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High-octane OSU pays Folsom visit
Win in home finale would make Buffs bowl eligible
The numbers suggest a lopsided contest not in favor of the Colorado football team at Folsom Field tonight.
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The last time the Buffs faced an opponent with this kind of offensive talent, a historic day in the program unfolded. They were brutalized last month at Missouri in one of the worst defeats in CU history. The 58-0 result ended a 20-year run without a shutout.
The No. 11 Oklahoma State Cowboys arrive losers of two of their past three games, but those setbacks came against Texas and Texas Tech, teams that have combined to lose one game by one point this season.
The Cowboys average 43 points and nearly 500 yards total offense and feature the top running game in the Big 12 Conference. Tailback Kendall Hunter, who was named a Doak Walker Award semifinalist this week, has already rushed for more than 1,300 yards. Only one other Big 12 running back has even reached the 800-yard mark.
"I think every defensive game plan starts with stopping the run," coach Dan Hawkins said. "I think that's where you have to go. That always happens, no matter who you play. They sure are talented and they're very good in a lot of areas. They have plenty of weapons."
It's a homecoming for OSU quarterback Zac Robinson, who attended Chatfield High School and never seriously considered attending CU because of problems in the program under former coach Gary Barnett.
Robinson has a slew of weapons at his disposal, including wide receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Brandon Pettigrew, two of the best players at their positions in the nation.
It seems like an awful lot for the offensively challenged Buffs to measure up to, even after a stirring rally last week led by sophomore quarterback Cody Hawkins, who threw four second-half touchdown passes in a win over Iowa State.
Hawkins is expected to start today with true freshman Tyler Hansen getting playing time as well.
The Buffs are the lowest scoring team in the conference by far, registering just 19 points a game and even fewer in conference play. But there could be a little emotional mojo working in the Buffs favor.
Fifteen seniors will be honored before they play their final home game, which is expected to be available on television for about half the country to see on ABC (6:12 p.m.). Five of those seniors have been in the program since 2004 and have become its heart and soul. The group includes team captains Daniel Sanders, Maurice Cantrell, Patrick Williams, and Ryan Walters as well as Brad Jones.
It was Jones who spoke this week about making the final memory on their home field last a lifetime.
“Make it good one,” he said. “Make it memorable.”
An unlikely Colorado upset would make the 5-5 Buffs bowl eligible for the second time in Dan Hawkins’ three years at the helm. It has become the focus of a team that has endured a rocky road this fall.
A young team with uncertainty at quarterback, special teams issues and a lot of veterans departing from the defense could use all the additional practice time a bowl game brings.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy promised earlier this week that his team wouldn’t overlook the Buffs with the annual Bedlam game against in-state rival Oklahoma up next. The Cowboys, at 8-2, still have an outside shot at earning a Bowl Championship Series bowl berth if they win their final two games and Texas and Texas Tech falter. Gundy’s team could become the first 10-win team at OSU since the 1988 and 1987 teams each finished 10-2.
The Cowboys have never won 11 games in a season.
“I think the most important thing for our team now is to win number nine,” Gundy said.
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Posted by NJBuff on November 15, 2008 at 4:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fish-
I read an article in the Post that said prior to the 70-3 loss to Texas in the Big 12 Championship game, Barnett sat in the Robinson's living room and said he wasn't leaving until he answered every question.
This was the night before a monster game for us, and it's not uncommon for coaches to do this but they only do it for someone they would consider special.
Barnett, of course, was fired only a few days later....
Posted by zonabuff on November 15, 2008 at 6 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's not just a burned red shirt, it's the experience gained this year, put to better use next year. Which is why Hansen should continue to get most of the reps...
Posted by buffalo_flyer on November 15, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@ Washington State
9/06 Houston
9/13 Missouri State
9/27 Troy
another south team feasting on crumbs to inflate their record. Overrated and walking into an ambush. If Folsom were sold out, this would be a lock
Posted by mgmtgrad on November 15, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
fishyhead, below is a late post by me from yesterday's article that you may not have seen, along with a couple of responses.
Your complaint regarding burning Hansen's redshirt for one lowly win is really your fear that Hawkins will recruit and play better QBs in the next few years.
Posted by mgmtgrad on November 14, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Line up Cody, Hansen and DS in the back field and hike the ball directly to one or the other while mixings up rushing, screens and short 5-6 yards play action passes.
I'd like to see a DC adjust to two QBs and a RB in the backfield. One QB is a running threat and the other threw 4 TD passes in one half last week. Yes, I know those 4 TDs were against IU.
Two completely different types of QBs in the backfield with a RB, who do you key on?
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree mgmtgrad. Both Cody and Tyler could potentially pass it to each other, and Scotty McKnight had a decent pass to DS earlier in the season too.
Hansen or direct snap to DS could be a running play, but then as stated, Hansen can pass too.
Not handing off to DS does not mean he won't be out there to catch.
