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Woelk: These Buffs have become a good team
This one isn't a fluke. Not an upset, not a stunner, not one that should surprise anyone.
Dan Hawkins' Colorado Buffaloes beat a pretty good football team Saturday, on the road, and looked right at home doing it. The Buffs needed a win to turn their season back in the right direction, and they took care of business with a 31-26 win in a stadium in which they'd never won before.
There were no freak circumstances, no miracle moments in this one. The Buffs simply made more plays than Texas Tech, and they made them at key junctures. They executed well-conceived game plans on both sides of the ball, they never panicked, and their best players became difference-makers.
That's what good teams do. Given all the evidence presented Saturday, the Buffs qualify for that category.
Of course, that designation comes with a codicil, the same one that's followed these Buffs all season.
The Buffs are a good team when they play at their highest level. They are still a team that does not have the firepower or manpower to overcome mistakes. They are still a team with a margin for error as slim as the few seconds that made the final difference in Saturday's game.
But when they limit their mistakes, and when their best players make plays, they are good enough to compete withjust about any team on their schedule.
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The Buffs didn't work any magic against the Red Raiders. Unlike come-from-behind wins over Colorado State and Oklahoma earlier this year, Colorado took control early and maintained that edge for most of the game.
Yes, the Red Raiders did rally. Yes, it certainly got close down the stretch. Colorado's offense went on the fritz in the fourth quarter, when even a couple of first downs after two TTU turnovers would have given the Buffs some breathing room.
But if you didn't expect the Raiders to rally, you haven't been watching them play. They've put up plenty of yards and a plethora of points on just about everyone they've played. They're a good team, and to expect them not to make some plays themselves would be silly.
It was Colorado, though, that had the edge when it came to play-makers. The Buffs aren't loaded with those kinds of players, but the ones they do have all came up big.
The three-interception day by Terrence Wheatley might be one of the best performances by a CU defensive back since the days when the Buffs where churning out Thorpe Award winners. The matchup between Wheatley and TTU's Michael Crabtree was one for the ages, and Wheatley more than held his own.
Then there's linebacker Jordon Dizon. The nation' leading tackler came up huge with an interception return for a touchdown, along with nine tackles. Dizon is money, and he rang up the register on Saturday.
Offensively, Hugh Charles bounced back from a tough game against Kansas to give Colorado a huge boost in the running game. Charles has taken more than his fair share of criticism this year, but Saturday, his effort on the ground helped the Buffs put forth perhaps their best all-around offensive performance of the year.
And, quarterback Cody Hawkins silenced the wolves at the door with a very effective performance: two touchdowns, no interceptions and a well-managed game all-around.
Stat of the day: For only the 13th time in CU history, the Buffs didn't allow a sack or turn the ball over. Not surprisingly, they are 13-0 in those games.
Good team?
Saturday, the Buffs proved they can meet that standard.
Posted by hinfinityl on October 28, 2007 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AWESOME WIN, BUFFALOES!!! Couldn't be prouder... One more win, and we'll see you wherever you play in December or January... DID I MENTION DIZON IS THE MAN!? GO BUFFS!!!
Posted by CarolinaBuffFan on October 28, 2007 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I took a look at the standings and there could potentially be 10 bowl eligble teams in the Big 12. I think that CU needs 7 wins to get a bowl. 6 teams have 6+ wins, 3 have 5 wins, and the Huskers have 4.
Yikes.
Posted by skibuff on October 28, 2007 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Key victory for our young Buffs. LIke most will agree, a repeat of our execution in Lubbock, next week in Folsom, could produce a hard fought win against the Tigers. Suddenly Missouri doesn't seem as formidable as at this time last week after losing to a good KU team we had ample opportunties to beat. Our four losses have come against teams that our 26-6, with OU & KU in the top ten in the nation and overall Buff opponents are 47-26, yet skewed somewhat by the Rams 1-7 record. In a worst case scenario, the Buffs should become bowl eligible and 8-4 or 7-5 is not out of the realm of possiblities.
But, if we win just one of our last three, outside of the fact that our fans don't travel well, I would hope bowl officials would take our Top 10 strength of schedule into consideration. There are likely to be 9 teams eligible in the Big 12. We need to finish strong and focus on the game each week knowing that along with the Tigers next week, Iowa State played the Sooners strong at home and the Huskers will have nothing to lose coming into Boulder. Hawkins has been excellent on keeping this young team focused week to week, so I'm expecting good things to happen as a result, starting next week. Lets break this year's curse of losing under the lights, which will be on the 2nd half.
