm usually wrong about these things.
West Virginia loses roughly seven key seniors. Not sure if those athletic freaks of nature White and Slaton will be drafted or return. I'd guess that at least Slaton goes to the NFL, but that's not an informed opinion.
KU is a young team like CU and should be a challenge for a while. Not looking forward to sharing a division with those guys for the next two years. But they're good for the Big XII North so I can't complain too much.
Mizzou loses about ten key seniors and I'm hoping that Coffman goes to the NFL (seriously, just go dude...).
I love CU's tough schedule! I look SO forward to these games. Bring it on! Go Buffs!
Posted by walto_clown on November 7, 2007 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Realist. The program with which I'm currently associated employs graduates from many of the D-1 schools in the nation. The talk this week, all week, has been the joy of Nebraska's whoopin'. I hate Nebraska as much as the next guy, but I'm a Big XII North fan so I tend not to initiate the conversations--even with the Husker grads (honestly, after what happened in Boulder this week, I wasn't in a position to throw stones). Nebraska dominated teams for so long with little regard to the score you can't blame folks for being happy. I don't have a pipeline, and I'm well aware my sample is limited. Nonetheless, my observations support Buff_Flyer's assertion.
Go Buffs!
Posted by SnowBuff on November 7, 2007 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The good thing is that their is not a single game on the schedule where I automatically count the buffs out. They won't win all of those games, but I would be very surprised if they didn't win 1 or 2 of that brutal stretch. Hawk can coach, and this team will be a LOT older on offense and a LOT deeper on the defensive line (thought Twheat and Dizon will be missed elsewhere!)
Posted by trubuff on November 8, 2007 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You don't need an information pipeline to know that most people outside of Neb. dislike the Huskers, its common knowledge (sorry, the N does NOT stand for knowledge). They used to run the score up on so many people that they lost respect from the casual fan a long time ago. People all over the country are enjoying seeing Notre Dame and the Huskers lose big this year.
Posted by phibuffa on November 8, 2007 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not know why anyone would think Nebraska is not a disliked team. I have a friend who went to Cal who told me this week he hopes Cal "...puts a Kansas-style whuppin' on USC". He meant that as both props for KU and disdain for Nebraska (and, for that matter, USC). He's a PAC 10 guy, and he roots against USC, Notre Dame and Nebraska (and, of course, the Florida schools), just like most the rest of the country who does not have a vested interest in one of those teams. That is just the way it is. "USC is filled with rich kids", "Notre Dame gets all the breaks, including their own t.v. contract", "Nebraska is filled with clones who have nothing better to do", and the "Florida schools are filled with criminals who failed their SATs". Generally untrue? Yes? Unfair? Probably. Fun for the rest of us? You know it!
Posted by extrapoint on November 8, 2007 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As long as we are trashing Notre Dame, USC (wont even watch that game) and Nebraska, lets throw in Michigan and Ohio State. (wont watch that game either.) The Michigan fans I have met are really arrogant. Lloyd Carr has probably done less with more talent than any coach in the country. Whenever he loses he has some curmudgeonly sour grapes excuse. He will never give credit to a team that has beaten him. Loved the 2 time smackdown FL gave Ohio State last year even if it was at the hand of another overdog. Jim Tressel has the same smugness of Callihan. He is probably a lot smarter than Callihan but he encourages dirty play from his guys on the field. The amount of money that is involved with these "big time" programs has taken them away from the spirit of sportsmanship and the game.
Posted by rodrigo on November 9, 2007 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Which all makes 2007 a great year in college football (except the Ohio State is undefeated part). Don't know about y'all but I think it's pretty crazy - in a good - way, that Kansas and Mizzou might be playing for a BCS bid while all these other big-name programs are walking around with a big black eye. I think extra pinpointed it: Nebraska fans used to be the definition of smug; Notre Dame reeks smug; Michigan fans think they should win every game just cuz they're Michigan. It is truly awesome to watch these folks have to face up to the fact that you have to earn success, week by week, year in year out.
I'll take Buddha daddy Hawk love any day.
Posted by Gr8fulTed on November 9, 2007 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was in Lawrence for the KU thumping of Big Red last week and it's the closest thing to Nirvana since I saw the Dead play at Folsom in 1972. Hope KSU deals 'em the same hand tomorrow.
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