The Cinch Jeans (yes, seriously) Rocky Mountain Showdown at Sports Authority (formerly Invesco) Field at Mile High next door to the location of the real Mile High Stadium which is just a parking lot now (they should have to say all of that every time) approaches with CSU riding a 2-0 start while Colorado angrily limps in 0-2. Both teams have suffered important injuries and are playing a lot of freshman in a game that never follows any script, as any rivalry, big or small, should be. Well, actually, to tell the truth, this rivalry should be a lop-sided, back-ups getting snaps blowout tune-up for CU, but never quite seems to be. We open as 10-point favorites and I would hope we can cover that quite easily. Usually, the Lambies have all summer to prepare and game plan for us, having instead had to play two even weaker teams than themselves, barely squeaking by lowly New Mexico and beating up on over-matched Northern Colorado. Besides having less time to prepare for the big game, they will also have fewer players as their defense and FB position have been hit with the injury bug worse than our offensive line. Whatever the immeasurable intangibles, there are some interesting matchups to watch in this game.
Once again we will start with the O-line, which will have a yet another new starting 5 for the 3rd straight game. RT Jack Harris is out for a long time, if not the season, with a broken fibula. Although both practiced Wed (no word as of “post” time-I will update Saturday AM early), LT David Bakhtiari is still day-to-day, and replacement Ryan Dannewitz also has a tweaked knee. Embree said specifically that TFr. Alex Lewis did fine when he came in for his one snap, but I only saw the one 3rd down where the DE blew by him and chased Tyler on the bootleg (smart call) to the opposite side; Dannewitz was back in next series and hopefully can play. Regardless, I think Sione Tau will get some snaps, either starting at RT or spelling Dannewitz if Bahktiari does play. I guess that G/C Kaiwi Crabb got in for a few snaps at Cal as well(didn’t see that but read it and I assume at G). Embree and O-line Coach Steve Marshall are looking at different options if need be at tackle, including possibly moving Adkins or Miller from G to T, or even burning the redshirt of Paulay Asiata or Brad Mustoe (they have played 10 true freshmen so farand Embree said that will likely not be it). Hopefully, whoever starts stays upright and pushes CSU’s depleted front seven backward!
Tyler played much better, was more poised, made a few runs when he had to, and threw for a boatload of yards. If he could have settled his throwing a little it could have been a lot more as he overthrew 5-6 balls, including a couple to Richardson. He should only continue to improve with the experience, coaching and extensive film work he does.
Speedy cannot carry the load with no breaks for 13 games-EB said so himself, so I would definitely expect to see at least one other running back, starting with Tony Jones, this week. (I guess Jones has actually gotten in for one uneventful snap). If the CSU starts to blitz, EB will call one of the screens they have run so well (see link at bottom of post). Especially since the Lambies are without their biggest ram, LB Mychal Sisson, who broke his fibula in a similar way to Harris, the RBs should be able to pick up yards, and Speedy should even get a little break. Embree has still hinted that TFr. DD Goodson might still play?
The Lambs will double P-Rich a lot so this is the week for other wide receivers to step up. Tyler McColloch seems to be getting more comfortable. I have no idea what to expect from Tony Clemons at this point, or if he will even play. I wonder if we will see TFr. Nelson Spruce get on the field at any point this season; we heard the coaches sing his praises in camp, but have not heard his name mentioned since. Even so, P-Rich will need to get the ball and EB will need to get creative to do so as defenses concentrate more and more on him.
Likewise, it would be nice to see the tight ends even more involved. Deehan had some nice catches including his fabulous seam touchdown, and Matt Bahr even grabbed a catch, but the position has yet to stand out as much as it could with the talent we have there. TEs could also take advantage of defenses giving P-Rich so much attention, especially the very athletic DeVaughn Thorton or even Kyle Slavin. I would love to see EB implement some of the double tight end formations New England ran Monday night against the Dolphins, where both Hernandez and Gronkowski had huge nights.
The Defense’s biggest task is eliminating the big plays and/or penalties that extend drives. They have given up way too many third-and-long conversions (overall they have given up over 50% of 3rd downs). As always, the push starts with the D-line stuffing the run lanes for a weak CSU rushing attack and then getting some consistent pressure on Pete Thomas. They have been stressing the front four in practice. The coaches should have a good feel for their rotation now having seen everyone, including TFr. Juda Parker, who got his first snaps against Cal and should help them rush the QB. Obi, Bonsu and Kasa seem to be plugging up the middle and neither opponent has been able to get much non-QB rushing yardage. No reason to think CSU should be able to all of a sudden start running the ball now. Chidera Uzo-Diribe has made some great plays, but then seems to disappear for stretches. Josh Hartigan got dinged up but should be able to play this weekend, and David Goldberg played solidly also. Those ends and “Jack LBs” need to make life difficult for Thomas, who is a much better QB than he was as a first-time starter last year.
