CU vs Baylor Preview
filed in Pre-game on Oct.02, 2003
Its the game we’ve all been waiting for… CU (2-2) travels to Waco, Texas on Saturday to take on the Baylor Bears (2-2). The game marks the first Big XII conference game for both teams.
Baylor, the largest Baptist university in the world, is coming off two straight wins against college football powerhouses SMU and Sam Houston St.. Running back Rashad Armstrong has been averaging 106 yards per game ranking him 3rd in the Big XII. Baylor’s QB, Aaron Karas, is also a threat to the Buff’s defense with a career total of 2953 yards passing.
The Buffaloes defense has been demolished in their last two losses against Washington St. (47-26) and Florida St. (47-7). In response, the coaching staff at Colorado has made some major changes on defense, most notable being the benching of starting corner back, Phil Jackson. Jackson’s position is going to be filled by Terrence Wheatley for the game on Saturday. The CB problem has been compounded by poor pressure on the quarterbacks; the Buffs have totaled three sacks in the four games they’ve played. If the Buffs don’t stop the long passes and pressure the the QB, it could be a very long, embarassing day for Colorado. Note: Jeremy Bloom has apparently practiced enough on defense to be listed as 3rd on the depth chart for one of the CB positions.
Colorado’s Game Plan
Offense:
- Establish the run. With Bobby Purify out because of a severe high-ankle sprain, Brian Calhoun will get most of the carries on Saturday. The running game is Colorado’s bread and butter and if they can’t get it going, the season is doomed.
- Protect the QB. Erik Greenberg sustained a concussion against FSU and will need extra time to deliver the ball effectively.
Defense:
- Stop the long pass. Baylor is going to pass the ball often to try and exploit the Buffs’ weak secondary. Limit them to short completions.
- Sack the QB. Don’t give the Bears enough time for their receivers to get open.
- Tackle. I don’t even want to know how many missed tackles the Buffs have had this season.
Special Teams:
- Fix the kicking game. The field goal and extra point team have been terrible. This MUST be fixed to have a solid game against Baylor.
Misc Notes
The game kicks off on Saturday at 10:30 MT and will be televised on FOX Sports Rocky Mountain. This is the 13th time the two teams will have played, with Colorado owning an 8-4 lead in the series. The Buffs have won the last 5 straight, including shutouts in the last two seasons.
October 2nd, 2003 on 10:56 pm
Well put Booty. Defensive woes aside, if we don’t start establishing the run, this will be a very long season any way you look at it.
October 3rd, 2003 on 12:39 pm
It would be great to see the running game show up. Although without Purify again, I don’t think Calhoun has the power to make the running game strong. Although I would be excited if we keep using Vickers as a power runner.
More importantly, the defense has to show up and shut down the Baylor offense. I know it is only Baylor, but the Buffs need some confidence heading into the meat of the Big XII schedule. We need to hold Baylor to less than 10 points and less than 200 total yards. A showing like that might help the team regain their composure.
October 3rd, 2003 on 4:17 pm
wouldn’t it be awesome if Phil Jackson,after losing his starting job, now starts playing incredible and is the next Terrance Newman? Hes been playing so awful lately because he smokes too much weed.
October 4th, 2003 on 8:13 am
the buffs just lost to baylor. shoot me now.
October 4th, 2003 on 2:18 pm
Baylor. How in God’s name do we lose to Baylor? That’s just ridiculous. We need to stop making the same stupid mistakes over and over. That’s all there is to it.
October 4th, 2003 on 2:41 pm
That was by far the most embarrassing loss I have seen in many years. Say what you want, but CU needs massive coaching changes, including getting rid of Barnett. He projects a negative image on the university and has since his arrival. He wins just enough to prevent getting fired, but the team never progresses any. Terrible day for CU football.
October 4th, 2003 on 2:55 pm
I disagree on that one, Barnett stepped up and picked the buffs up after Neuhiesel left us shattered. He’s been doing great up to this season and I think firing him is way too drastic. Maybe we should consider personal changes in the secondary though.
October 4th, 2003 on 3:43 pm
I totally agree with EmBuff about Barnett projecting a negative image. This is the same coach who blames the internet, blames the media, and blames the fans who want to watch practice (thus his hired security)! How do you explain 42 points to Baylor Mr. Barnett?
People need to come to terms with the fact that this team is in shambles because of the coaching. They ARE a talented team, they have top talent from across the land, which should have them (talent-wise) in the top 35. Sure they are young – BUT SO IS EVERY COLLEGE TEAM BY DEFINITION! I am so tired of all the excuses, all the cliches, and all of the finger pointing to external factors.
Look to yourself Mr. Barnett, your time is nigh as the Sword Of Damacles dangles more precariously with each passing (pun firmly intended) 40+ point debacle!
October 4th, 2003 on 7:39 pm
I am at a loss for words. It is highly probable that we will not win another game this season.
This is Barnett’s last season…
October 4th, 2003 on 9:12 pm
What a great day for Baylor! Hoepfully, we are on the right track! Everyone is on fire in Waco tonight! Woo Hoo!!!! Go Bears!
October 4th, 2003 on 10:34 pm
This is one of the worst days of my life. How is it even possible to lose to Baylor. They’ve got to be one of the worst D-1 schools in the country. I am completely devastated. I didn’t see a single play of the game because I was at work, but the phone rang all day with people rubbing it in. I think I posted a comment earlier joking about Baylor hanging 40 on us. What the hell is going on in Boulder?! Did we blow our load against C-State? We need a change NOW!! We came off a bye-week for God’s sake. I’m completely at a loss for words. How can we even think that we’ll win the North if we can’t be freakin’ Baylor!!! Someone cheer me up.
October 5th, 2003 on 12:38 pm
wow, we just lost to one of the worst 17 teams in the nation. we sure made them look like a top25 team, they are not good, they suck, they probably wont’ win again. We suck even worse. Texas Tech is going to fuck us up so bad, they pass the ball like no other, can’t wait for that game. Barnett doesn’t need to go, but his defensive coaches all need to be fired, today. the 4-2-5 defense is not what we should be in. it is designed for a fast defense, a smart defense, and a defense that can make big plays. we obviously have none of those characteristics. let’s just play hard nose football, 4-3 defense, 4-4, but we can’t just get beat playing the nickel all day long. our kicking game still sucks. we just need to forget this year, bring new coaches in and hope everything works out for next year. we are an awful football team right now, and i plan on booing us until further notice.
October 5th, 2003 on 3:43 pm
In response to Kevin and buffsseasonisover, I can tell you to find solace in each other’s words, because in our moments of rage, phrases such as “I plan on booing us until further notice” bring a smile to your face!
CU is so poor, so anemic, and so poorly coached that finding humor in their plight is our only option. A healthy dose of schadenfreude – particularly with Oklahoma and Texas Tech coming up soon – is called for. I believe that if TT wants to, they can throw the ball 75-80 times and accumulate 1000 passing yards and 8 or 9 touchdowns, and there is nothing CU would be able to do to stop them.
October 5th, 2003 on 4:33 pm
One other thing I meant to address – the kicking game, or lack thereof. The Buffs need to find a female soccer player or a barefooted foreign exchange student to kick for them, because the dullards they have kicking for them now are an embarrassment to the entire state of Colorado!
Through it all, Mr. Barnett will continue to have the effrontery to cast blame outside the program – and THAT is what angers me most!