What in the world has happened to the Colordao Buffaloes?
One of the elite programs of the 1990s which also won a Big 12 Championship and four Big 12 North titles the first half of this decade has had two losing seasons out of three during the Dan Hawkins regime. After drubbings at the hands of mid majors Colorado State and Toledo, the Buffs appear to be headed to another dismal campaign. Before heading into the teeth of their conference slate, the Buffs need to find a way to survive a trip tonight to Morgantown and a game with West Virginia.
The Buffs have experience on offense, but still have not developed any identity under Hawkins. This was the year they were supposed to find some balance and power running success with a stable of touted backs and a beffy offensive line. Through three games, Colorada ranks 111th in the nation in rushing yards. The passing attack has only been so-so, and an inability, and at times it seems a lack of interest, in running the football has led the program to taking a couple steps back at this stage in Dan Hawkins tenure.
On one hand, early deficits to Colorado State and Toledo forced the playcalling hand a bit. But, in both games, the Buffs seemed to panic and ignored the rushing attack in those games. Most power programs would have steadied the ship by running the football down the throats of those mid major programs, but Colorado instead turned the game over to its quarterback and passing attack, a move that in both games led to more offensive mistakes and more scoring chances for their opposition.
They do have some issues on the coaching staff. Remember, CU lost their offensive coordinator in the spring to Oregon and had to spend the summer transitioning a new offensive staff. Perhaps thats been too much a burden to overcome during the early portion of the season? Others think its time for the wide recievers to step up. Maybe the offensive line shuffling heading into tonight’s game will make everything click. Me? I wonder if there isnt a better opition at QB than the coach’s son. Just E-pinion.
The Buffs got back on track in Week 3 by flexing their muscles and shutting out Wyoming. Was the game a cure all for Colorado? While there are some myths hidden behind that success, at least a feature back in Rodney Stewart emerged and WR Scotty McKnight is looking more and more the part of a #1 wideout. We’ll see if either of those developments continue to evolve positively for CU as they take a big step up in class tonight against the Mountaineers in Morgantown.
West Virginia fans feel confident, with some even a little disinterested, about this matchup. With the Buffs ranking in the triple digits in several defensive categories, one corner of the ‘Neer Blogosphere feels WVA should be favored by even more points. Gotta love the couch burning confidence the locals have. I wonder if they have forgotten this man is their head coach. Nevertheless, the locals feel a lot of matchups favor West Virginia tonight. After being too conservative in their loss in Boulder last year, the Mountaineers promise to be aggresive tonight and showcase their new found aerial attack with QB Jarrett Brown. Read more »
