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Are we waiting for the light to come on, or...?

boydbuff

Club Member
I have been wondering exactly where we are at in the rebuilding process. I realize it normally takes 2-3 years to show marked improvement when a new coach takes over.

But you always here of how teams have a light come on and they learn how to practice better, pay attention to details, and play consistent. Most importantly perhaps, believe in themselves and play for the team not for individual accolades.

I remember HCMM spoke about an experience in the SEC I think where his dad's team (Vandy?) had a visit from the opposing coach (was it Bear Bryant?) came to visit the Vandy team after the game saying they were talented and might not lose another game all year.

That was when the light came on for those guys and began believing in themselves.

I know it is trivial but HCMM said for the first time ever, players asked in practice on Tuesday to replay some plays to get it right. Is that a sign they are on the right path? Do we need an upset over a ranked team or just Arizona to have the light come on?

Or as some of you prefer to argue, we just don't have the talent to compete regularly with the mid and upper tiers of the Pac so maybe it doesn't matter if a light comes on?

I.e. do we just need to try to show some gradual improvement while HCMM builds up our recruiting so that we can eventually compete and then have the light come on?
 
To keep with the metaphor, I think we are getting the wiring laid out for the light right now. The signs are good, very good. I don't think they are there yet though. I also don't think a win over UofA will indicate the light has come on. That is unless they absolutely shut down Carey. If we hold him under 150 and keep him out of the endzone, then that would tell me a lot about the teams mentality and where we are in rebuilding this team.
 
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Great post, I believe you're articulating all of our thoughts as we go through this process. To keep my post short and to the point, I believe we are right on schedule in this turnaround, here's my reasoning why. Last year I was scared for this team to play anyone! Whether it was Oregon, CSU, or Boulder High; I had no confidence whatsoever that we could look competitive in any game, much less win. I don't have that same fear this year. Sure, the top-tier teams in the Pac will beat us soundly, as they do most teams, but I have every reason to believe that we will beat any team of equal or lesser talent, due to our coaching and scheme. Of course, I know the obvious response to this is to state that every team in Pac has more talent than us, and this is true for the most part, but that is why this is called rebuilding.

This is not the NFL where a team can go sign a marquee free-agent and cut under performing players. In college football, you truly are the sum of your parts, and changing those parts out for better ones takes time. This is pure speculation on my part, but I feel that HCMM is less than thrilled with a large contingent of the upperclassman who are simply used to losing games. It appears that he is putting younger players on the field, that have not been neaten down by the past few years of ugly football. As Mac brings in more of these young guys, and loses the dead weight players due to attrition, I believe you will see the culture change needed at CU to win games. That, Boydbuff, is when the "light will come on".
 
This reminds me of when Magino was struggling at Kansas. He was a good coach and had them playing much more competitive, but they still hadn't "turned the corner". CU traveled to Kansas and beat them after a pretty gritty performance. After the game, Barnett went into their locker room and talked to the players, complementing how hard they fought and encouraging them to keep playing hard (paraphrasing at best). Wasn't long after that KU had some breakthrough wins and went on to have some of the best seasons in the history of their program.

Barnett is no Bear Bryant, but I remember that gesture and still believe it was a class move by Barnett.
 
Pure speculation, but it might be a sign that one or more players are stepping forward as leaders. Perhaps the "tired of losing" attitude is being replaced by a "let's do something about it" mentality.
 
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Its a good sign when guys like Vigo says he sees no quit in the team...they quit on Hawkins and Embree

Its a good sign when HCMM says they are starting to get it in practice

Its a good sign when HCMM gives the reigns to Sefo and says its yours young man, go with it

We are headed in the right direction
 
A good foundation is being built, but it is going to take a while. Don't necessarily expect to see the light go on this year on the field.
 
BehindEnemyLines said:
Pure speculation, but it might be a sign that one or more players are stepping forward as leaders. Perhaps the "tired of losing" attitude is being replaced by a "let's do something about it" mentality.
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sure would be nice, us fans can only do so much. At some point the players have to do their part.
 
BuffUp said:
sure would be nice, us fans can only do so much. At some point the players have to do their part.
Click to expand...

I know this comment will be immediately taken back to administration commitment, but fans also need to do their part by putting their money where there mouths are. Seems like a chicken or egg situation.


Sent from a red light
 
Get ready for that light to blink on and off and flicker for a while before it comes on strong. This is a process that involves a huge change.

There are kids coming in who were not part of the old culture. There are a lot more who were here and saw it and many who participated in it.

Some of these kids will readily adapt the new culture, wanting to win and willing to do what is needed to get there.

Some of the kids will actively fight the new culture, being more comfortable in the bad culuture they know than a better culture they don't.

The majority will waver back and forth wanting the change but at the same time fearing the unknown and looking for guidance from others.

In the good weeks those who want the new culture will have a bigger influence, in the bad weeks it will go the other way. As the team continues to turn over with additional recruiting classes you hope the the influence of those tied to the old culture is reduced each time.
 
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