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Woelk: Respectable won't be good enough vs. OU
That's a start.
Colorado 42, Miami (not Florida) 0.
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Good game, great day and everyone wearing black and gold went home feeling good about their Buffaloes.
So is it too soon to talk about Oklahoma? Too soon to look ahead to the No. 4 team in the nation paying a visit to Folsom Field next Saturday?
Not that anyone from this corner would discount the Buffs' effort Saturday against the visiting RedHawks.
The Buffs were desperate to prove they had a running game — so they slapped 359 yards and four touchdowns on the board against Miami.
Not to be outdone, the passing attack dropped 275 yards and two touchdowns on Miami's defense, leaving the Buffs with 634 yards for the game, the 11th-most in program history and the most since piling up 767 against San Jose State in 1999.
Now, before you completely disregard Miami's defense, remember this: That defense held Ball State to a mere 13 points in a 14-13 season-opening win — the same Ball State that rolled up 610 yards and 40 points on Nebraska on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Colorado's defense simply turned it up a notch, playing even better than it did a week ago against Florida State. Along with the shutout, the Buffs limited Miami to a mere 139 total yards (2.8 per play) and allowed just three successful third-down conversions in 14 tries. Since we're on the subject of third downs, figure this: CU's defense has now held its last two opponents to 4-for-27 in that department.
But, as more than one Buff player pointed out Saturday afternoon, Miami is not Oklahoma. Not by any stretch of the imagination. The Sooners are mad (word on the street is that you should not mention "Fiesta Bowl" or "NCAA" within earshot of any OU folks), they are loaded with talent and they seem anxious to take out a year's worth of frustrations on anyone who gets in their way.
Next Saturday, the Buffs are the lucky ones to draw the assignment.
"We definitely know Oklahoma is not Miami of Ohio," said Buff QB Cody Hawkins, who threw for 275 yards and a pair of touchdowns — but also added a pair of interceptions to his totals. "Right now, all we're thinking about is the Sooners."
If that is indeed the case, here are a few things the Buffs might want to think about this morning:
Yes, the running game did show improvement, but there's still lots of work to be done. The Buffs had one long touchdown run called back because of a penalty and struggled at times in short-yardage situations. As CU coach Dan Hawkins noted, "We were not as clean as we wanted to be ... there's definitely room for improvement there."
And, while we already mentioned Cody Hawkins' interceptions, it's worth mentioning again: Those are not the kind of mistakes the Sooners will forgive. Throw a pick against Miami and the damage is minimal. Throw a pick against Oklahoma and it can turn into a seven-point mistake.
Said coach Hawkins about quarterback Hawkins: "He seems to take a mulligan every game. On that fourth down (interception), he had to get a little greedy and throw it downfield."
Word to the wise: Greed will not play well against the Sooners.
But this is mainly picking nits on a day when the Buffs most needed to pick up a win. Already, CU has matched its victory total from a year ago, with eight games remaining on the schedule. Given the state of the rest of the Big 12 (sans the Sooners), there's no reason to think Colorado can't pick up four or five more victories before season's end.
Certainly, Saturday was a solid step forward. While Dan Hawkins said a week ago that nobody starts the season aiming to be 2-2, this is about where most folks expected the Buffs to be after they completed their nonconference schedule. A close win over rival Colorado State, two respectable showings against Florida State and Arizona State, and a blowout win over Miami.
But next week, the Buffs will see the best team they've played in the Hawkins era, and likely the best team Hawkins has ever coached against.
The Sooners have no weaknesses, they have a chip on their shoulder and they are taking no prisoners in their quest to get another shot at a national title.
Respectable won't cut it against the Sooners. As much as the Buffaloes improved from Week 3 to Week 4, it will take another step of similar proportions to stay in the game with Oklahoma.
Saturday proved to be a get-well day for the Buffs, a game in which they could heal some of the ills that had plagued them for the first three weeks of the season. The Buffs made plays, corrected some mistakes and proved that they are moving in the right direction.
