Reviewing the "tape" (not sure that word applies in 2013) and more...

I still can’t quite get over that win!  It feels so good!  I can’t wait to hit Folsom Field on Saturday.  MacIntyre, his staff and many players started digging into tape of UCA right after returning to Boulder, basking on briefly in the win before getting “grounded” and leaving it behind to focus on the present and immediate future. Here are thoughts after reviewing the game as well as a few tidbits to tide us over until I can dig up a little more on Central Arkansas (UCA) for a preview later in the week:

§  Review of the tape: After having watched the recording of the game a few things stand out: This was just a well-played game by the Buffs as everyone played with poise and energy, they had no turnovers or sacks given up, had very few penalties, generally sure-handed with only a few drops on both sides of the ball, and the offense really played an up-tempo game, so much so that the TV couldn’t keep up (CBSPurts has some work to do on their football coverage).  The lambs were the ones making mistakes with numerous key penalties and their receivers could hold on to much at all.

§  Connor Wood really did show some poise and looked like a veteran out there, but his three main receivers-Richardson, Spruce and Goodson-made some really nice catches.

§  The lambs’ strategy on defense was to really stack the box, shut down the run and forcing Wood to pass, while trying to contain P-Rich.  They did pretty well until the last part as their DBs were just not good enough to cover all the Buffs had, especially P-Rich. And that was without the two frosh Thomas and Ross, who MacIntyre said could play this weekend, or not, but if they do, the five-wide set is scary.

§  The offensive line was really strong on pass protection, giving Connor Wood time and space to make his plays. Karl Allis, former Buff offensive lineman from the Barnett years, spoke on BuffStampedeRadio about the game and thought they looked good, “kept the pads up”, and that the run game would come around when they really need it. Not everyone is going to put 8-9 in the box to stop the run after having seen what Wood and crew can do.

§  They also ran a few plays out of a double RB backfield with both Powell and Jones on the field at the same time.  While it wasn’t necessarily successful this week, I am intrigued to see what they do with that in the future. Their Jumbo package did not fare as well as I expected, getting stopped on a few 3^rd and shorts (although one was with Jones not Powell), alnd they also converted a couple.

§  Addison Gillam was freaking amazing!  The lambs didn’t give the true frosh any credit and didn’t account for him at all on the first half and he made them pay.  And then his 4^th down de-cleater stop late in the game was killer for the lambs and huge for the Buffs. Derrick Webb also quietly had a very nice game.  The d-line did not make a ton of plays in the backfield, but they were up against a veteran line and overall, the front seven as a group contained the csu offense.  Lowell Williams played some DE (has been LB whole career) down the stretch when guys needed a little more rest. Juda Parker had a great sack late in the game.

§  In general, the defense wraps up and tackles much better, even though they had a few lapses here and there (special teams was not as good).  They were stellar in shutting down csu on 3^rd and 4^th down, allowing only a few conversions.

§  The secondary was even better than I believed and I need to give Parker Orms and Jered Bell a lot more credit, as really they each only had one bad play and were all over the place.  They all but shut down the lamb loose ends Gilmore (no catches) and Cartwright (who did the cartwheel in the endzone with a little help from Orms). Crawley was pretty good too and as stupid announcer pointed out he was in good position on PI, just need to let go of that lamb jersey.  I still really like Chido Awuzie.

§  Fans from csu are just not that smart-I noticed it at the game and then again could hear the reaction from their crowd-a loud eruption like a big play had happened, when CU obviously, purposefully, strategically took a 5-yard delay of game penalty to give them a little space to punt.  The CU team was huddled on the sidelines talking and glancing at the clock, getting some water.

§  The last TD was fantastic as CBSpurts had just shown highlight of the first big touchdown! 

§  I could easily watch the whole thing again (except the returns, but hopefully they can fix that with a tweal or different players).

