Home › Buffzone Columnists
Woelk: Gap still large between CU, Big 12's best
Maybe Colorado has indeed closed the gulf between the middle of the pack and the top of the Big 12.
STORY TOOLS
More Buffzone Columnists
- Woelk: Easy way out apparently not Scott's way
- Woelk: MSU loss necessary hard lesson for Buffs
- Saturday showdown for Heisman
Share and Enjoy [?]
At least the scoreboard Saturday night at Folsom Field didn't flash 70-3 at game's end. There were actually some moments -- at least in the first half -- that Colorado managed to make Texas coach Mack Brown pay attention. Had CU's kicker actually made a couple of field goals, Brown might have even been forced to stop worrying about Oklahoma (next week's opponent) and concentrate completely on the Buffs.
But by game's end, if anyone had any questions about the difference between the Big 12 elite and the rest of the conference, the Longhorns provided the answer.
That's still a mighty big gap. At this rate, Dan Hawkins' Buffaloes should pull even with Texas in ... well, you do the math.
We just know it's not going to happen overnight.
Clearly, there's still plenty of work to be done. Coaching, recruiting, preparation -- you name it. The Longhorns provided a textbook example of how a college football power goes to work. Great players at every position, plenty of depth and the experience and skill toovercome mistakes. The Longhorns were by no means perfect, but the talent differential is so marked that their mistakes are blips on the radar.
For Colorado, mistakes are still deadly. No margin for error exists, and once again, there were too many of those mistakes to keep CU in the game on this night.
"There's no quick path to the top," Hawkins said after the game. "You find out what your team is made of when you go through those valleys, and I feel good about what this team is made of."
Long-term, the feeling from this corner is that the prognosis is still solid for Colorado's football program. The Buffs have improved their talent level significantly over the last couple of years. There were, as Hawkins noted, a handful of elite players wearing black and gold Saturday night, a step forward over previous years.
But by no means were there enough elite players to match the Longhorns, who boast quality at every position -- and two deep on the depth chart.
The knee-jerk reaction among Buff faithful this morning will be that a quarterback change is in order. Backup Matt Ballenger came on and moved the Buffs to a fourth-quarter touchdown, throwing a beautiful touchdown strike to Patrick Williams to finish the drive. Even though it came against Texas' second-team defense (Ballenger actually had time to stand in the pocket and throw), it will nevertheless provide enough fuel to ignite a quarterback controversy by the time you read this.
But a quarterback change won't miraculously heal CU's injured offensive linemen. It won't cure the special teams flubs, and it won't immediately add a couple years of experience across the board.
Still, we're hoping Dan Hawkins' judgment of his quarterbacks isn't clouded by the names on the jersey. If the opportunity arises, we'd like to see more of Ballenger in the future, particularly if CU's offense continues to struggle with Cody Hawkins at the helm. A change of pace early in a game, a fresh look, a twist for opposing defensive coordinators to consider, couldn't hurt.
We think Hawkins the Elder will do the right thing. If mixing it up gives the Buffs a better chance to win, we're betting he'll do it.
The bigger question for the Buffs, however, is how they react after two straight losses. Three wins to start the season had them flying high; how they come back after their second straight loss will be key.
With seven conference games remaining, the chance for a good season still exists. Colorado -- now 3-2 -- will see just one more team with Texas-caliber talent the rest of this season, that coming when the Buffs head to Missouri.
Otherwise, there's not a team on the schedule Colorado can't play straight up with -- if the Buffs eliminate their mistakes and take advantage of opportunities when they arise.
"We have to keep taking steps," Hawkins said. "I believe in our guys. We have to keep working. That's all."
It's a mantra Hawkins has been preaching since the day he arrived. Patience, build a foundation through recruiting and build experience. The Buffs are moving in that direction.
But nights like Saturday prove that the growing pains will still be evident. The gulf between Colorado and the top of the Big 12 is a sizable one.
The good news is the Buffs have seven games remaining to prove they are closing that gap on a consistent basis.
Posted by oldbuffer on October 5, 2008 at 6:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good piece. The game turned out about as I expected. Some men gave a lesson to some boys. I hope it causes them to come back with more determination and doesn't demoralize them. It's tough when you're young and playing with the lower portion of your depth chart on the O-line.