But that is by no means any guarantee that those problems won't return next week.
Posted by GoBuffs07 on September 23, 2007 at 5:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what game yesterday but they need a lot more to beat the sooners. They need to have the confidence that they can do it or they'll lose bad.
Posted by RIBuff on September 23, 2007 at 5:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What worries me most going into the OU game is that it was an illusion that mistakes have been corrected. It is one thing to make catches (finally) against a team you know you are supposed to beat. I want the team to know they can make those catches against any team. OU looks very solid there is no question about that but if it was an automatic win then there would be no need to play on Saturday.
I don't care about any chip OU has on there shoulder. They lost to Boise State because when it came down to it they were outcoached and outplayed. They have no right to have a chip on their shoulder unless it is a chip against themselves.
Can OU be beat? Ceartainly. Given what has already happened this year (App. St, Ball St almost got Nebraska, etc.) anything is possible. Will CU beat OU? That depends on what team shows up. If the defense continues to play tough like they have and the offense really has fixed some of the problems that plagued them against ASU and FSU then they have a real chance.
I wish I could be there. Let's drown out the Sooner contingency that will be present and get a signature win this season.
Shoulder to Shoulder We will fight, fight, fight, fight, fight!!
GO BUFFS!
Posted by bouldabuff on September 23, 2007 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah but OU's defense against Tulsa was far from impressive--they gave up 400 yards of total offense---350 passing yards with a 62% completion percentage. If not for some stupid mistakes by Tulsa's QB Paul Smith that game would have been much closer.
Don't worry 2ndBuff the sooners will come back down to earth at some point this year....I just hope it happens next weekend.
Posted by bleedblackandgold on September 23, 2007 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
2ndbuff, you've made it clear all year that your a die hard sooner fan...... I just don't understand why you troll so much on this board (with an obvious re-building team). I'm sure when your beloved sooners start slumping in a couple of years and the buffs are hitting full stride, you'll be nowhere to be found. Until then, it would be great if OU overlooks the Buffs and we pull off the stunner next week!
Posted by rswright on September 23, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let the fans and the media rot. It doesn't matter what the fans say about who we played last week nor that the media says we will lose next week.
All the counts is that the coaches get the team to execute to the best of their ability. Everything else will take care of itself. Go Buffs, beat the Sooners.
Posted by JBuff on September 23, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When are people going to learn that OU is a pretty good team, then you put them in a BCS game and they embarrass themselves and the big 12. They've lost the last three BCS games they've played in head-turning fassion.
It's probably best we beat them and let someone else get a chance at the BCS game from this conference to save them and us from the embarrassment.
Posted by icfantv on September 23, 2007 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I liked Hawkins (the coach, on his son) quote during the post-game press conference, it was something to the tune of: "If he keeps throwing picks like those, he's not going to get his weekly gas money..." He then continued by saying "...on 1st and 2nd down, those are his call, but on 3rd and 4th, the call belongs to the coaches."
IMHO, Cody still needs to mature a little at the college QB position but his mistakes are correctable. The only thing that's not is his height.
Posted by nwbuff32 on September 23, 2007 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
His height has not been much of an issue. Kid is making freshmen mistakes and those will go away with time. His stats would be far better if our receivers didn't drop so many long balls. The best thing about this kid right now is that he is a freshmen, we get this kid for 3 more years after this season.
Posted by oz_in_cali on September 23, 2007 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, This is a first! Me and rswright in total agreement. Nice.
As I stated before the Miami(OH) game, the Buffs just need to worry about themselves. They need to forget about what the newspapers and the fans say or what the team across the field's name is and focus on playing the best ball they can play. if they can manage that, then the results will follow.
GO BUFFS!
Posted by extrapoint on September 23, 2007 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And in the same vein
all this talk about how the sooners have a chip on their shoulder and are mad is no value.
If any team goes into any game happy and complacent or without "a chip on their shoulder" they lose....
