Congrats to South Carolina and Sparty on a big WIN this week!  Next upset of the week…

Go BUFFS!

The BUFFS ended their non-conference play at 3 – 1 after beating Georgia 29-27!  Rodney Stewart, the 5-foot-6, 175-pound running back called “Speedy” averaged eight yards per carry, running for 149 yards and a touchdown in the win.

I woke up this morning and checked the score of the game again to ensure I did not dream that we stepped up in the game and were actually 3 – 1.  I realized that Marc had the clarity of vision to see how the season would go months earlier: “Let’s dream for just a second.  What if CU emerges 3-1 from non-conference play?  With Georgia very unsettled at QB and it being a night game at home, it is possible.  What if CU heads to Norman at 5-2?  What if CU heads to Lincoln at 8-3 playing to win the Big XII North?”

What if CU heads to Norman 5-2?  What if CU heads to Lincoln 8 – 3 poised to win the Big XII North?

We are not back, but it is nice to see some wins!  Hopefully we will continue to rack up the wins so that the student section doesn’t think that beating an unranked 1 – 2 opponent is a reason to rush the field!

Time to BEAT Missouri and storm onto the national scene where the BUFFS should be!

CU next Saturday…

Burnt Orange Nation is hosting the week Big XII roundtable this week. We’ve got new editor Dave here to provide some perspective.
1. We start with a review of your team’s non-conference performance.
Offensive MVP: Inconsistent play leaves this area open for interpretation, though one Buff stands out. Rodney Stewart, the true freshman is averaging 5.6 yards a carry, and has two 100+ yard games.
Defensive MVP: The entire secondary. With questions coming into the season, they have proven to be the stronger half, compared to the run defense who are looking gloom, by keeping teams like WVU and FSU contained. Although they still need some work.
Projected Finish: 5-3, 3rd in the North. Missouri is too strong to be stopped, but we’ll win some big games to keep us in the top half.
2. Oklahoma State is one of two Big 12 teams not represented by bloggers. Don your oversized Cowboy hat for a day and give us your take on Mike Gundy’s team. Are they same old same old (above average offense, putrid defense)? Or something else?
The Cowboys have shown improvement from the past few years, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They are running like madmen out of the backfield and have a steady QB. Though it’s the defense that has changed the most and brought them to where they are now. But the rest of their season relies on stopping the Big XII passers, particularly Chase, Colt, and Sam. They better keep playing well in the secondary to stop those boys.
3. Your team has reached the Big 12 title game, but in a cruel twist of fate, your coach is declared ineligible and you have been asked to select among the other 11 coaches in the conference your team’s game day maestro. Who do you select and why?
Stoops. Why? He’s the architect. The pieces of Colorado are forming up nicely. Stoops has a way of bringing all those pieces together right when they need to be. (Except for when he played the Buffs last year)
4. Same situation, but different replacement: Assume this time that it’s your quarterback who can’t participate in the Big 12 title game. Which other quarterback from the conference would you select to lead your team for that game?
Colt McCoy. He’s accurate, smart, and can scoot when he needs to. Giving us a much needed boost in the passing game, and opening up the rushing attack.
5. Imagine it is July 2008 and you receive an email from the conference’s director of public relations, who informs you that the Big 12 has officially partnered with Austin City Limits Music Festival 2008. To promote the partnership, the conference has asked you to choose one of the festival’s participating bands as metaphor for your football team and explain it. Go.
Beck. A strange mix of music that often sounds great and other times just sounds strange. The Buffs are similar with respect to play calling, sometimes we mix things up and it works, if not it turns out to be a messy affair. He also fits in with the laid back style Boulder is known to have.
6. Answer all of the following in no more than two sentences:
(A) Conference’s best quarterback?
Chase Daniel. He’s on fire and it doesn’t look like he plans to slow down anytime soon.
(B) Conference’s best offense?
Oklahoma. They are extremely powerful, and have a pretty good balance between run and pass to keep defenses guessing.
(C) Big 12 South winner?
Oklahoma. Their title hopes were ruined last year, and they don’t want to be stopped this time.
(D) Big 12 North winner?
Missouri. Will anyone in the north be able to hold back their offense?
(E) Big 12 champion?
Oklahoma. They will be able to match the offensive power of Missouri, and get in their face on defense.
(F) Big 12 team you would adopt as your favorite if forced to abandon your own?
Texas. A great team with wonderful tradition and an excellent overall atmosphere.
(G) One prediction that might surprise the rest of us?
The National Champions will not hail from the BIG XII.
Head on over to BON to see responses from around the conference

