§ This is another absolutely beautiful stadium as it sits on and overlooks Union Bay in Seattle, where instead of tailgating they “Sailgate”. I would love to do that some day. If you have never been it’s a sight to see, but they will begin $250 million renovations as soon as the Nov. 5 game vs. Oregon ends. They will play the Apple Cup vs. WSU at the Seahawks stadium, as well as all of next season, so we can catch that trip on the next rotation up there.
§ Sr. WR Devin Aguilar (Mullen) is the only Coloradan on the UW roster (no, of course Hawk didn’t recruit him). He starts opposite Jermaine Kearse for a potent WR combo. There is no one from Washington on CU’s roster but the coaching staff was able to “flip” Stephane Nembot and Paulay Asiata who had committed to UW but signed with CU last spring.
§ CU has sold 1500 tickets and there are probably even more fans going to the game. They had announced 2700 for Stanford but there was a very strong black-and-gold presence that is only sure to grow at road games as we improve and stake our roots in the conference.
§ The UW program is only three years removed from 0-12 and Steve Sarkisian has done an outstanding job or recruiting and coaching. Jon Embree said he looked closely at this program, as much as he did Stanford, for a model moving forward. He said that when Washington has done well, it has been with California kids, and that Colorado historically has been the same.
§ This is yet another team coming in with a bye to rest up and heal before they face us, including QB Price’s ankle. Their backup is Nick Montana (yes, that guy’s kid) so UW fans are hoping for a blowout so he can see some action.
§ UW, even with their 4-1 record, has not been involved in a lot of blowouts (only their win over fellow newcomer Utah). However, unlike the Buffs, they have found ways to win the tight games late, including against two shared opponents: Hawaii and Cal.
§ More interesting might be who they play the week following the Buffs in what will be a important game for the top of the North against Stanford. If Washington saw how easily the Cardinal dismantled CU, they might think their job will be easy and be looking ahead at that much bigger matchup. One can only hope.
§ Washington is one of the most prolific offenses in a prolific Pac-12, having scored 30 or more in all 5 games, QB Keith Price has 17 TD passes and RB Chris Polk has had 100 yards in 4 of them. It could be another long day for a CU defense that looked okay previously and had produced some sacks and QB pressure but was exposed by Stanford. Therefore UW opens as a 17.5 point favorite (remember, Stanford easily covered the probably tempting to some 29.5)
§ Washington’s defense has not been that great, giving up its share of points and yards, but not having to worry much with the offense. There is definitely some opportunity against them, but once again, they have to limit (I am not even going to try to say eliminate) mistakes. That may be difficult if they are indeed rotating in younger players. Again though, I am a little more comfortable with them making the mistakes and learning from them, rather than just seeing the same seniors going out and making the same miscues.
§ Against Stanford Sr. David Goldberg got the start, making that the fourth different starter at that DE in four games (Chidera Uzo-Diribe opened the first 3, followed by Tony Poremba then Juda Parker).
§ DB Josh Moten has completed whatever his unspecified conditions were for his infraction and was re-instated to the team, at least to start practicing Monday. I don’t know if he will be allowed to travel and play. Embree said that Moten was “Student Athlete of the Month as well. He also said the suspensions were not all due to the same reasons, and that the other four will still be out for an extended period.
§ Injury report: There were no new injuries reported after Stanford. It must be due to the fact that most Stanford fans were hoping for that and numerous people said that to us as we wandered through the tailgating. WR Paul Richardson, CB Travis Sandersfeld are still out and WR Kyle Cefalo is still day-to-day with was has been reported as a possible dislocated elbow (which actually can be not quite as bad as it sounds)-those were the only injured players to travel to Stanford. S Wil Harlos is still out, DB Arthur Jaffee, DE Tony Poremba, RB/CB Brian Lockridge are still questionable. C Shawn Daniels is slated to begin practicing and DB/LB Vince Ewing is no longer listed, but not sure how much either can actually help. OT Jack Harris could be back for the end of the season.
§ TFr. DB/“Ath” Jermane Clark, slated to redshirt, also made the trip to Stanford but did not play; he was likely only an emergency option at DB.
§ Dave Plati Stat of the Week: Opponents’ average starting field position has been their 36-yard line; of their 69 drives, 15 have started in CU territory; they have gained almost half their yards on the CU side of the 50 (1,032 of 2,300), and have scored 74 points (9 TD/4 FG) on those 15 possessions begun in plus territory. That is compared to the Buffs average starting position at their 28, with just 5 times starting in enemy territory, and we know the general results have not been nearly as productive. It just doesn’t bode well when you are starting off like that and this must change-the kickoff and return units have made some improvement, but they must still make some great leaps.
§ More depressing stats from Stuart: Colorado is in triple digits in 7 national statistical categories (120 total teams) – 109th in rushing offense; 108th in pass efficiency defense; 100th in scoring defense; 104th in third down conversion allowed; 116th in both kickoff returns and kickoff return defense; and 112th in red zone scoring percentage allowed.
§ CU’s Notes: http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/gameday/uw11/cunotes.pdf?SPSID=3843&SPID=255&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=600
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