Posted by Boulder420 on September 23, 2007 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was at the game, 5 rows from the field on the west side. I could see CLEARLY that Cody is very small and looks miniature against the backdrop of every other player on the field. I have watched him in every game, outside of Miami (Ohio) have at least one pass batted down at the line of scrimmage - because he is short. I'd like to see him get outside of the pocket and have a better look at his receivers...because his looks are not doing him well now. He is throwing to his primary receiver on every play EVEN IF that receiver is double covered. He throws into double coverage more than he throws into single coverage. The good news, however, is he can fix those freshman mistakes and make better decisions. I think the college game is moving a bit fast for him and as he gets older it will slow down dramatically leading to better decisions...but we're still 2 years away from that happening.
Posted by extrapoint on September 23, 2007 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Boulder 420
we need you down on the sideline. You are wasting your time on this board if you can tell Cody is throwing to his primary on every play and the fact that you know it will take 2 more years for him to make better decisions.
Sarcasm aside you are right about getting him on more roll outs.
Please remember our passing game last year and that every team cant have a Brian Brohm or Brian White. (just cant resist that sarcasm)
Cody is doing well now and will get better every game.....thats over 20 more games before 2 years is up.
Posted by TallyBuff on September 23, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks bleedingblackandgold, none of us have a clue why 2ndbuff is trolling here. It will be interesting to see if s/he is still trolling after the OU game.
This will be the first time this year OU has been in a real game. And even 2ndbuff knows that on any given Saturday...
Still, we are rebuilding and if this game were played 100 times OU would win 98 of them. I'm looking for the team to continue to improve, give the Sooners a good scare, and if the Sooners don't bring their A game and make mistakes...
As for Cody, he is very limited--he is only looking at half the field (unless that changed on Sat--I had the call on radio). And 420 is right: he needs to STOP throwing into double coverage.
Speaking of stopping, can we design a few more plays to probe the perimiter? Those variants on the reverse are going to give me an ulcer.
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on September 23, 2007 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cody also needs to grow about 9 inches! There aren't many 5'9" QB's playing D-1. But when when your daddy is the coach ...
Posted by extrapoint on September 23, 2007 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
same ol stale poop
man you have some bad breath
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on September 23, 2007 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Extrapoint it's nepotism you're smelling.
Posted by BigBuff on September 23, 2007 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
True! Detmer was HUGE! Idiots....
Posted by Dizonrocks on September 24, 2007 at 1:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What WYD chooses to ignore is that CU had virtually no ground game against ASU and FSU...Cody had his best games when there was a running game and moving the ball wasn't limited to an air attack. When measured against other Frosh QB's statistically (not by his 5'11"height)he more than measures up.Of 8 starting Frosh QB's, only one has a higher ranking in PASSING. Cody is currently #31 nationally of 100 qualifiers.Averages more completions per game than the starters @ Cal,OU,ASU,Bama,UGA,Oregon and Florida to name a few.He could stand to improve on his PASSING EFFICIENCY (#90),but aside from the 16-43 effort @ ASU that included multiple drops including 2 TD's, he's completed 68% of his attempts in his other 3 starts.
OBVIOUSLY, I think the nepotism crap is BS. If Nick Nelson was a better option, do you think a coaching staff that went 2-10 a year ago wouldn't want to use their best? Pure stupidity.
No reasonable Buffs fan EXPECTS a win over OU on Saturday, but regardless of the result a strong performance by CU will bode well for the rest of the season.OU appears to be the clear favorite to win the South, not sure we can say the same about anyone in the North.
GO BUFFS!
Posted by extrapoint on September 24, 2007 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone here knows Cody is fine except the guy that still has a woody for Barnett.
Posted by extrapoint on September 24, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ditto on the North Dizonrocks
I logged on to the Lincoln Star Journal
after NU's razor thin escape from Ball State. Less than 24 hours after the game there were almost 900 posts under one article, most calling for the dismissal of everyone from Pederson down to Cosgrove.
