Pre-preview or post-postgame notes

The Buffs are headed to Tempe and the moral victory vs. Oregon is fading into memory.  Here are a few late week notes before I post a preview Saturday morning.

§  Review of the tape: I forgot to tape the Oregon game (or maybe it was a subconscious decision), but I would like to watch the beginning again.

§  Some stats of note: CU matched highest point total so far against Oregon, and did it all in the first half, they were first team to score four times, to hold two separate leads (3-0 and 10-8), and even almost matched Oregon for yards in the first period plus.

§  Injuries: DT Josh Tupou sprained an ankle but should be good to go for ASU.  Only Ford, Irwin and Jones left on report and all could rejoin practice soon. 

§  Practice notes: As I had speculated when Jordan Webb was not on injury report, he is indeed healthy and is practicing with team (has been close for a few weeks).  And, MacIntyre came out and admitted that Webb would likely be first off bench, especially if it appears short term (like an equipment problem or small injury to Wood).  This serves two purposes: obviously, it keeps Liufau’s redshirt intact as we move later in the season, and if Webb is number two, then no one will be clamoring for the backup if Wood continues to struggle in conference play.

§  RB Terrence Crowder (domestic violence) and DE Samson Kafovalu (numerous indiscretions) are both practicing with the team but have not fully earned back the good graces of the coaches and are not expected to play any time soon.  Crowder was never really in the mix at RB, but “Kool Aid” Kafovalu has played some and was expected to play a regular role in the defensive line rotation.

§  According to Plati’s game notes, true freshmen Chidobe Awuzie (LCB over Crawley) and Tedric Thompson (FS over Bell) got the starts. I am still not sure what has happened to Marques Mosley. 

§  With Gillam and DE Jimmie Gilbert, they often have four true frosh in the defensive alignment.

§  Honors, mentions and recognitions: P-Rich still is one of top receivers in the country, second behind Brandin Cooks with 156.3 yards receiving per game.

§  LB Addison Gillam was named National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Colorado Chapter player of the week.  The true frosh had 18 tackles (14 solo, 2 for loss, one sack) and was also nominated for Pac12 defensive player of the week.  He is getting a lot of hype in the conference and nationally.  He is 4^th in the country, tops in conference, with 12.2 tackles per game. Gillam is a shoo-in for conference all-frosh team, will get votes for all-conference, could be conference freshman of the year and is going to get some attention for freshman all-America as well.  Chidera Uzo-Diribe says he is amazing for a freshman and always knows the plays and reads.  If MacIntyre’s staff can find a few more unknown gems like this kid, Colorado football will be just fine.

§  2014 Recruiting: CU picked up verbal commitment number 14 for the 2013 cycle, with RB Jomon Dotson from American Canyon in Cali.  He runs a 4.5 and was also recruited by ASU, Iowa St, Northwestern, Nevada and Yale (wants to major in electrical engineering and will not be academic risk).  Even though CU will only lose one RB to graduation (Josh Ford), Dotson sounds like he has the potential to come in and compete right away.

§  Other Buffs Notes: Doug Rippy still has deep faith in his Buffs, even though his cousin Deaysean isn’t even playing yet, and tweeted: “I still believe the #Buffs are bowl bound this year!”

§  Pacific Takes fantasy league: Lost a heartbreaker, then I found out that TE Colt Lyerla quit the Oregon team and am without a TE. I picked up OSU’s Klute but there’s not much out there; I may even take a flyer on Slavin, Fernandez or even Sean Irwin.  I had drafted Lyerla pretty early, counting on him as my only TE, but he has been as worthless piece of turd.  Look for him to go pro and sign as an undrafted free agent with some cruddy team.