I listened to the KU/ISU game. ISU should have won it. KU isn't a great football team. Their winning record is a result of their very weak pre-conference schedule. I like our chances to beat them.
Like everyone else, I enjoyed watching MU dismantle NU. MU could have scored 70 if they'd wanted. The bad news is that we have to play those guys, too.
Ballenger looked good against the second or third team defense. Before jumping on the new QB bandwagon, I want to see him against a first team defense. I do believe Hawkins will play the QB that gives us the best chance to win, regardless of the name on the back of the jersey.
I still like our chances for a 6 or 7 win season and a bowl game.
Was really glad to see Walters back in the game. I figured we'd seen the straw that broke the back when he went down clutching his knee.
Go Buffs! Beat KU!
Posted by rnorthro14 on October 5, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We will need 7 wins to go to a bowl game. The Big 12 is too deep to squeak in with just 6 wins.
And definitely get Ballenger some more PT. Hawkins needs to see what he can do in pressure situations. He doesn't have the physical limitations that Cody has, lets see how he performs during a series in the second quarter on the road with a noisy hostile crowd.
Posted by reallifeshocker on October 5, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
over the years, i have witnessed a multitude of texas games, both in person and on the tube. one can never really understand, however, how really big and atheletic these guys are until you see them live. not just the guys in the game, but the depth standing around on the bench. frightening. big, fast, strong interior lineman control and win games, more often than not. you never have enough.
Posted by buffalo_flyer on October 5, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Texas' defense was ridiculously good. I wonder if the buff faithful actually watch the games
Posted by thefishheadsoup on October 5, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
oldbuff & neill - is a six or seven win season really enough? the talent drop off happened because of the non-scandal and had as much to do with the media railroading barnett as it did with barnett sticking his arrogantly large foot in his mouth.
neill - you first say that knee jerk fans will be calling for a qb change, then you say you know daddy will do the right thing and switch it up a bit if it benefits the team? talk about a flip-flop. i think prudent fans have been fairly questioning cody's size and ability for more than year. no one questions his character or leadership or intangibles, but he doesn't have the physical skills to compete. this ain't boise city league pee wee ball.
it would be nice for you to call to question the schizo offense? what are helfrich and daddy trying to do? one of the expectations set by hawk and the media was that we were getting some kind of great offensive mind, a shift from the straight forward blah running game of barnett. but that straight forward game brought us good and great years with barnett. this O looks retarded - no sense of direction or purpose - no real identity. that shouldn't have to take four years to establish.
even though rich rodriguez is losing in year one at UM, you see him laying the ground work for his offense, his plan. i don't see that yet with hawk and it is a disappointment.
how long should we be patient? four, five, six years? this is already year three! i liked you better neill when you weren't drinking the "gang on the hill's" kool aid. there is still a gang on the hill; just a different gang. and if you look at this team and b-ball, it's basically the same results - maybe worse. thank god for cross country running and mark wetmore. at least we have one great team in buff land. maybe bohn, bzdelik, hawk and his overpaid coordinators should donate some of their salary to wetmore and brian cabral!
i think you should also address the nasty pay disparity between cabral and hawk's other coaches.
Posted by buffalo_flyer on October 5, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i think we've heard enough of the same ol cut and paste, kenny
you can't have a discussion when we know you have an agenda
Posted by Buffaloed on October 5, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't totally agree with Neil. There is a gap to be sure but the reality is our weakness played right into the hands of the horns strength. The O line is key to any running and passing game and we are pretty raw there, however, without more injuries and time to gel they can still be a respectable group. The coaches could have helped by calling plays to take advantage of the speed and size of the D line but they didn't move on it early on.
I've been saying to myself every game that we need to find more ways to get the ball in Scott's hands and it looks like it's in process. Ballenger got some playing time and did very well; another positive. The D did not play poorly overall. The first TX TD could have taken advantage of any D. It was a broken play that they made a Home Run out of. Sucked the wind right out of us. Cody had some BIG misses that would have changed the game and how many games are you going to miss three straight FG's? Those alone could have changed the face of the game. Then throw in the two fumbles at critical places and we're dead.
I think the D played well considering our offense kept screwing them over. Hats off to all of them for sticking with it under very adverse conditions.
