Silly Buffs, Cupcakes Are For Contenders
16 comments so far
August 1, 2008 by
Quite frankly, I'm afraid of Colorado.
Next year.
Next year, I will be very wary of the Buffs.
This year's edition will probably be very good but next year's squad could be thunderous.
The problem most of the preseason pundits seem to have with the 2008 Buffs is their schedule. Their Big 12 draw isn't so bad. Colorado doesn't have to face Oklahoma or Texas Tech and they get two of their games of Northern aggression at home in Texas and Oklahoma State.
The non-conference schedule? That's a different story. Colorado somehow missed the memo detailing how, as a football program with a national title under your belt, you're not supposed to schedule yourself for anything less than 3-1 going into conference play and that one loss should be a pretty far stretch of the imagination. Can Colorado get to 3-1 or better against Colorado State (that's a rival so, even though both teams will be winless, you can throw out the records there), West Virginia (a Thursday night game where teams with flashy, slashing running backs seem predisposed to win), and a "neutral site" game in Jacksonville against Florida State. The one remaining non-conference game is against Eastern Washington, precisely the sort of team you're supposed to play three times in the non-conference schedule.
Now there is a small part of me that thinks that this seemingly prickly slate of games might not end up being as prickly as it looks right now. The two big name games on the schedule are just that, but how good will West Virginia be in their third game on the road under a new head coach? What about Florida State? They're supposed to be resurgent but they were supposed to be resurgent in 2007and 2006.
So the question is, have the Buffs scheduled themselves out of contention for serious hardware in 2008? Let's just say they didn't do themselves any favors and for that I tip my hat in the direction of the Rockies. A former coach from Osborne's 80's regime once told me, "you can schedule more wins than you can recruit." With that in mind, Darrell Scott better be real good.
But if the schedule will keep the '08 Buffs a couple wins below their true talent level, going through that meat grinder this year could mean big things next year as The Sporting News lists only eight seniors--a mere three on offense--as projected starters for CU. That's the lowest total in the Big 12 North and they're going to get a whole heap of good battle testing this year. (For comparison, Nebraska has nine seniors potentially starting on offense alone.)
As for next year's schedule? There is still a trip to the couch burning capital of the world, Morgantown, and the usual season opening Rocky Mountain Showdown but Florida State gets replaced with a home game against friendly northern neighbor Wyoming.
It's pretty difficult to project how one season will play out, much less try to jump ahead two but, I'm telling you now, don't be surprised next year when Colorado is favored to win the North.
» Enjoy this article?
Send it to your friend or get Husker news by email!
Related Stories: Colorado
Post a comment
Brian Aug 01 08
"precisely the sort of team you're supposed to play three times in the non-conference schedule"
That is a sad realization if you really think that's how college football teams should schedule their non-conference games. Teams like USC (at Virginia, Ohio State), Clemson (Alabama, South Carolina), Miami (at Florida, at Texas A&M) UCLA (Tennessee, at BYU) and Washington (BYU, Oklahoma, Notre Dame) understand the value one can accrue by challenging oneself.
Playing cupcakes might give you a bunch of wins but it doesn't test and prepare your team for bowl season you qualify thanks in part to the three gimmes on your schedule.
Brandon Aug 01 08
Ideally, I'm right there with you. I'd love it if Nebraska (or any other BCS school) never played anyone except other BCS schools.
But the reality of the situation is there's little incentive for big time teams to do that because the primary theoretical benefit of, say, playing a Virginia Tech or a Florida State is that, should you be in position where the voters determine your fate (i.e. one maybe two losses), perhaps the voters will remember that you scheduled up in that one particular case and reward you.
Or, you can give yourself the easiest path to going undefeated at which point the voters have to throw you out in favor of a team with a loss or two.
The battle tested theory works well in sports with a playoff--challenging yourself early is great in college hoops--but college football is a beauty contest and the ultimate goal is to get to the national title game.
Playing USC in the third week is great for the fans and I wish everyone did it but the bottom line is this: playing the Trojans isn't preparing you to win the Sun Bowl, but it might put you in the Sun Bowl.
buffy Aug 01 08
Can't wait till the Buffs hang another 65 on the Lil Red. Maybe in a few years you guys will be a little competitive again and make it a better rivalry.
Huskers Blow Aug 01 08
Ijust hope the Huskers are a bit more competitive this year so that the rivalry with the Buffs isn't so one sided.
Jared Aug 01 08
Hey Buffy, when you get as much national championships as Nebraska then you can talk. Even when the Huskers are doing bad they still get more cred than wimpy Colorado.
