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Buffs want to hurry up even more on offense
Offense wants to take advantage of altitude vs. EWU
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The Colorado football team hopes to run foes to exhaustion -- at least when the altitude is on its side in home games.
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The Buffs get their first real chance to test opponents' conditioning with their no-huddle offense Saturday when Eastern Washington visits pristine Folsom Field, where a two-month-old, firm-and-fast, natural-grass, playing surface is finally ready.
The Buffs opened the season with a mediocre but winning performance offensively against Colorado State, a rival that also trains at altitude. The Eagles from Cheney, Wash., elevation 2,000 feet, might have a tougher time keeping up with an attack the Buffs hope to push into overdrive.
When coach Dan Hawkins first took over the program in 2006, he showed interest in the idea of using no-huddle because of the problems it could cause visitors not accustomed to the altitude here.
To many, the idea is long overdue at CU, which plays in a conference with no other high-altitude teams. The idea might not be as grand in, say, the Mountain West Confer-ence, where seven of the nine teams play home games at altitude.
The CU roster in 2006 didn't feature the personnel Hawkins needed to pull it off. Heck, it was all the Buffs could do that season to complete consecutive passes. So he put the idea on a shelf and waited.
Two recruiting classes have cured that problem, and CU coaches and players will finally be able to see how opponents handle the up-tempo style while being deprived of the oxygen their bodies are used to.
The CU offense now features an experienced quarterback, with a blossoming group of receivers, a young line and a backfield loaded with talent. It's time to see if the theories pan out with three of the next four games being played in Boulder against EWU, West Virginia and Texas.
"I think it becomes more mental than a physical thing just because people play it up a lot," Cody Hawkins said. "When kids come out here, they're very shocked at how out of shape they feel. A lot of that can be due to the altitude I believe.
"When we get people in our home stadium, we definitely want to get out and roll because we've trained here and this is our stadium where you can use it to your advantage. Whether or not it affects people, I think the tempo is hard to keep up with in general. If you can add altitude as another tough factor to hang with, I think it's definitely going to be good for you."
CU offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said he was happy with the first outing in the no-huddle, but CU never came close to the kind of tempo coaches want.
Helfrich said the fact that it was the first game, the team has a lot of young players on the field and sly moves from CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr combined to slow the pace considerably.
Helfrich said Kerr did some things he had never done before.
"A good sign of our program is our guys weren't satisfied," Helfrich said. "There were parts of that game when I think we could have blown it open and we didn't and they recognize that.
"Unfortunately our next game is another opponent with a new coaching staff and new deal. So we're not as dialed in as I think we will be in the future. There may be a bit more adjustment period, but we certainly want to ratchet up our tempo."
Helfrich said CU's switch to the no-huddle came at the right time with time once again becoming a precious commodity in the college game.
The entire CU coaching staff was surprised by how much time CSU used up in the fourth quarter last week because of new rule that keeps the game clock running when players go out of bounds until the final two minutes of each half.
The new 40-second play clock also keeps things moving along, at least when opponents have the ball. Helfrich said the goal is to have the Buffs at the line of scrimmage ready to snap the ball as soon as possible after officials mark the ball ready for play.
The Buffs won't always play fast, especially when they have a big lead at the end of a game. Coach Dan Hawkins said he wrestled with the idea of slowing down his offense late against the Rams in the midst of an 18-play drive that led to a field goal because it wasn't eating enough time off the clock.
"Part of me wanted to use more of the game clock, but we were also in such a good rhythm there that you wanted to kind of accentuate that part of the game plan as well," he said.
Posted by montanabuff on September 4, 2008 at 6:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As long as the Buffs remain efficient with the no-huddle, it can be a real plus. By the same token, when CU is facing quality opposition (see: the next six weeks), and are up against explosive offenses which can expose our weaknesses on defense, you want to control the clock as much as possible.
The 18-play drive was a perfect mix of ball control and clock control. Hope to have a few more of those in the upcoming weeks!
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Eastern Washington preview available at:
http://www.cuatthegame.com
Posted by nepabuff on September 4, 2008 at 6:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I bet the kids that are still on the team that were on the roster in 2006 are sick of hearing this nonsense.
Posted by archalon on September 4, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with montana - quality defenses will expose weaknesses. The last thing we need to do is hurry up so much that we aid them by creating mental mistakes. Players better really know what their doing to run this. Time of possession wont be in our favor much, regardless of the score.
Posted by Ralphie2 on September 4, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO BUFFS!!!
We can't take EWU lightly. They're a very good team.
Posted by LBCBuff on September 4, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What's the NCAA doing messing with basic football rules like not stopping the clock when a player goes out of bounds? That's just idiotic.
Posted by Saheeb on September 4, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, I agree. I wish they'd just leave a great game alone. Stop trying to speed up the game! Has the NCAA been getting a lot of complaints or something! This isn't baseball....
Posted by Saheeb on September 4, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This, in my opinion, isn't good news.
"Ponder, not Weatherford named as Florida State's starting quarterback"
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Just 72 hours before its season opener, Florida State has finally named a starting quarterback: Christian Ponder.