Go Buffs!
Posted by mgmtgrad on October 28, 2007 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nine games on TV. A possible 7+ win season. Beating 3rd ranked (at the time) OU. New recruites like John Major commiting.
Damn Good for a team that went 2-10 last year.
Neil is right, the Buffs have been coached well enough to be good. The future looks to be even brighter.
GO BUFFS
Marcus J
Posted by MDBuff on October 28, 2007 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice article, Neill. True, the Buffs are much improved from last year, and showed yesterday that they can be a good team, but to quote SI write Stewart Mandel, the Buffs are "all over the map." Let's hope the team from this game and the OU game shows up next week vs. Mizzou, and not the one trounced by KSU.
Or maybe it was the TV shots of Misti Hawkins that was their lucky charm?!?
Posted by TallyBuff on October 28, 2007 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Marcus J <mgmtgrad>: Well put!
Neil may not have been spurprised, but I was. These guys are resilient and bounced back from a tough 2 week stretch to play near their highest level and get a tough road win.
As I have been saying all season, I really like the way Hawk is putting his stamp on this program. We are going to be a consistent top-20 team, maybe starting as early as 2008. 6-6 was what I was hoping to see this year, and we now have a legitimate shot at 7-5 or even 8-4. It's been a heckuva a season with more ball to play!
Posted by MDBuff on October 28, 2007 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Neill-
How about an update on the Buffs' recruiting (e.g., the impact of becoming a better team, landing Major (Hooray! Can we get him to sit between you and Kyle and talk about his decision on BuffZone?), and possible impact of NU's recent troubles? Thanks.
Posted by SnowBuff on October 28, 2007 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everybody... its JON MAJOR, NOT JOHN. You may refer to him (when he starts playing) as "The Major"(tm).
Get it right folks!
And Neil, as usual, is right on the money. He may be a homer, but he does keep those eyes open. NO crucial 3rd down drops, only 1 bad throw by Cody, and another 4th down TD catch. Has Cody ever NOT thrown a TD on 4th and goal? Look thtat up Neil!
Posted by Ralphie2 on October 28, 2007 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MORE RECRUITING INFO, NEIL!!! GO BUFFS!!!
Posted by CarolinaBuffFan on October 28, 2007 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As I mentioned above there could be 10 bowl qualifying teams this year. Five of them from the North (OSU still has Baylor left).
That being said I did a little analysis (gee, I'm smart) with respect to the pre-conference schedule.
Big XII North scheduled 8 BCS member teams in pre-conference (CU, UM, and NU had 2 apiece).
4 Wins (Wake Forest, Iowa, Illinois, Ole Miss)
4 Losses (Auburn, Florida St., Arizona St., and USC)
Big XII South scheduled 2 BCS member teams in the pre-conference.
1 Win (Miami)
2 Losses (Miami, Georgia)
Note: OU and T A&M scheduled Miami.
Also, the "season series" if you will pitting the North against the South is tied at 8-8 right now with 2 games left (CU is 3-0 against the mighty South).
We all know that KSU and TTU scheduled cream puffs for years and TTU is going bowling now for the 8th straight year or something like that so they are doing something right. However, I like the quality of opponents that CU plays. It makes it more exciting to travel to watch CU play Arizona State than it does to say play Sam Houston or whoever the heck TTU plays. In any event, my point is the North has turned the corner against the South this year and I'm tired of hearing about the South should break out of the Big XII and CU should be in the Pac 10. The South should quit wiping their butts with lesser schedules.
Posted by CarolinaBuffFan on October 28, 2007 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, extrapoint posted that signing Darell Scott would be overkill (and I'm not starting anything with extra - just making a subjective post) and I disagree.
USC for instance this class has the #9 and #26 4-star RB's. 2007 they had the #1, #2, oh, and #12 RB's. 2006 they had the #2, #11, #16, and #67 RB's.
That certainly wouldn't hurt us to get Polk and Scott.
Granted all those kids probably didn't pan out or moved to a different position to get some playing time but that is astounding the amount of offense that team gets.
Posted by NJBuff on October 28, 2007 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The great Seniors Wheatley and Dizon will go down in history as greatest Buffs! They each played spectacular games, as did Hugh Charles.
Great game Cody - so gutsy!
I wanted to point out that from a very far difference (watching on the tv) Nick Nelson truly looks like a team player. There were camera shots of him talking with Cody on the sidelines and it seemed that he genuinely cared for Cody to succeed. If my perception is correct, what a great team guy...and it says something about his character and the types of guys Coach Hawkins is bringing in.