There is alot of football yet and it's time to suck it up and put up another "W".
Posted by donintucson on October 5, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you are not consistent, know what you want to be on offense, tackle, block, made good decisions in the kicking game, you are NOT going to close the gap with anybody! Hawkins teams ARE NOT consistent, period; he doesn't understand field position football and that this really is big boy football. He preaches about it, but he cannot coach it. For instance, why are you play faking when everyone knows you cannot run and are going to pass???
Go Buffs
Posted by rktman956 on October 5, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
neil,
I am sorry, but a qb change is exactly what we need...maybe sitting out a game will give confidence in the backups that the coach is not playing favorites and that they do stand a chance of playing. it would give cody a chance to relax a little and get past his mistakes. he clearly seems tight and not the same young gun of last year.
The defense was good enough to keep us in the game, but with walters sidlined, we will have to find a quick solution, or it will be 4 more losses.
Posted by mgmtgrad on October 5, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With an experience O-line those drives that ended up in missed field goal kicks should have continued forward and changed things for the better.
If I remember one drive went from CU's 20 to Texas’ 20 before stalling and having to settle for a missed field goal attempt.
But after three missed field goals Hawkins was forced to go for it on 4th and 10, which resulted in Cody's only touch down drive.
Ballenger will be a starter before long, but it will start with more reps at practice. Throwing your future QB in behind this O-line could be dangerous or it could be what this team needs.
We will see in the next few weeks how the QB situation will play out. Hawkins is not going to put his professional record on the line for his son, but he is not going to be as reactionary as most would want him to be, he looking at the picture for the long term.
Ballenger will be in the mix more and more and Cody will be a great backup/QB coach when that happens. Both he and his dad have admitted in past statements that Cody’s strength will make him a good coach after CU, not an NFL QB.
And next year Hanson will be competing for the job too and he is better then most know.
Marcus J
PS, Cody came to a team with no starting QB, Nelson didn't join untill last year and was injured at the beginning of this season.
Posted by nocobuffan on October 5, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can anyone explain why D. Scott has yet to get a chance to get into any meaningful rhythm- what is the story there?
Posted by 20buff on October 5, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
nocobuffan: Where have you been? Scott suffered an ankle sprain during the first quarter of the Texas game. He also was nursing a knee injury ever since Eastern Washington. He was clearly seen limping off the field Saturday night.
Posted by Buffs44 on October 5, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thefishheadsoup, 70-3 "good times"
Posted by rodrigo on October 6, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
fishhead,
In answer to your question: year four. Seriously. Just my take, but youth and inexperience will give way to a seasoned group with talent.
Say what you want about Hawk but at least he's not making a pitiful fool out of himself and the program by spouting a bunch of nonsense about shutting out Missouri and drawing unsportsmanlike penalties. Criticism is fair and certainly warranted, but on the plus side Hawkins at least acts like an adult.
Posted by roamingbuff on October 6, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People have been concerned about Cody since he arrived on campus. This is not knee jerk. Last year we had nobody at QB and so Cody was the best we had. He is a fighter, a compeitior, a student of the game, and has some talent. Great kid. But he is not the future of the program. He has struggled all season. 5 batted balls in one game! Three missed receivers in another. He's too short, in fact he sometime has trouble locating receivers quickly enough because of it.
Anybody remember the first play of the game Sat? Cody to Smith. Right on the money. Smith has a step on the defender. But - a floater. No zip on the ball - the defender recovers and bats it away.
Go with Ballenger. You talk about the problems with the O-line - but remember, they can't block straight up. We have to position them and block in a way that creates a passing lane for Cody cuz he's too short.
Make it easier on everybody and put the taller Ballenger with the faster, deeper ball in.
Posted by vkberlinn on October 7, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey its all about the wins.
Whatever it takes within the rules (no spitting).
Cody, you know the score. Make it happen, either as the backup or the starter. It is a team game and you know this so well.
The Buff offense is offensive period. It needs a change, a spark, a new direction. As someone stated, "The offensive offense has no identity."
This is the over paid H's problem. H get it together as you are not giving these kids a chance to win, let alone play. It was there in the first game of the season and it is still there. You scheme is scheme-less.
Go Buffs, rough em up.
(Requires free registration.)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.