Many
in Buff nation were vocal in their support for Lane Kiffin earlier in the
season, in hopes that he would still be at USC when the Trojans came to Boulder. Alas, instead we have the 5-1 under fiery
Southern interim coach Ed Orgeron, once again ranked and relevant Southern Cal
coming into town on a wave of momentum after having upset Stanford last week.
However, could there be a slight hangover from that huge win, and possibly the
distraction a potentially Pac12 South-deciding showdown next week against
UCLA? Let’s hope so, as that scenario is
probably the Buffs best chance at getting this upset win to keep their slim
bowl hopes alive. The Bruins play ASU
this week, and if the Wildcats win (game will be done before kickoff at Folsom)
they win the Pac12 South and USC has a little less to play for which could be
one more small factor in CU’s favor; or, if UCLA wins, it makes next week’s LA
showdown even bigger (if Arizona were also to beat ASU next week, USC could go
to Pac12championship game with a win) and the Trojans might peek ahead. Every little bit will help.
It
will definitely be cold and possibly snowing.
MacIntyre said cold or bad weather isn’t really a problem, once you get
going. Therefore, a strong start from the Buffs will be important, both in
limiting USC and taking advantage of any mistakes, and especially finishing and
getting into the endzone once they hit that “28-yard line wall”.
§ Line: Even I was little surprised that
visiting #23 USC opened as a 22 point favorite, so hopefully that provides a
little more motivation for the Buffs.
§ Weather Notes: Although it is doubtful
there will be any significant precipitation, the forecast for the game is
friggin’ cold and will likely chase away numerous fans from an already small
crowd without many students who have already left for vacation. CU gave away 4 free tickets to every season
ticket holder, but that won’t be able to make up the difference. All six (2
season +4 free) of my tickets (well, five for sure) will be filled with black
and gold clad Buff fans. Unfortunately, most pregame outdoor activities have
been cancelled, with some moved indoors, including our regular tailgate.
§ The
worst consequence is that Ralphie may not run, depending on field
conditions. I wonder if making this
announcement ahead of time has anything to do with the HBO Real Sports segment
on live animal mascots that showed how revered and doted on these animals are,
as well as the view that they are mistreated by being in environments so
foreign to their natural habitats, even though most of these animals were never
able to be in the wild. The über-critical
lady from PETA, who probably had a few
valid points, had herself on the verge of tears for her entire interview. I don’t remember a season when Ralphie didn’t
run for whatever reason at more than one game.
§ Senior Night: The Buffs will be saying
goodbye to fourteen (16?) total seniors, including a number of key seniors like
C Gus Handler, LT Jack Harris, DE Chidera Uzo-Diribe, DT Nate Bonsu, LB Derrick
Webb, S Parker Orms, long snapper Ryan Iverson, who all played and contributed regularly,
as well as other fan favorites like TEs Scott “Scooter” Fernandez and Alex
Wood, LB Paul Vigo, plus some others who didn’t really play much if at all. The best news though is that this list is
really not that long.
§ Of
course, this could very well be WR Paul Richardson’s last home game as well.
§ The
group of fans in charge of the Buffalo Heart Award circulated tailgates and stands
last week getting the crowd’s vote to recognize the senior who has given it all
and gone through the most, no matter what their role. Nate Bonsu (multiple injuries) is one deserving
candidate, Parker Orms (overcame size questions, multiple injuries) was the one
I heard most mentioned and the favorite in my opinion, but I voted for Scooter,
who moved d-line to o-line to TE as a walk-on and managed to earn a scholarship
from two different coaching staffs and end his career as a some time starter.
§ Injuries: P-Rich has commented that he
is only around 70% but that he can still help the team.
§ Overall,
the Buffs (please knock on nearest wood) have continued to stay amazingly
healthy, having lost very few relative “starter” games, especially with key
players on both sides of the ball.
§ S
Parker Orms is expected to play, recovered from his stinger, but LB Woodson
Greer was still questionable.
§ RB
Josh Ford’s ankle is still not 100% and he is going to petition for a redshirt
and a 6th year of eligibility.
§ USC
on the other hand, has had a slew of injuries to an already sanction-depleted
roster too long to list. They only used 13 total players on defense last week.
When the Buffs have the ball:
§ MacIntyre
said that you have to keep the Trojans off balance on defense because they are
so good against both the run and the pass.
I can’t wait to see what Lindgren pulls out of the bag.
§ When
they get in the red zone they have to be more creative. I will literally scream high-pitched like a
little girl throwing a tantrum is they get first and goal and run it up the
middle on first down and I cannot be responsible for myself if they gain
nothing and then do it again, leaving themselves 3rd and goal from
the 8 or 9…again.
§ They
need to hold on to the ball and not give away any turnovers because USC will
capitalize.
