This will be the last home game of the year and the first of three winnable games to close the season, as the Buffs will finish the Pac-12 schedule with two shots, at UCLA and at Utah, to break the awful road streak that no one wants to carry over into 2012. But before those games CU has a chance to get its first win against a Pac-12 conference foe as well as Embree’s first win over a FBS/BCS/AQ team. It’s the best chance in a long time at a win, and let’s cheer on all these seniors for their last game in Boulder wearing a Colorado uniform and the last game most of us will watch live for 10 months or so! It is also senior day so let’s all fill Folsom for the last home game of the year-come on in a little earlier than usual as they will announce the seniors after warm-ups (12:10) so they can go in the locker room and run with the team wbehind Ralphie.
[For a little about each senior see the previous post at in the “Archives”]
§ This Arizona team was briefly re-energized after head coach Mike Stoops was fired and they beat up on UCLA 48-12, but has slowed down again since. Arizona is 2-7, 1-6 in conference; it’s only other win vs. lower division Northern Arizona earlier in the year, and now is coming off a loss to another Pac-12 South bottom dweller, Utah. The Wildcats actually outgained the Utes and forced more turnovers, but made too many mistakes and couldn’t convert in crucial situations (2 fourth down stops by Utah). The team, especially its secondary, has been hit hard by injuries, and has played a lot of freshmen.
Anything about this sound familiar?
Anything about this sound familiar?
§ Oh yeah, their special teams suck too, so that aspect of the game should be real interesting. They have given up a bunch of blocked kicks as well, including two vs. Utah, to go along with a botched fake FG.
§ Lots of coaching connections as Brownie was there last year, Tui for many years and Scherer and Kennedy each had stints a while ago. Plus, former Buffs great, and son of another Buff, Ryan (son of Marc) Walters, is the secondary coach at UA, after playing and then coaching under Brown.
§ Arizona fans’ attention is already turning away from the gridiron to basketball season (their “Desert Swarm” site-don’t you love some of these blog/site names-has had about a dozen posts on the men’s hoops opener vs. Valparaiso and only one on the Buff game), as well as the search for a new head football coach and the prospect of next year under a new regime.
§ Additionally, while the Buffs are coming into the game with an extra day’s rest and looking directly at a winnable game, Wildcat nation is also already looking ahead to playing spoiler next week against hated rival ASU. The Sun Devils won last year’s “Territorial Cup” (according to the Arizona media guide “the nation’s oldest rivalry trophy”) by a 30-29 score.
§ However, this is a Pac-12 team so, guess what? Yes, that’s right, another awesome, pro-caliber QB will be licking his chops watching film of the Buffs’ defense. Nick Foles also provides many challenges and has a stud receiver in Juron Criner, although not a ton more in supporting cast. Their specialty is the deep ball, so whoever gets to play DB will once again have their work cut out.
§ The Buffs will be as healthy as can be expected at most positions after ten straight weeks. Safety Ray Polk (I guess it was lingering effects of the concussion that kept him out last week) should play, while Kyle Washington (who went out against SC with a concussion of his own) will not; no word yet on Anthony Perkins. LB Brady Daigh is probable and will play with a cast on his with a wrist (and will have surgery in the offseason). WRs Logan Gray and Kyle Cefalo are both probable.
§ The other starting safety would likely be So. Terrell Smith, backed up by TFr. LB/S KT Tu’umalo and maybe Vince Ewing.
§ Recently allowed back into the team fold and healthy, Parker Orms should get the start at cornerback opposite Greg Henderson. With Travis Sandersfeld also healthy the defense will have its top 3 cornerbacks all playing again for the first time since week 1. The other unsuspended player, Paul Vigo is likely to be the dime and maybe backup safety?
§ Nonetheless, since the offensive explosion against UCLA, they have not faired that well. Greg Brown will still need to gameplan creatively based on which bodies will be available on his defense. Arizona is not as fast as our previous opponents, but this depleted secondary is still susceptible. Their O-line is not as strong as others we gone against so the front seven might be able to get some pressure on Foles, forcing him to throw quicker and giving less time for our DBs to cover. Utah was able to do that and get 2 picks.