Dwayne Aug 02 08
Will someone explain to me how CU recruited that top notch prospect Scott? Heck yeah CU concerns me more than KU does and maybe even Missouri. The only problem with CU is that they will always play second fiddle to the Broncos and maybe even the Rockies. They seem to have a small contingent when they aren't doing so well. Not true when you talk about NU. Anyway Brandon, what you point out about scheduling may be a good arguement to support a 4 team playoff which I would love to see and I'm not sure if I've really thought about it in that sense. Nice analogy with the beauty contest.
LincolnSucksBUFFSRTOUGH Aug 03 08
There is nothing here (Lincoln) except the football team also your bad ass nationally known Stars and Saltdogs. You all love to schedule easy teams and thats a sorry way to win or lose. I would take the chance on playing tough teams any day so you play at different level when you have to play in the bowls. The crickets are getting thick in Nebraska. Go BUFFS FOREVER. Be there soon! :) Bo must go. lol
Nebraskaissodamnlame Aug 03 08
Dwayne- Sorry Colorado has civilization and is one of the biggest sports states in the nation with all the pro teams and few Division I colleges. Nebraska just has NU and that's all that is in the state worth mentioning. Nothing better to do in the whole state besides root for your one college team. Whatever.
Jared- Nobody outside of NU fan base like NU. Every other fan of other teams know NU is so damn cocky and lame. Is there a National Championship on the way soon? no. Every year NU fans say they are going to "return" to greatness and a NC is on the agenda, but no it's not happening anytime soon. The 90's ended 8 1/2 years ago. NU has been nothing in the 2000's, especially after that one game in Boulder in 2001. Please get out of the 90's and try to pull the rest of the state out of it. GO BUFFS
Dwayne Aug 03 08
The Nuggets aren't a pro team.
I can't say I can tell you I know what I'm missing. I've been in every state around Colorado, but I've never ventured there, only through DIA and I can't say that was a nice experience. And it's not like I've tried to avoid the entire state of Colorado at all. I guess it's whatever turns your fancy. I'm sure it's difficult for someone not born and raised in Nebraska to understand the tie that binds. So is your explanation that Colorado is one of the biggest sports states why Darrel Scott chose CU? And where did all the hate for Nebraska come into context?
extrapoint Aug 04 08
The problem with CU playing a tough non conference schedule is they are now the "cupcakes" in which tough teams practice on to get ready for the season.
ASU and FSU put in on them as I expect at least 10 teams this season will also do...
The puffs repeat their magical 2-10 season and Hawkins quotes Ghandi about life experience.
Nebraskaissodamnlame Aug 04 08
Yah ok Dwayne, The Nuggets aren't a pro team. They just play in the National Basketball Association. Pro basketball. You wouldn't know what the definition of a pro team is anyway....being in Nebraska.
DIA wasn't probably a good experience for you because your from Nebraska. You have never seen anything so updated and advanced in the 20th century. It's called an international airport. Is it busy, yes. Sometimes way too busy, yes, but that's what you get from an big airport. Take the Greyhound bus next time. I know they have that in NE.
Darrell Scott chose CU because No. 1: Darian Hagan built a great relationship with him. No. 2: He really liked the campus and atmosphere. No. 3: His uncle Josh Smith is a wide receiver there. I know this because I have talked to Mr. Scott these last few weeks. He loves where he is now and is very excited to play for CU.
Oh and just to note.... I was born in NE, unfortunately and yes, I spent most of my life there, but thankfully I relocated to Colorado where I enjoy the real "good life".
Nebraskaissodamnlame Aug 04 08
OH AND..... Hello extrapoint. I knew you were a NU fan... remember me? (neb_cu_buff).
Dwayne Aug 04 08
Your third paragraph was sufficient for me, but it is the rest of your writing that reveals your intelligence.
Nebraskaissodamnlame Aug 04 08
You probably just can't understand the concepts within the other few paragraphs. Hard for you to comprehend.
Dwayne Aug 04 08
So what's your take on QB1?
Scott Aug 05 08
I like how CU fans keep bringing up the past when it comes to games against NU. I seem to recall that if NU fans were to bring up the past, we would have a lot more to talk about than CU fans.
And speaking of fans, NU fans were labeled as cocky and lame? I'd rather be cocky and lame than be associated with CU fans...worst fans I've ever seen by far. No sportsmanship, class, or knowledge of the game. I will have to say one of the best experiences was at a game at CU when they're kicker choked on an extra point length field goal. The look on their faces was priceless. Yes, you rang up 65 on NU. You beat a mediocre team.
How about when the Horns loaded up 70 on you in a Championship effort?