It's hard to say this every week but it's true: this next game is the make or break game for the rest of the season. Win this game, and we can dream of a Big 12 North title..lose, and we're still one win from being bowl eligible. There's a big difference!
Let's Go Buffs!
Posted by SnowBuff on October 28, 2007 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with both extra and carolina... Scott is still an important signing (hell, just getting the #3 player in the nation would bring more like him), but as far as actual play on the field goes, he is no longer hugely important, just useful. Image wise, nothing would help CU like getting 2 #1 at their positions, and 2 top 40 players in the nation.
Posted by Ralphie2 on October 28, 2007 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I WILL HATE TO SEE T-WHEAT AND DIZON GO! THEY ARE GREAT BUFFS! I WILL, HOWEVER, ENJOY WATCHING THEM ON SUNDAYS FOR YEARS TO COME!
Posted by badbuff on October 28, 2007 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jeez is Missou in for a rude awakening...
They are about to face a Very Good Buff Club...in our house
one that with speed on "o"...and Major coming on board on "d" is about to explode on the rest of an unsuspecting college football world......
Posted by rodrigo on October 28, 2007 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tech seems to bring out the best in Riar Geer. What's with that?
Posted by rswright on October 28, 2007 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, how sweet it is. They have the maturity when they lost two in a row and with everything against them come back this week and take care of business. Can't admire them too much.
Posted by rswright on October 28, 2007 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, how sweet it is. They have the maturity when they lost two in a row and with everything against them to come back this week and take care of business. Can't admire them too much.
Posted by SnowBuff on October 28, 2007 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Man is playing with a torn ACL, give him a break. And lets hope Mizzou brings out the best of the defense... I want to see DIzon put up a clinic!
Posted by rodrigo on October 29, 2007 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not down on him, Snow. I think he'll be a stud for years to come. More likely it's something the coaches see. CU's dismantled a prolific Tech team two years running now and a big part on the offensive side has been tight ends - Geer in particular - doing some damage.
Can the same be done against Mizzou?
Posted by BuffSteve on October 29, 2007 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Seriously? Someone actually posted that signing Darrell Scott would be overkill? If that's true then that is one of the most insane things I've ever read. If that young man wants to play his college football at CU then a coach should SPRINT a letter of intent to his front door! We all complain about the lack of playmakers on the CU roster the last 4-5 years and there are no guarantees but if Scott doesn't qualify as a playmaker then I don't know who does.
Posted by clbuff on October 30, 2007 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For those wondering how recruiting is going take this into consideration. Hawkins and his staff are not only looking at the historic sources of football talent for CU, California and Texas, he is going after 4 and 5 star athletes out of the South. While it is a long shot of pulling kids out of ACC/SEC country, there are several 4 star athletes that have CU on their board. The man is going after the best of the best, no matter where they are from. Things definitely looking good for the Buffs.
Posted by archalon on October 30, 2007 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Scott on board would not be overkill - I hope he and several more 4-5 stars kids commit. If the TE who got burned tragically can still play, sign him. Sign Scott. sign the kid from Utah and the safety from Jersey. SIGN EM ALL !
No such thing as too much talent on a roster. Competition is good and why SEC teams are always competitive. Keep the best in your region (doing it so far, Hawk - thanks) and seek the best from elsewhere.
recruiting 101
Posted by footballlovermn on November 2, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey guys, the world knows the truth and I agree.
see.....
http://blogs.columbiatribune.com/foot...
Just read Hawk blog...whow...is there something personal? good eye NJBuff.
What's your opinon?
Go Buffs!
Posted by rootr_17 on November 2, 2007 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All -
Don't get too excited about recruits coming to Boulder. Remember Marcus Houston. Dude was #1 RB in the country - probably would have been great but in the end its the coaching staff that makes a recruit great.
Barnett could never do it. I think that Hawkins can...
Posted by SaintLouie on November 3, 2007 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Your little "feel good" story comes crashing back to earth tonight, You havent seen an offense like this one, yeah,yeah..you caught Oklahoma looking ahead to Texas, but even OU doesnt have the firepower of this MIZZOU offense, known as "the next greatest show on turf". Really your defense accomplished no more against OU than Iowa state did, today you give up season high in yards and points, it may reach half a hundred.
Posted by cubuffone on November 3, 2007 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OOOPS! I wonder what Neil will say now.
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