According to an article by ESPN.com Colorado is the 3rd most hated school in the BIG 12! They indicate “Opposing fans see their supporters as every Rocky Mountain stereotype — tree-loving, granola-munching, hybrid-driving Greeners. And it’s even worse when they are winning with some regularity.” I take great exception to this. I drive an SUV, shower daily, and granola is good for your cholesterol! In addition, BEVO it’s what’s for dinner. What do you think about the order of the rankings?

Big 12 Media day wraps up today with Hawk, Daniel Sanders, Ryan Walters, and the Rabid Goldfish representing the Buffs in Kansas City. You can read up on all of the interviews on mainstream news sites, but I did find a couple of items in the AD Notes that I hadn’t heard previously. First the good news:
“TE Riar Geer, who appealed a suspension by CU’s Office of Judicial Affairs for his involvement in an off-campus incident last winter, received “a suspension
in abeyance” on July 16. That is CU’s strictest probationary status, and meaning the suspension (usually a semester in length) can become active if any other
issues arise. He is thus eligible to participate this fall after missing all of spring practice after being suspended from all football-related activity, though he was
still allowed to attend class during the appeal process.”
And then the bad:
“Three players will be academically ineligible based on the first term of summer school: WR Markques Simas, OT Sione Tau and OLB Nate Vaiomounga.”
I think the coaching staff was hoping that Simas would make an impact this year and that Tau would compete for playing time, but apparently they’ll be working more on making it to class.
One other note as I glanced longingly over my newly arrived season tickets for the upcoming season. It looks like the AD has latched on to the “Blackout Game” officially this year as the ticket for the Thursday night game against West Virginia has it printed on the face. Congrats to the students who put so much effort into getting a game designated as I thought it looked great last year.

Darrel “Superman” Scott is a Horn. So sayeth Bloggers close to, well, something resembling a source for Texas:
Burnt Orange Nation
As an aside: “Pillow?” – “Woooo”? A Gunnery Sergeant from one of my favorite movies has a line in response to that is absolutely perfect. A quick excerpt from the quotable material:

“And you don’t look much like a steer to me so that kinda narrows it down”

You guys fill in the rest:)

Back to business. Swooning, Gnashing of teeth, etc:
All is lost, The Greatest Recruit Ever is Gone. Mack Brown is a recruiting God, let us all bow down…
Well, Darrel Scott may have told some people one thing, which is really terrible, because we all know he has NEVER done that before.
Does anyone else who is following this situation feel like they are watching the end of “I Love New York 2″?

The short story: The referee did not make a “wrong” call. What he did was exercise his right to “discretion” in the speed in which he placed the ball initially, and on when the clock started after the penalty. It COULD have started on the snap after the penalty, or he could have blown the whistle when he was fully out of the way, etc.
Also, the reason why it took him longer to spot the ball and blow the whistle than it took for the kicking team to set up is that he was being “consistent” with his timing of ball placement, like the rules state. Never mind that it is common place for refs to hurry up that timing towards the end of games, and the ref personally took away the effort of the team in the last few minutes. Wonderful guy. Way to let the game be decided on the field.
Basically, the guy took every turn he could to screw the Buffs while staying within the letter of the law. Whether or not you think the Buffs deserved to win, they DID deserve to take the game into OT. Wonderful refereeing by the ex Nebraska QB.
Links with good breakdowns of this:
Kyle Ringo’s Blog
Neil Woelk’s Rant (I mean Column)
A nice vent by Sunday Morning QB (Excellent Site, BTW)
Hooray for hair splitting! Get some rest Buffs, you got NU coming up and Wheatley has a broken foot!
Dammit.

