Nothing like the feeling of Game Day! I can’t wait for the walk up to the stadium, our taco tailgate and the band marching up to get our blood pumping and finally…“Here comes……RALPHIE!!!” and then….Kickoff!!!!! If you are anywhere in Colorado you had better be at this game cheering your butt off!
· Pearl Street Stampede was a great way to get the juices flowing last night! There was a decent sized crowd, the band looked larger than ever, and the players looked generally (hopefully not too) loose. I didn’t notice a ton of 2001 faces but did see Barnett and a couple of familiar looking former players.
· Remember: This is NOT a conference game! It was the 2nd in a home and home series scheduled before the existence of the Pac-12, and for some unknown reason, the Pac-12 schedule makers left us with this game added on to 9 conference foes (only missing lowly Oregon St who lost to D2 Sacramento St), while Utah misses BOTH Stanford and Oregon this year?!
· From Ted Miller, ESPN Pac-12 blogger (much more official and more highly paid than I): Colorado 24, California 21: This week's upset special! The Bears look better on paper, and they whipped the Buffs 52-7 in Berkeley last year. But think about it: This is EXACTLY the type of game in which Cal throws up on itself.
· Miller is not the only one (surprisingly?) picking the Buffs to upset Cal. I hope they are right, because, if not, we are looking at 1-3 (assuming we win the Rocky Mountain Showdown) entering Pac-12 play, making a bowl game unlikely as they would need to go 6-3 in conference play-hard to visualize with the schedule.
· The Buffs were awful on first down, running most of the time and only averaging a little more than one yard. Likewise 3rd down was also terrible (couldn’t find exact stats) but both must improve. [It’s funny we never see 2nd down stats!?]
· It looks like LT David Bakhtiari will not play (he said he took himself out on the 8th play because his knee just didn’t feel right and couldn’t get himself back in the game), so Ryan Dannewitz will start at LT (listed as starter in Camera). Unfortunately he had taken many more snaps on the right side, and was not as familiar with the left-that should be alleviated some by getting all the 1st team reps this week.
· Our tackle depth is very thin as many things have happened over the past few years, even though this is an area we actually recruited fairly well: Ryan Miller moved to G, Sione Tau never panned out, Bryce Givens should have been starting but he was a screw-up. RFr. Alex Lewis might have gotten a shot against Hawaii but stayed home with the flu and, having lost 15 pounds, is not likely to help this week. Hopefully, recently converted DE TFr. Stephane Nembot picks up the position this year and will be a mainstay for 3 or 4 years.
· Munyer and Handler will continue to rotate at center, I guess until one separates.
· One Cal blogger’s (who actually lives in Denver) analysis of our O- line against Hawaii and their position coach: (Hansen) “was never able to get comfortable in the pocket because his O-line was on roller skates all game (also known as the STEVE MARSHALL EFFECT.)” & “There were some issues…against Hawaii that you can bet Steve Marshall will be addressing making worse this week.” & “Upside: Steve Marshall has likely ruined any possible upside this group has already; Downside: Steve Marshall, starting experience at Center and both Tackle spots.”
· Another Cal opinion on Marshall (they have built up a lot of hate towards him and I am surprised I haven’t run across a website solely dedicated to that passion): “He is absolutely one of, if not the worst, coach we've had during the Tedford era. And he's all yours. I think most fans are expecting to see our defense running through Marshall's O-line all day long.”
· I was mildly surprised that Tony Clemons is still listed as the starter in the Camera, but I expect to see Tyler McCulloch out there for the first play at WR.
· Doug Rippy has been the talk of the team and fans since he started finally started living up to his potential in spring ball. He was the best player on the defensive side for the Buffs against Hawaii and needs to continue that type of play for us to have success. Here’s a great story from Tom Kensler at the Post that helps explain his sudden, but long-awaited breakthrough: http://www.denverpost.com/cu/ci_18865319
· Both of Cal’s receivers had 100 yards last week (Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones), and both would likely be the fastest player on our team. Needless to say they will challenge our CBs and the pass rush will be crucial to force Maynard into throwing quickly, and not letting those two have time to get open.
· Cal RB Isi Sofele (no idea how to pronounce) fumbled twice and dropped an easy pass-the defense will go after the ball when he is carrying it.
· The Defensive players to watch for Cal are Sr. Captain LB Mychael Kendricks, LB DJ Holt and S Steve Catthouse all make plays everywhere on the field.
· Ralphie Report’s game day “Tool box” with links to all their material and lots more http://www.ralphiereport.com/2011/9/9/2414317/colorado-buffaloes-vs-california-bears-golden-cu-buffs-cal-bears-cubuffs-tedford-embree-keenan-allen#storyjump
· Once again, AllBuffs has an off the cuff, uncensored preview, which is mostly “a modern day fable called, The tale of the Hawk who thought he was a Phoenix”: http://www.allbuffs.com/content.php/1027-A-really-******-preview-of-the-Colorado-vs-Cal-game
· Here’s a nice piece on new scout team star Connor Wood: http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=205268541
No comments:
Post a Comment