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Buffs don't want to repeat history
Colorado vows not to underestimate Eagles
The most recent issue of ESPN The Magazine includes a feature on page 152 in which it selected four likely upsets in games between small school college football programs and the big boys this fall.
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Guess who made the list?
The Colorado football team was stunned in its season opener and the debut of coach Dan Hawkins in Boulder back in 2006 by a determined team from Montana State that came to Folsom Field, battled into the fourth quarter and prevailed 19-10. It was the start of a miserable 2-10 season.
Apparently, the turnaround that began last season culminating in a bowl appearance wasn't enough to convince the magazine the Buffs once again have a strong program headed in the right direction. It believes Eastern Washington and its pass-happy, spread offense will become the second Football Championship Subdivision team from the Big Sky Conference to beat Hawkins and the Buffs in three years today (1:30 p.m., no television).
This is the first meeting between these two programs and CU will pay Eastern Washington $450,000 for the game.
CU has a string of heavyweights on the slate in the weeks after today's game, but much of the appeal would be removed from those contests if the Buffs were to lose today. And losing is a very real possibility, considering the Buffs are young and the Eagles come to town ranked No. 10 among FCS schools. Montana State was ranked No. 22 when it won here.
All week the Buffs have vowed not to underestimate their opponent or look beyond the Eagles to West Virginia, Florida State and Texas.
"For us, we don't care. It doesn't matter to us the decal or the name on the back of the jersey," defensive tackle George Hypolite said. "It's about Colorado football, and we're going to put a good product on the field on Saturday."
There are plenty of differences between the current CU team and the 2006 club aside from the maturity in its approach. Two factors top the list.
This team has the unfortunate experience of that team from which to learn.
These Buffs have an experienced quarterback.Sophomore Cody Hawkins makes his 15th consecutive start for CU today. He had a solid showing in the season opener last week against Colorado State, throwing for more than 200 yards and completing 20 of 29 passes.
When the 2006 season opened, one former quarterback had just quit the team in a huff after failing to earn the starting job, and the remaining signal callers had a total of one collegiate start between them. It showed in the team's inability to move the ball that day.
This CU team also won't be dealing with many of the growing pains and mistakes of a team in its first game under a new coaching staff. In fact, that shoe is more on the other foot today with EWU playing only its second game under coach Beau Baldwin.
Baldwin's team played well in its opener last week at Texas Tech, losing 49-24. He hopes it can recapture the intensity it showed in West Texas.
"The challenge this week for us is we have to find a way to come out with the same attitude, same motor, same heart and desire we played with in Game 1 if we want to have a shot against Colorado," Baldwin said.
The Eagles' strength is its passing game led by quarterback Matt Nichols, a three-year starter who threw for 335 yards last week. It's the primary reason ESPN believes the Buffs, who finished 103rd in the nation against the pass last season, are ripe for an upset. Colorado's most inexperienced defensive backs such as Jalil Brown, Anthony Wright (if he is recovered from a sprained ankle) and Jonathan Hawkins will be tested. Sophomore Jimmy Smith is not expected to play.
The CU defensive line registered five sacks last week and would be a big help to those young cornerbacks if it can muster that pressure once again. A victory today would give the Buffs their first 2-0 start since 2005.
Dan Hawkins will be looking for improvement in many areas today compared with the opener. He is hoping to see fewer than the eight penalties committed against the Rams, fewer turnovers and further development in a young offensive line, that will feature three players making only their second starts.
Hawkins said he was encouraged last week to see his team respond in a calm, confident fashion to mistakes it had made such as a fumble by a freshman running back, a tipped pass for an interception or a kickoff return for a touchdown. During the past two seasons, those mistakes might have derailed the team.
But these Buffs seem to have learned from the past.
Posted by mgmtgrad on September 6, 2008 at 2:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CU needs to keep their heads in the game from the start and the rest will work it self out. CU needs to treat EW like they did CSU, key in on the key players and take nothing for granted.