After the Kansas game, I basically wrote the title game off for the Buffs this year. I still want to know what needs to happen for the Buffs to win. They are not YET mathematically eliminated from contention. A little research dug this up:
CU needs three things to happen in order to win the north. Far fetched? Yes. However, in 04 and 05 CU needed FIVE things to happen… Here they are:

1. Win Out
2. KU needs to lose 3 games (out of 4) as they hold the tiebreaker.
3. KSU needs to lose 1 game as they hold the tiebreaker.

Odds of this happening? Very very long. I fully expect #3 to happen, but KU’s schedule (Nebraska, @OSU, ISU, Mizzou) includes 3 of 4 at home and would require at least 2 significant upsets.
As for #1? Well, I picked against the Buffs this week. Consider it a good luck charm!
I give the odds of CU pulling this off at about 150 to 1. Not because I like the Buffs to lose, but because I think Kansas is too strong to lose 3 of 4. Your Odds?

Are we all ready? The Clone Chronicles is hosting the roundtable this week. Go give them some love. I sure didn’t in my rankings! Comments? Suggestions? Hate mail? Bring it on!

Were Saturday’s games a sign that the Big 12 North may be on its way back?

I would say that the short lived era of total dominance by the south is definitely over, but proclaiming that the North is “back” would be like saying a book was good after reading the first chapter.
A perfect storm hit the Big XII North over the last half decade. Bill Snyder left Kstate, Nebraska hired the wrong coach, Mizzou can’t recruit defense, and CU well… You all know what happened there.
The North must be spoken of with respect at least. To really know if the North is back, we need to see the next few chapters unfold. We will find out in the next month.
Specifically:

Mizzou @ Oklahoma, Oct 13
Nebraska at Texas*, Oct 27

There are a few other games to watch (OSU and Texas A&M visit Nebraska before the big date at Texas), but these two teams were supposed to be the leaders of the North. If they can put in respectable showings, or even win one of the two big games above, then, yes, the Big 12 North will have the depth to be called “back”.
The rest below the fold

How seriously do we take the hot starts at Mizzou and Kansas?

Mizzou has a real offense. However, they really haven’t played anyone besides Illinois in week 1 (and I take week 1 games with a real big grain of salt), but they did win. To declare any team “for real” before they start conference play is a big risk. (OU reference!). But the Illini did beat a stout Penn State team last week. Unfortunately for MIzzou, they don’t have the defense to run the Big XII table, and we should see 3 losses out of this team before the bowl season runs around.
Kansas? They have played nobody. I don’t care how many points they have been averaging. Until they start their Big 12 season, I won’t believe a thing. (Here is where I reference that OU game last week again). I would say… Not real. KState needs to avoid the post Texas hangover this week, but as time goes on I think Kansas will tank.

Pick one team from the opposite division that you truly hate, and say why; follow this up by picking another team from the opposite division that you don’t mind pulling for, and say why.

Texas. Arrogant fans, a more recent National Championship, and a penchant for running up the score (70 to 3?) because they are still smarting from a certain Big XII title game upset. That and their mascot is a shaved, brained, painted buffalo. Fortunately, everything is cyclical, and Texas is definitely on a down year, so I won’t have to see that annoying hand sign in a bowl worth mentioning this year.
I love rooting for Texas Tech. They are usually stoned by the CU defense, were kind enough to give us half our win total last year, and they are good for an upset or two in the Big XII each year. And they did this. How could a true CU fan not appreciate the Red Raiders (also the same name as my high school team!).

The NCAA has enacted a rule allowing you to bring back one senior that graduated last year to play for your team for the rest of the season. Would you do it? And if so, who?