§ USC
defensive starters all played almost the entire Stanford game without
substitutes (only two others even played on defense and one only sparingly)
because of roster limitations further attrition because of injury. If that is the case this week as well, the
group should be very tired by game’s end at altitude. It will behoove the CU offense to line up quickly
and keep the ball moving, to keep the SC offense off the field and their
defense on the field as much as possible and sucking wind.
§ However,
USC has been playing great defense and not giving up many points, especially in
the deeper passing game, where they shut down Stanford. They have given up some rushing yards though,
so Powell and Adkins could have good days and eat some clock.
§ Sefo
is coming off his best game and is playing with confidence and needs to stay on
this course. He has to continue to stay
in the game plan, keep poised in the pocket as he has done from his first snap
and continue to get the ball to P-Rich and Nelson Spruce. I have written numerous times that they need
to spread the ball around more, but if teams keep giving those two space to
catch the ball, then keep feeding it to them.
§ However,
with the weather, I think they will be overall conservative with just a few
wrinkles. Sefo will concentrate on
keeping the ball safe and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him keep it a few more
times.
§ It
was nice to see the way they got an easy TD with the tight end and they should
be able to benefit by the attention given to the position or do it again.
Slavin was wide open on a variation of the zone option read where everyone
committed to the run and Slavin walked unmolested forward for easy score. Sean Irwin actually got the start and it
would be nice to see them hit him when no one was looking.
§ Do
everything S/LB hybrid Dion Bailey is a beast in the middle and makes all kinds
of plays.
§ USC
always has talented, fast defensive backs and S Su’a Cravens, a top target of
Embree’s staff, is yet another and has had immediate impact.
§ Overall,
SC defenders are much faster than Cal’s (and Colorado’s for that matter) at
every position. The front seven, led by
DE Leonard Williams, who even limited by a shoulder injury has been effective,
and LBs Devon Kennard and Hayes Pullard.
When the Trojans have the ball:
§ QB
Cody Kessler has gotten better every week since separating from the influence
of Lane Kiffin and so has the offense. Kessler
just does what he needs to do, effective, but gaining the dreaded “game manager”
tag. Kessler has a strong cast to work
with, deeper on offense at the skill positions than on defense.
§ USC
does have a stable of running backs, which is good for them, since almost all
of them have been injured at some point this season. But all are very effective and I believe four
different guys have had a 100-yard game this year (or at least close to it)-Silas
Redd (questionable with ankle), Tre Madden (solid whenever healthy and appears
to be now), Javarious Allen (unknown factor early but hot hand with 7 TDs in
last 3 games), plus Justin Davis (out for season)-and all have shown the
ability to break a long one. This is their bread and butter (maybe not quite
like the student body right days) and no matter whom it is they will run the
ball a lot, especially considering the weather conditions.
§ WR
Marquise Lee has been a disappointment statistics wise with injuries and teams
focusing on him, but he is still a huge threat, especially with the development
of Nelson Agholor. Lee was hobbling
after the game last week but is expected to play (just like his former high
school teammate Paul Richardson).
Crawley, Henderson and Chido will really have to be on their game.
§ Everyone
on the Colorado defense has to play even better than they did last week (their
best game of the season I might add) in order to slow down the Trojan offense
enough for Sefo and crew to keep up.
They cannot be lazy on tackles as jerseys will be just a little slick
even if there is no precipitation. USC
is definitely talented enough to take advantage of mistakes.
§ The
Trojan offensive line may not be that big but they are very athletic and
talented; Chidera said he thinks they are “the best offensive line that we play
all year.” I personally don’t expect the
Buff defensive line to have much success against them, which means Kessler will
have some time when he wants to throw and the running backs should find some
holes.
§ Look
for LB Derrick Webb to have a huge day in his last game at Folsom and Addison Gillam
to have another solid day, but they are not enough alone. Someone will need to make a play or two on
defense for the Buffs to have a chance.
Special Teams:
§ Agholor
has also been lethal on returns and this will be a much stiffer test than Cal’s
bumbling unit last week. I think Darragh
will be directional rugby-style punting a lot, but I could also see some
trickeration happening as well.
§ Wil
Oliver’s range will be shortened with the cold, but he really needs to connect
on any chances he gets inside the 25 or so.
The return coverage team will need to be on its game because the
kickoffs will likely be short with the cold.
§ This
game could very easily be decided by one or two big plays, and special teams
could certainly provide them. So, the Buffs have to not give up the big
return, and it would be a fabulous game for Severson or Spruce to finally break
one!
§ Overall, it is hard to pick the Buffs here based on talent alone. However, with the home field, altitude,
weather, senior day, bowl carrot and USC at a perfect “trap” position in the
schedule, if the Buffs can find a way to make a few big plays (and get a couple
of good bounces or breaks) while limiting the Trojans’ big plays, they just
might pull it off. Colorado 29 Southern Cal
27. Go Buffs! Make me look like a genius!
§ If
you need some more to help stay warm
until kickoff:
Plati’s
CU Game Notes: http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/gameday/usc13/cunotes.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=600
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