§   BoulderDevil was so inspired by the game and the coach he wrote not one, but two post-game pieces-check    them out at:  http://buffwatch.blogspot.com/

§  Injuries: Paul Vigo had a stinger in practice and did not play on defense, only on some special teams and that is why Woodson Greer (#37) got so much playing time. Chidera had a stinger in his shoulder a few plays before the fumble strip, and it sounds like he snuck back on the field to make that huge play.  He leaned down later in the game and grabbed that shoulder again but I haven’t seen anything else about it. WR Tyler McCulloch is wearing a boot on his foot and RB Christian Powell is probable with a thigh bruise.  Nothing on Yuri Wright, but I don’t think he played.

§  Honors, mentions and notables: Paul Richardson now leads the nation in receiving with his 10 catch 208 yard effort and was awarded Pac12 offensive player of the week.  He should add heavily to his stats and be up for this honor again next week.  Both K Wil Oliver (4 FGs including go-ahead 52-yarder) and true frosh LB Addison Gilliam (14 tackles in debut) were also considered for special teams and defensive player of the week, and Gillam was named CU athlete of the week.

§  Wil Oliver was given one of the Lou Groza Award “stars of the week” for kickers and Connor Wood was given a ”star of the week” from the Manning Award.

§  Pac12 blog recognized a couple of Buffs for their performance and could have added more but gave Wash QB Keith Price the nod over P-Rich for offense:

Biggest play: Colorado had taken a 26-24 lead over Colorado State early in the fourth quarter, but the Rams had driven to midfield and looked poised to counter on their next possession. On second-and-8, a Garrett Grayson pass to Kapri Bibbs looked like it was going to earn a first down, but Buffs defensive end Chidera Uzo-Diribe came from behind Bibbs and slapped the ball out Greg Henderson got a nice bounce and scooped and scooted lickety-split down the sideline for a 53-yard touchdown that changed the game,
Defensive standout: Colorado's Addison Gillam was just the second true freshman to start a season opener at inside linebacker in school history, but that's not why he's noted here. He's here because he recorded 14 tackles, with two coming for a loss, and a sack. He also had a pass breakup and a key tackle on fourth down. The Buffaloes' defense, which was just awful last year, held Colorado State to 295 total yards.

§  2014 Recruiting: One of the top Colorado high school products, OL Sam Jones (ThunderRidge) has CU among his top seven schools, however, he is also still considering some little school north of here  (but that was published pre-showdown) as well as Oregon, Kansas St. (who lost to lower division powerhouse North Dakota St. in their opener), Arizona, WSU and Cal-so with the weekend’s results, he just might be down to five, unless he is focused on playing right away, albeit for a weak team and program.

§  I am sure Jones and many others were watching that game Sunday and hopefully the energy, performance and result made an impression on them.

§  The Camera’s Kyle McCall looks like he will be posting weekly updates of how CU’s verbally committed prospects are faring in their high school games

§  Other Buff notes: Senior WR Alex Turbow was given a scholarship for the year, courtesy of Austin Ray’s departure.

§  Pacific Takes fantasy league: I will be giving weekly updates of my Pac12 fantasy team Bring the Buff.  I was victorious 170-64 on the heels of P-Rich in week 1, even forgetting to replace bye week player,  My  lineup was WSU QB Connor Halliday, RBs D’Anthony Thomas (Oregon and the number one overall pick-I chose him over QB Mariota and RB Carey) and Jordon James (UCLA and looking like my best pick in the 4^th round), WRs P-Rich and Ty Montgomery on a bye (oops),  DD Goodson at the “flex”, TE Colt Lyerla (Oregon), K Wil Oliver (CU), Arizona team defense (shutout vs. No. Arizona was big points!) and Individual player Dion Bailey of USC.

§  In this league defense becomes pretty important as the scoring defense might be the biggest point swing factor, with a shutout being worth 20 points, while giving up 25 points or more results in NEGATIVE 15 points for your team.  On top of that, Individual Defensive Players can score 3 points for and interception and 6 points if they score a defensive TD, although nothing for fumbles or sacks.

§  The eight-team league is very shallow with players from only 12 real teams, and therefore waiver claims will be the key to this league as injuries and bye weeks start to wreak havoc on depth charts both real and fantasy.

§  Last year there were some huge waiver wire pickups after week 1, including Marcus Mariota, but it appears the owners did a little better or luckier research this year as there are no prospects coming off huge opening games.