Christian Ponder has been named as Florida State's starting QB Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher made the decision Wednesday Ponder, a sophomore, has attemped 18 career passes...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008...
I think Weatherford is a sub par QB who has no feel for pressure, weak mobility and can be rattled into throwing bad balls. I was looking forward to the Buffs facing him. Hopefully this Ponder kid's inexperience will show when we play FSU.
Posted by BuffNut99 on September 4, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good points folks - E. Wash is a pretty good team, I'd say they'd finish above Baylor and/or Iowa St. in the Big 12.
Our hurry up offense will pay off overall, but we need to be able to manage the clock as well if we have the lead in the 4th quarter or if we're out of rythm.
Posted by ruffemupbuffaloes on September 4, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is it just me or did there seem to be more media timeouts at CU/CSU? Its as bad as the NFL.. Score TD, kick PAT, commercial, kickoff, commercial. With the clock continuing to run when a player goes out of bounds, the likelihood of dramatic comebacks in college ball is severely dampened. What next? A mercy running clock if the score differential is too large? Teams not running a hurry up / no huddle are going to be at a disadvantage this year.
Posted by focobuff on September 4, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so sick of everyone saying that EWU is a good team. Don't get me wrong, we shouldn't take them lightly, but there is no way that they would finish above last in the Big 12. Yes, they "only" lost by 25 to Tech last week, but it is not uncommon to see talented teams play down to other teams' level. Exhibit A: App. St. Michigan. Michigan wins that game 99 times out of 100 I don't care what anyone says. It was a fluke. Parity is one thing, but there is just no talent comparison when it comes to the Big 12 vs IAA college football. I am so sick of the parity discussion. As long as we take care of business when it comes to preparation, the Buffs should stomp EWU.
BMF
Posted by Saheeb on September 4, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think it's really a discussion of "parity." You're right, there is no way to claim IAA ball is comparable to the Big 12. No way at all. But, I think the point now is that there are IAA teams that get some great and fast players that D-I programs overlook or think are too small or whatever. And there are teams in IAA that can just score a lot, like EWU. When you throw in the fact that special teams plays and turnovers are huge variables in any game, regardless of the athletic mismatch, I think today there is more of a formula for upsets with IAA teams knocking of D-I level competition. The Big 12, and most other D-I divisions, cannot be compared to IAA. But, there is a lot more talent at IAA now; D-I schools can't offer 100 scholarships and hoard all the talent; and IAA teams can put together explosive offensive schemes that even D-I defenses can't completely shut down.
Posted by MDBuff on September 4, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kyle - You should clarify that the game clock does not keep running when a player runs out of bounds. After a player runs out of bounds, the game clock will now start when the ball is READY FOR PLAY. There's a distinction.
Posted by Black_Rob on September 4, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's real nice without Kenny around these days.
Posted by BuffTime on September 4, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
focobuff is right. These upsets happen in the first game of the season. The FCS teams play it like it is their bowl game. They plan and practice like this is the make it or break it game of their lives. Personally I love it. Makes these "cupcake" games more fun to watch. I'm just waiting for NU to get plastered by one of these teams. :-)
Playing it tough and putting all in for a single game is one thing. Playing a full season at the same level (without the entire off-season to game plan) is another.
I for one think that TT got the worst of EWU and the Buffs will have a little bit easier time with them. I highly doubt that they saved anything for the Buffs that they didn't try throwing at TT.
Posted by nolanjp on September 4, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what happened to marques simas? i must have missed it......
Posted by Black_Rob on September 4, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, how come the press conferences aren't on the site this year?
Posted by tlbuff on September 4, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Simas is academically ineligible.
Posted by Saheeb on September 5, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Last year didn't Kyle or Neill do an analysis of the Buffs strengths and weaknesses and their next opponent's, giving letter grades for each aspect of the game? I agree with Archalon (I believe) posts that there's a lack of analysis of opponents before a game by the DC this year. Didn't they used to do more of it?
Posted by extrapoint on September 5, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lotta the guys here are trying to pick up the slack but we dont have much to go on other than stats from the Tech game. We have an article on the QB today who was conference O player of the year so we know he is good. Even a good QB needs time so the O line cant be bad.
This game should boil down to our D being better than theirs.
Another factor maybe their running game. Do they even have one?
Sorry if that is kind of a broad brush.
Maybe someone here with a little more time on their hands than mine can dig up some stuff on EW's individual players(other than the qb) for us to peruse.
Are there some EW fans out there who want to brag or contribute without imitating some of these husker basket cases?
Posted by Saheeb on September 5, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's going to come down to our D being slightly better than Texas Tech's and that we'll be more physical. I think our O-line will start to dominate and wear them down. Sumler will pound them early and Stewart will run them in circles and then in the second half they'll get Scott who will both pound them and run them in circles. That's my take. We'll be able to mix pass and run with enough success to keep EW guessing. But yeah, would be nice to see the DC do some analysis with more inside info on EW for sure.
Posted by JAWS on September 6, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
nolanjp _ please just keep up WEEKLY with this publication or Scouts.com or Rivals - we've all known that Simas woulds be innelegible for quite some time... Is your next question about Maurice Greer?
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