Also mixing in multi-back sets with both DS and Summler in at the same time with a FB to block could mean a pass to either Summler, DS, or the FB. It could mean a run by any of the three too. Or a pass to someone else. If only one of the RBs could pass well enough you could change things up in so many ways and still be relatively simple in your formations and executions.
Posted by sfbuff on November 14, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Marcus J - nice to see you weighing in again. Been a while. Love the misdirection approach, too bad Helfrich is calling the plays
Posted by montanabuff on November 15, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The "Haves" (Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Missouri) have yet to lose a game to the "Have Nots" (everyone else, including Nebraska). This week's games give CU, Kansas (v. Texas) and Iowa State (v. Missouri) a chance to break through.
Of the three, I like the Buffs' chances the best.
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
Posted by NCHusker on November 15, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by buffalo_flyer on November 15, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@ Washington State
9/06 Houston
9/13 Missouri State
9/27 Troy
another south team feasting on crumbs to inflate their record. Overrated and walking into an ambush. If Folsom were sold out, this would be a lock
###############################################
Are you joking? CU would have split those wins 2 - 2
OMG You guys are living in La La land. They beat MU. You....ummmm....do remember the Tigers, yes?
OSU 45 CU 10
Posted by NCHusker on November 15, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now Kansas has a real shot at Texas.
Posted by mgmtgrad on November 15, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks sfbuff for the kind words. I stopped posting for a while due to too many hours of OT (got to take when you can) and by the time I'd read the boards there would be 150 posts with 2-3 people posting 70% of them.
Posted by Ralphie2 on November 15, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO BUFFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by nycjph on November 15, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
fishhead; right on with the DC (reporting)? Mgmt...interesting idea re. backfield. Hopefully helfrich reads the blogs. Multiple threats and as you said who do you key on?...nice. Go Buffs!
Posted by mgmtgrad on November 15, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OK fish,
Can't disagree with your last statement, but I do not think Cody will get the start over the others unless he earns it. And last week come back... another one for Cody... shows he is the most capable at the moment.
It seems that Hansen can drive until the red zone, and then he makes freshman mistakes. By the way, I've always been a Hansen fan, but I knew Cody was the starter at the beginning of the year.
Back to Hansen getting reps, what's wrong with him and Cody playing in the back field together with DS?
Who would you key on then? And don't forget about the receivers.
Hansen could learn a lot being on the field the whole time and yet splitting the work load with Cody. It’s very unorthodox, but hell it would be exciting to watch.
Posted by mgmtgrad on November 15, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bufftime, your elaboration of a Hansen and Cody backfield tandem is on track with my thinking. Consider this, after the RBs and Hansen run the ball and Cody passes a few, you change it up again by showing pass by Cody and have him run, he could gain 7 or more yards.
The point is get the best healthy players on the field and be unorthodox against a team like OSU, that surprise of Hansen playing was the reason for the victory against KSU.
Posted by siess on November 15, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only reason NC husker makes these comments about Kansas is that NU beat them. It will make him/her feel good about the so called renaissance in Lincoln.
UT will wax them by at least two TD's and Reesling will be running for his life.
KU does not stand a chance dude.
Why are you here? Is there a good reason?
Bored in your trailer again?
Posted by PRBcitizen12 on November 15, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this game will be typical of any by CU- by talent, they should lose big; if they come out firing on all cylinders they will have a chance to pull the upset. Colorado has nothing this year, all their talent was either injured or forgot that you have to study when you sign with a school known for their difficult academics. O State should win big. Gundy is such a loose cannon, you have no idea what you'll get from him. He gets great players- all the guys that are too hood, i mean "dont fit in" at UT or OU. He seems to have learned to beat on the bad teams; but if you have any heart or desire, his group of criminals will hide. They all know how to shy from any negative attention. This game should be O State's, however CU is the only team truly headed in the correct direction. Rather rebuild the right way than to troll the jails and slums..... by the way, have you ever been to stillwater? ouch!!
Posted by buffalo_flyer on November 15, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
nchusker, I can see why you would look at that schedule and tremble. Its worlds tougher than any NU has ever faced.
CSU could go 4-0 against that slate
Posted by siess on November 15, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Texas 35-7 over Kansas. 3rd quarter
nchusker really knows his football.
Try posting on your husker site and make a fool of yourself over there.
Posted by Cornbred on November 15, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Big RED! :}
Posted by Cornbred on November 15, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are you Vk and the rest of yo Buff's?
Posted by Cornbred on November 15, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love the Wyoming Cowboys, but want to see the Oklahoma Cowboys slaughter some buffalo like the good old days!
Posted by Cornbred on November 15, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Big Red! Black Shirts for Ever!
Posted by Cornbred on November 15, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are you VK? I thought the Buff's couls hang?
Posted by Cornbred on November 15, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess I'm here by myself? I will see you on the 28th! GBR!