The north isnt that much different the the south this year with the exception of OU. Even TX is doing some great NU/Ball State impersonations. At least the race to win the North will be much more exciting.
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on September 24, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, Dizon, Hawk is stupid. Why throw your career away just to get your kid some pub? But the facts are the facts, Hawk either chases away or benches any QB who competes with his son.
It's the worst example of nepotism I've ever seen.
Posted by mamasboy on September 24, 2007 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Will someone explain why the son/dad thing is good for the team. I don't blame a kid for getting breaks, but the dad is responsible for the TEAM. Which coach or player will ever jeopardize his job by doing ANYTHING (including recruiting) that would reflect poorly on the head coaches' son.
Posted by JasperJohns on September 24, 2007 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In his first 4 collegiate games, Cody's thrown for 937 yards, with 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. That's an average of almost 250 yards 1.5 passing touchdowns a game, and had Patrick Williams brought his hands with him to Tempe, he'd have at least 2 more touchdowns and at least 100 more yards. Those kind of numbers would be plenty decent for a sophomore or a junior, but they're great numbers for a freshmen. What's not to like about this kid?
And it's not like we're keeping some can't miss QB on the bench for him. If you went to the spring game you'd know full well that Hawkins played markedly better than Nelson.
WhosYourDaddy, you've obviously never seen any examples of nepotism, because the CU quarterback situation is nothing more than an example of fair competition under unusual circumstances.
Posted by BoulderBuff on September 24, 2007 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are you my caddy?
Exactly what facts are you talking about? Have you actually watched any of the scrimmages or practices? Sorry, stupid question, of course you haven’t. In short, Nick Nelson is a good QB but Cody is better. Now go be a good little husker and go organize your red and white face paint kit.
Posted by extrapoint on September 24, 2007 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the real issue here is not Cody Hawkins and nepotism but Whosyour2ndBuff's all out assault on Hawkins (both) period, on behalf of a departed Barnett.
Of course I could be wrong.
The longer this goes on the more he sound like Nelson's daddy.
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on September 24, 2007 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nepotism is defined as "favoritism shown to relatives, esp. in appointment to desirable positions."
Sure sounds like it fits the Hawkins situation.
Posted by extrapoint on September 24, 2007 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
then why are you posting as whosyourdaddy along with a few other names?
Posted by extrapoint on September 24, 2007 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If its not your take than you really are a classic schizo, except that there are way too many common threads in your posts. Continually reciting 4-15 and 3-12 is one of them.
Cody is 2-2 and should be 3-1 if the rest of the O had shown up.
You have so many faces I'm sure you can find one attractive enough to make love to.
Posted by extrapoint on September 24, 2007 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
so its 50/50 against or for Cody?
its only you, aka momma and daddy, one "real person" by your own admission against every other real poster on this board. The rest of us have lives, jobs etc. and cant keep up with someone, who another poster pegged, "lives in his mommy's basement"
I'm going back to work. I will log on a litle later. Afterwards we shall count your posts
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on September 24, 2007 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
extra - You may not like it, but there are many people who are fed up with this "Hawk worship." I'm not 2ndBuff, Dr. Tom or anyone else. Why don't you try sticking to facts!
Posted by dabuffs50 on September 24, 2007 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whoever you post as you are still a sad pathetic little fat man that does not know s__t about football.
Posted by nhilo32 on September 24, 2007 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prediction for the OK game.
If there is a weakness on the OK defense it is on the D-line, although weakness might be a bit of a strong term. The buffs O-line with new freshmen added into the rotation has the game of its young life and blows the OK D-line a yard or two off the ball and creating enough room to run. Hugh steps up and shows everyone why he was recruited here in the first place and breaks a 100+ yards. This takes enough pressure off our young QB that he avoids making the mistakes that young QB’s often make. Our receivers show up and catch the ball. That’s all I can expect from our receiving core at this point, I’m not even going to think about blocking or finishing routes, just catch the ball.