Take care of business early and don't let up, even with a lead. Teams like EW will fight till the end. So, hit them hard and don;t let up.
And some long drives using the running game will help.
GO Buffs!
Marcus J
Posted by clesquibel on September 6, 2008 at 4:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, Ringo, Brian White didn't quit until after the second game of the 2006 season, when CU lost to CSU. He threw his little tantrum after BJack started and played most of the game against CSU, except on definitive passing downs when Cox would come in.
We are going to roll over EDub today. Lay the wood, fellas.
Posted by montanabuff on September 6, 2008 at 5:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Focus, focus, focus ....
If every CU player is ready to go on every play, there is no way the Buffs lose. Eastern Washington played Texas Tech relatively even after falling behind 21-0, so CU can't assume that the Eagles will be intimidated or give up.
As much as Montana State, I would be reminding the players of Iowa State last season (up 21-0 at half; lost 31-28). There can be no going through the motions today.
Every play. Every player.
Focus.
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
Posted by nolanjp on September 6, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
enough about the upset talk. hawk learned his lesson from montana state. it's about time for me to throw on my CU KOY DETMER jersey here in Sioux City, Iowa. I'm so pumped, even though I have to listen to it on the internet. Oh well, GO BUFFS!
Posted by extrapoint on September 6, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How much you wanna bet the freeloading author at ESPN couldnt tell you, without looking at his computer screen, who the Buffs beat and lost to last season....including the Tech game.
Everyone is yelling about the passing but I have a feeling our running game will take care of us just fine.
Posted by MDBuff on September 6, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ESPN doesn't know SH**. They just publish what they think is controversial to sell mags, and then they'll get one right on the list of upsets, and say, "See, we told you so."
Buffs: 38 Eagles: 16.
Posted by buffalo_flyer on September 6, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Buffs roll today and debut in the ap top 25 this week, tv wants a top 25 matchup
2006 seniors just finished a 100-6 two game ending of 2005 season. Rough
Wasn't there also a buff transfer playing for montana state that knew alot of our playbook?
Posted by JBuff on September 6, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A agree ESPN doesn't know jack. Last week Chris Fowler, Chris Fowler the CU grad, circled the CU/ CSU game as a possible upset. And a friend of mine heard another national program state CSU was the home team and the game in Fort Collins could be a trap for CU.
They don't know jack and we're gonna roll. EWU hasn't and won't play a physical team like us all year.
Posted by RalphieRepresentah4 on September 6, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is not the same team we had in 2006,these guys are light years ahead of that team!how many guys that played in the montana state game will be playing today?its about like saying we should fold the tents against texas because last time we played them it was 70-3.THIS IS NOT THE SAME TEAM!!!i didn't realize espn used kenneth as a reliable source.
Posted by extrapoint on September 6, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ESPN, SI and all the other nationwide buffet buffoons pander to the bigger audiences. They know everyone in WA, WV, FL and TX will eat it up and buy their "product."
Even though EW is in Spokane. I'm sure they are worried more about stroking people in Seattle than CO
I used to hate it when Keith Jackson did a football game. He was the biggest baldface suckup on the planet.
Posted by NorCalLovesDaBuffs on September 6, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Big Hawk just needs to remind the boys that they came here to win a national championship. I want to see a STRONG PASS RUSH WITHOUT BLITZING as there is no way their o-line can handle our big boys up front.
Posted by nolanjp on September 6, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
it's halftime, darrel scott is the only shine of light we have had and where is he? obviosly not getting carries!!!!!
Posted by petersoldinger on September 6, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
we stink.
Posted by ryanrehkop on September 6, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in GA and watch this on the computer. This is sad we suck. If you were at the game can you please comment when you get home , in like 10 min. I thought we would go deep more. I saw it was 3 and long a couple of times and they threw 3 yard passes???????????????????????????? You need 8 whatthe heck!!!! We wont ever win a NC game or a big 12 with CU and Hawkins!!!!!!!!
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