A nice easy one! Mason Crosby! The guy is starting in the NFL! This is no knock against Mr. Clutch (sometimes) Mr. Eberhart, but despite his two game winners, he lacks consistency. Not every field goal that matters is taken in the last 3 seconds. I still remember that FSU game where his misses prevented us from having a chance to win! That loss was definitely not the poor guys fault, but consistency man! He is giving me a heart condition. Also, that was the ugliest winning field goal I may have ever seen. But it went in. Maybe our guy is only a good kicker when its for the win in the final seconds? CU has had worse kickers.

Rank the conference teams

After one week? That is just silly. Well just for fun, I am going to use the current standings in the conference as my baseline. All tied teams will be put into order by myself.
#1 Kansas State (1-0)
#2 Colorado (1-0) (I was tempted, but we WERE at home:)
#3 Texas A&M (1-0)
#4 Nebraska (1-0)
#5 Oklahoma State (1-0)
#6 Mizzou (0-0)
(This area is no longer recognized by the Catholic Church…. Limbo of the infants)
#7 Kansas (0-0)
#8 Oklahoma (0-1)
#9 Texas (0-1)
#10 Texas Tech (0-1)
#11 Baylor (0-1)
#12 Iowa State (0-1)
Enjoy that win Buffs… Now get back to work. I smell another blowout victory!

Colorado Drops #3 Oklahoma 27 – 24!!! Go Buffs!!!
F*#&em up, F*#&-em up, GO CU!!!!

Another Roundtable Discussion with the Crimson and Cream Machine
Pick one current player to be the “Face of the Franchise” for your team. You can only select one player so tell us why you selected the person that you did.
Little Hawk. A potential four-year starting quarterback that would have been a five-star recruit if he had been taller than 6 feet (or maybe better looking), this Elite 11 quarterback was apparently good enough to share snaps with Tim Tebow (oh, and he was rated #4 out of all the participators in that camp according to CU’s website. Love that Kool-Aid!). Oh, and he’s the coaches son, so no matter what he does, he’s going to get a lot of extra attention. No single player means more to the Buffs right now, and no single player is has the potential to really change the fate of the program like Little Hawk. Let’s all hope Little Hawk likes Ram meat with a big side of Corn!
Tell us what makes your team’s stadium great, traditions, facilities, etc…
Three simple things:
1. The Flatirons covered in snow around Thanksgiving. Who am I kidding, the flatirons anytime! Name a better looking stadium in a better setting in the nation.
2. Ralphie – hands down, the most bad ass live mascot in the United States of America.
3. The pure joy you get in the student section. Those creaky bleacher seats have made me many a happy day. Even if they tilt so far as to throw you and your cohort off balance and into the row below or above you, your fellow buffs in gold (hopefully the smiling and happy ladies;) will catch you and help you to your feet.
Hypothetical – Your team has to vacate their current stadium and play a game in another Big 12 stadium which one would you pick for them to play in and why?
Nebraska Memorial Stadium. Not only would Ralphie be well fed, but man would that be one pissed off and angry football team that came out of the tunnel. The benefit of seeing that stadium covered in black and gold would also be a plus.
Unthinkable – Take your team’s biggest rival’s head coach and make a case as to why he would be a good fit on your sideline.
Forget Lubick. His team is only the #1 rival for one week a year. The rest of the time, it’s the devil in red. As much as I hate Bill Callahan and think he’s all wrong for Nebraska, I think he has some positives for CU. He can recruit, and that is one thing I would love to see CU doing more of. He seems to be smart enough to leave the Defense alone to those who know what to do with it. Even if I hate his offense, he can’t be more offensively challenged than Barnett.

According to Ivan Maisel of ESPN the BUFFS will have more reasons to applaud this year. They are predicting that we will knock someone out of the Big 12 conference championship. Does that indicate that the Buffs will be in the conference championship?