Our two main LBs are definitely starting to look like the strength of the defense and should wreak havoc in the Lamb offense. Jon Major had a much better game against Cal, making tackles, being around the ball and grabbing a big pick. Doug Rippy was even better and it is awesome to finally have him on the field and reaching the potential he has shown flashes of in practice in the past. Webb can make the big hit or the big overplay, and Mahnke, who was never quite a safety either, may not quite be an LB either as he is either a step slow or out of position. Fortunately, those two don’t play much as the team uses so much nickel. TFr. Brady Daigh did get some snaps against Cal and will likely continue to get more.
Greg Henderson already seems to be our best cornerback and although he had an interference call, he blankets receivers and has shown himself to be a sure handed tackler, even able to take down an RB in the open field. Travis Sandersfeld and Parker Orms look to be in a rotation with him, although it is more often all three where Orms is in the nickel slot. Ray Polk needs to clean up his decision making at safety-we all love his big hitting capability, but he’s got to keep it in bounds and not give up a 15-yarder each game. Anthony Perkins can still make some nice plays, but he seems a bit slow at times, and maybe the knee is not quite 100%. Some are calling for S Terrel Smith (another big hitter) and TFr. S Will Harlos (speedster) to get their shots. Smith has seen a few snaps in dime passing packages and Harlos has only been in on special teams so far. Pete Thomas has been susceptible to interceptions so I would hope they have studied him well on film and can take advantage. However, everyone in this group needs to tackle better when receivers do make the catch. Sr. Jason Espinoza has switched (back) to DB from WR. I don’t know how much he can help here this year-he wasn’t likely to get many looks on O and was only going to be a fringe special teams player, so why not?
Special Teams has many positives, e mixed with some very disappointing performances. Wil Oliver looks like he is our kicker for the next four years, as long as he can keep his head in the game. Iverson first FG snap was a little high and wobbly, but Justin Gorman quickly got it down for Oliver, who also looks to handle kickoffs as well now. I expect them to at least stay in bounds and get to the five or deeper (something Castor did only once I think). Darragh O’Neil has been up and down so far so let’s give him another game or two. However, especially since he had one blocked vs. Cal, I would expect CSU to throw something at him. As I said I am willing to let P-Rich return punts because I just want the ball in his hands. If he can get a block or two…buh-bye! Now, that leaves us with kickoff returns, where CU stands dead last in the nation! This unit will have some more changes and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some new young faces back there (burn the redshirt of DD Goodson or Kyle Washington or Makiri Pugh might find his way to help the team), since seniors Lockridge (bobble at goal line, tackled at 10) and Clemons (run out from 6 yards deep to about 10) screwed up badly, and Jaffee has never done anything to be excited about. One plus was Boulder’s own Wil Pericak blocking a PAT, which allowed for the regulation tie. Maybe JD Brookhart can find a weakness in CSU to exploit somewhere in this phase.
All in all the Buffs should have the edge in talent, coaching, desire to win and even fans. Embree has made some great coaching calls, going for it on 4th down and such. He trusts his team and I like his attitude! This should be the game that they put it all together and get some momentum to move forward.
Go Buffs
For those of you who would like a little more…
David Gerhardt’s Key Matchups http://www.ralphiereport.com/2011/9/14/2426054/colorado-buffaloes-colorado-state-rams-key-match-ups#storyjump
Dave Plati’s everything you need to know about CU http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/gameday/csu11/cunotes.pdf?SPSID=3843&SPID=255&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=600
and then CSU… http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/gameday/csu11/csunotes.pdf?SPSID=3843&SPID=255&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=600
Buffnik from AllBuffs give his review of the Cal game as well as some fairly radical ideas for the coaches http://www.allbuffs.com/content.php/1031-A-not-so-******-review-of-a-******-result-(CU-vs-Cal)
Bob Bell’s breakdown of a CU screen play http://www.ralphiereport.com/2011/9/15/2426487/film-study-colorado-buffaloes-screen-pass-execution
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