On defense there is not quite as much need for wishful thinking. Our defense holds their rushing offense. If we are very lucky the d-line aided by some creative blitzing forces their young, albeit capable QB into making some errors. Their O-line returns 4 starters so it will probably take quite a bit of creativity to catch them off guard. T-wheat gets a pick and Walters forces a fumble.
CU 17 OU 14
OK... OK... I admit I’ve been drinking, but this isn’t that far out there...
Posted by Dizonrocks on September 25, 2007 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The question in this game is simple...does CU have enough playmakers to compete with the Sooners? Although the `07 Sooners look better, the Fiesta Bowl loss wasn't a fluke IMHO. Why? BSU had playmakers, many of whom wound up in NFL camps (12 I believe)and are playing on Sundays, probably more than OU.I don't see any way possible the Buffs keep the Sooners from scoring at least 21-28 points, so the question becomes will the offense keep up? Can the defense force some turnovers and shorten the field for the offense? Bottom line, CU won't be able to afford more dropped passes, botched shotgun snaps missed FG's or lost fumbles in this one.Unlike `06, this bunch feels like they can play with and beat OU. If they create some breaks, you never know.
GO BUFFS!!
Posted by georgiabuff01 on September 25, 2007 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to all of the hawk haters, in regards to 4-15 start would you much rather him satrt like charlie wiess.... what do you think about charlie wiess start this year with his top-5 recruiting class.....
Posted by halluxvalgus on September 25, 2007 at 8:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I want to see one shred of evidence that Hawkins favors his son. That doesn't mean pointing out the fact that he's playing and short. That means proving there is a better option to run the team. Not a taller option, or a stronger arm option.
There's no question that Spawn of Hawk has his limitations. There's also no question that every QB does, and QB's for a team in our position will likely have more than most. Until there's evidence that Spawn of Hawk is detrimental to the team, the idea that Hawk would jeopardize his career just to play his son is absurd. Peyton Manning as our QB won't make Patrick Williams hold on to the ball. Heck, he even fumbled on a RUNNING PLAY.
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on September 26, 2007 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The skids are greased for Cody. No other QB will ever get a chance as long as his father is the coach.
Posted by buffknight on September 26, 2007 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whosyourdaddy / 2ndBuff / Footballguru is a known Husker fan that gives the rest of the "Husker nation" a bad name because his sole purpose on this message board is to appear that he is a pessimistic CU fan that pretends to give the illusion that he is all knowing about the University of Colorado and the football team. Anything that he posts should be discarded and chalked up to an angry Nebraska fan that will only deny that CU is not their rival, but yet turn around and spend the majority of his day pretending to be someone that he isn't and create multiple personalities / call names for himself and then post them on this board. All true CU fans are proud of our athletic department and will continue to support the University of Colorado now and forever. Go Buffs!!!
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on September 26, 2007 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"All CU fans are proud of our athletic department and will continue to support the University of Colorado now and forever."
See what I mean about mean about Hawk worship!
Aren't you supposed to say "Amen" after a prayer like that!
Posted by extrapoint on September 26, 2007 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our worship is nothing more than fan appreciation for what we see as things steadily improving.
Why wont you be honest with your hate?
At this point I dont think anyone really cares anymore about your incessant bleating. Just keep twisting in the wind dude.....(snicker)
Posted by Black_Rob on September 27, 2007 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whosyourdaddy-DrTom-and -all-your-other-usernames-because-it's-obviously-the-same-person-because-of-your-lame-writing-style......
One question for you... just one... Who do you think should be our starting QB??
Not Cody? I don't think so. Cody may not be above and beyond Nick, but he's clearly better. What? You haven't been to any practices and seen it first hand? Guess not. Keep on hating. You're an idiot, and have a... oh wait, I better not get removed by the web wizard for typing something remotely obscene.
You're a Tool. Get lost.
Posted by oz_in_cali on September 29, 2007 at 12:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its sad to see what these Husker fans will resort to when their team gets a scare from a team that lost to Miami (OH).
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