§ The offense definitely has a chance to make some noise against this defense that has sustained quite a few injuries of its own, centered in the secondary, and have given up the most yards per game in the Pac-12 (yes, even more than we have). They will likely be playing at least one true freshman there-Tra’Mayne Bondurant, who is described as a corner/linebacker hybrid. I envision a high-scoring affair with lots of passing yards both ways. Speedy, Tyler and the receivers should all be able to find a little space against them and pick up some yardage and stats…
§ However, the key will be putting it in the endzone when they get deep in Arizona territory. The Buffs have had their share of longer scoring plays this year, but have been awful in the red zone, leaving way too many points on the board for a team that cannot afford to squander any opportunities it is given. They are last in the Pac-12, going 18-26; what’s worse is that five of those were FGs. And we haven’t even had that many redzone chances. To put it all into perspective, Stanford is 52-52!
*P-Rich will often be lined up against his cousin, Arizona corner Shaquille Richardson. Shaquille is also recovering from an injury (ankle) but both should be extra amped up to face each other.
*P-Rich will often be lined up against his cousin, Arizona corner Shaquille Richardson. Shaquille is also recovering from an injury (ankle) but both should be extra amped up to face each other.
§ Interesting note: It appears that DB/WR Makiri Pugh has also been suspended for some similar reasons. He definitely was not in the first bunch because he has played some special teams since they were all first suspended. It also said that he and the remaining two, CB Deji Olatoye and LB Liloa Nobriga would not be returning this season.
§ Darragh O’Neill could have a big day and take advantage of a weak punt rush/return team. “Desert Swarm” gave this stat: Arizona has allowed opponents a net punting average of 42.1 yards, which would rank No. 3 in the nation if it was a team’s net kicking.
§ CU wins the “played freshmen” tally 25-23 (including redshirts), but that is likely it for the Buffs. Thankfully, for the first time all year against USC, none of the 24 CU starters were making their first career start.
§ I like Embree’s idea to have the freshmen and some other underclassmen actually write handwritten letters to the seniors. It is a very nice touch and unique way to motivate both groups of players. I am not at all surprised at Embree’s assessment of the younger generation’s writing skills.
§ Embree spoke a little this week on how the play calling works: “Eric (Bieniemy) calls the plays and then (receivers coach) Bobby Kennedy sends in the personnel. I may say let’s run this play, I do that about four times a game. I’m involved in the offense, but I am also involved in the defense and special teams too. I’m all over the headsets, offense and defense. The only thing that I really do is make suggestions of what I would like to see or what play I would like to have called…I thought Eric did a great job in scripting the openers (last week vs. USC) as we moved the ball very well…Same with the defense. I know Brownie, there are times that he wants to do stuff and I’m telling him no. Whether it is a personnel issue or a matchup issue or whatever…I try and do most of my input before kickoff because I know once you get going and you get in a flow and you start doing things, there are gut instincts on some things too with them.”
§ Unfortunately, CU has maintained its spot in the “Bottom Ten” at #7. However, they are two spots below the Cornshuckers who took the honorary #5 spot this week for their choke job vs. freshman sub QB, Coloradan Kain Colter and Northwestern. Also, lost in the “also receiving votes” was a nice tribute to our favorite mascot: “Ralphie on the loose” is tucked in between the other other OSU (Oregon St.) and “South Florida in the second half” http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/page/bottom10111109/nebraska-cornhuskers-earn-no-5-spot-bottom-10-loss-northwestern-wildcats-college-football
§ Here’s a fab ESPN montage on Ralphie’s run to get you amped for gameday anytime during the week: http://www.cubuffs.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&db_oem_id=600&id=811380&DB_MENU_ID=&SPSID=580951&SPID=69322&DB_OEM_ID=600
§ David G’s “Key Matchups”: http://www.ralphiereport.com/2011/11/9/2549634/colorado-buffaloes-arizona-wildcats-key-match-ups#storyjump
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