The Crimson and Cream Machine is heading up a Big XII Round Table. Here’s what Buffs.tv has to say
Pick a team (other than the one you blog about) from the north and south divisions and explain why they may be the best team in the division.
Missouri is the team to beat in the North. Everything is finally coming together for them. They will have the leadership and ability of Chase Daniel. But they also have the desire after being shut out of the title game for too long. Missouri has Nebraska at home and that will make the difference.
In the south. Take you pick between Oklahoma and Texas. Both teams are strong, but not as stacked as in years past. Both Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford are still young. This one comes down to a non-conference game. If Oklahoma beats Miami, my bet is they keep rolling over Texas too.
If the Big 12 Conference had a Heisman trophy candidate who would it be and why?
People talk about Colt McCoy and Malcolm Kelly Jr, but I they are the best players on good teams top to bottom. Chase Daniel is my vote. He has the ability to carry the Tigers on his shoulders and make the rest of his team play at his level. He is much more special individually than McCoy or Kelly.
The one non-conference game, not involving your school, you would pay money to see would be?
Oklahoma Versus Miami
Which of the four Big 12 schools currently ranked in the AP Top 25 doesn’t belong there?
Nebraska – They tend to be overrated and this year is no different. Although the BigXII as a whole looks to be overrated in general quite often. I tell you one thing. The whole conference has not looked great in its bowl games recently.
Make a case for one of the 8 Big 12 schools not ranked as to why they should be.
This one is easy. Missouri. They are picked to win the BigXII North over Nebraska, but are ranked behind them. Total inconsistency. This is another example of Nebraska being overrated in the polls
Prediction Time:
Tell us the offensive and defensive players who are going to make the biggest impact on the conference this season.
I’ve got to get a few Saturdays of football in before I can really tell you the standout players across the league. For the Buffs though, LB Jordan Dizon and CB Terrence Wheatley are going to be the heart and soul of our defense. Look for something special out of these two.
Check back with the Crimson and Cream Machine for a roundup from the rest of the Big XII bloggers later this week.

According to ESPN.com, starting QB Rhett Bomar and J.D. Quinn (expected to start at Guard) have both been dismissed from the team for violating NCAA rules. According to sources, both players reported that they worked 40 hour work weeks when it was closer to 5 hours. The violation occured when the employer payed them for 40 hours anyway. It will be interesting to see how this affects the program as Oklahoma does not have an experienced Division I QB on the roster. It appears that CC transfer Joey Halzle will be the favorite to be the starter. This development may give the Buffs a shot at a win in Norman this year.

Dan Hawkins was named the new head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team on Friday. He is a welcome addition to the football program. We’ll post details on his contract and carreer in the coming weeks. In the mean time tell us what you think of Coach Hawkins. One thing that I like so far was that he demanded a larger salary pool for his assistant coaches as a requirement of his hiring.

If the Iowa State Cyclones beat Kansas on Saturday they will get to face Texas in the Big XII Championship game. Best of luck, as I would prefer to not see Colorado on national television for a while.
UPDATE: The nightmare continues in Texas next week.

Phil DiStefano has named David Clough, professor of chemical and biological engineering, as the school’s faculty athletic representative (FAR) to the Big 12 Conference. You may not think this is significant, but I know better. Clough is one of the best professors at CU, no too mention my favorite. He will be an excellent addition to the CU Athletic Dept and his stong leaderships skills will be an great asset at a time of great need.

Todays victory over Nebraska was sweet. The Buffs win handed the Cornhuskers their first loosing season in 4 decades and ended the NCAA record of 35 consecutive bowl appearances.
Now all that is needed is a Missouri victory to send the Buffs to their third Big 12 Game in 4 years! The team is starting to click and Oklahoma better watch-out.
How long do you think the West Coast Offense will infect the corn fields of the red state? I have a feeling that we might have seen the end of it…

The Buffs were busy cheering on the state of Kansas Saturday. Wins by K-State and Kansas over ISU and Missouri would have meant a win over Nebraska on Friday would send the Buffs to the Big 12 title game. Only the Jayhawks cooperated. They beat Missouri who now becomes Colorado’s only hope of a North title. The Buffs need a Missouri win next Saturday over ISU to have any hope. Although that game could become meaningless if the Buffs do not step up and beat Nebraska.

Well aparently the Buffs still have Big XII title hopes. With four games remaining, all six teams in the Big 12 North have some shot at getting there, whether they control their own destiny or need help. That’s weird I thought our season was already over.