Back from the game

[ZandiBuff]

Ok, never done this before, but here goes

1. First and foremost, I do feel we are in / win at the end if Sefo doesn't get hurt. Regardless of anything else. That man was a beast, possibly playing his best game ever.

2. ST cost us this game. Period. Every phase.

3. Either the OC / HC have 0 confidence in Montez, or had no intention of winning this game.

Michigan came in to this game with little to no regard for us. This was apparent. Even after their 3 and out / subsequent score, the fans and their team seemed to care little. The fumble 6 started to change minds. The 3rd TD made a lot of people uneasy. Their d was a step slow. Their offense wasn't executing.

Then, the worst thing possible happened. We let their ST get in our heads, and Kinney punted into the rear end of the blocker. You could actually feel the game shift at that exact point. Yes, we still had the lead. Yes, we still scored after that. However, MI knew that they were running the show from that point. We lost our swagger. All because we couldn't block for a punt.

In the 2nd Q, our O line became a sieve, and never recovered. In 20 years of watching CU football, I haven't seen a middle 3 get beat as easy and often as our C / G got beat. Sefo negated some of that. The running game disappeared (or was never there). Almost every pass play was pressured. Their front 4 was good, but our center 3 were abysmal.

The D never did adjust to the speed sweep. 2 TDs, lots of yards. Other than that, I feel the D was solid. They gave in at the end, but kept us in the game.

Playing the entire ISU game wouldn't have allowed Montez to win this game, but more than 1/4 of a game might help us as we go forward. Why on earth did Gehrke ever see the field against ISU?

From a fan standpoint, MI is WAY better than a lot of places I have been. Most people were friendly, actually wanting to engage with CU fans. Fairly limited douchebaggery even when we were up 21-7. 1 guy cheered when Sefo got hurt, which made me consider getting ejected for starting a fight, but generally non-confrontational.

 

[cu3x]

good job, thanks

 

[BuffUp]

There are a lot of good teams out there today sitting 2-1. If our main guys heal up, we have something. We need a RB to step up and especially if we move forward without Sefo.

 

[MDBuff83]

1. Agreed.
2. Absolutely
3. You're crazy. As soon as 12 was in the game, their defensive game plan changed, and they were bringing the heat EVERY play. To say they have no confidence in Montez is crazy, he's our #2 for a reason, but clearly it also changes our game plan as well. His strengths aren't Sefo's strengths and they didn't get to game plan for that. As soon as Sefo went down, it was pretty clear our chances of winning were done. Tough spot for Montez, first REAL game action, big stage, #4 team in the country. He laid the egg most of us probably expected.

As for the Michigan fans, most were pretty good, tailgaters were friendly. I did however have someone tell me not to stand after we scored our first touchdown....huh?

We're better, I'm encouraged, Go Buffs!

 

[Buffnik]

Re-watching the painful stuff at the end, I don't think the coaches turtled once Montez was in. They were throwing downfield. Pass protection broke down and run plays were completely ineffective. He was off target on some but there were also a couple drops. His teammates did nothing to step up to help the QB2, let alone lift him up. That's a problem.

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

1. Agreed.
2. Absolutely
3. You're crazy. As soon as 12 was in the game, their defensive game plan changed, and they were bringing the heat EVERY play. To say they have no confidence in Montez is crazy, he's our #2 for a reason, but clearly it also changes our game plan as well. His strengths aren't Sefo's strengths and they didn't get to game plan for that. As soon as Sefo went down, it was pretty clear our chances of winning were done. Tough spot for Montez, first REAL game action, big stage, #4 team in the country. He laid the egg most of us probably expected.

As for the Michigan fans, most were pretty good, tailgaters were friendly. I did however have someone tell me not to stand after we scored our first touchdown....huh?

We're better, I'm encouraged, Go Buffs!

Well the seats are so tight together that if you stand up, everyone in your row has to stand up lol

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

Re-watching the painful stuff at the end, I don't think the coaches turtled once Montez was in. They were throwing downfield. Pass protection broke down and run plays were completely ineffective. He was off target on some but there were also a couple drops. His teammates did nothing to step up to help the QB2, let alone lift him up. That's a problem.

As was pointed out, UM started really pressuring the QB when Montez came in. It was obvious he wasn't ready for that stage, but his team did nothing to help him.

 

[ZandiBuff]

As was pointed out, UM started really pressuring the QB when Montez came in. It was obvious he wasn't ready for that stage, but his team did nothing to help him.

Agree that they started bringing the house, but call a screen or a draw. Adapt when they do.

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

Agree that they started bringing the house, but call a screen or a draw. Adapt when they do.

Montez was rattled and the offense had given up on him. Don't think it would have mattered.

 

[Darth Snow]

Agree that they started bringing the house, but call a screen or a draw. Adapt when they do.

we did call a screen. They were ready and nearly took it back to the house iirc.

 

[onealcd]

I thought they did a good job of running away from the blitz in the first half and calling trap plays to counteract that but in the second half when we fell behind we got away from it.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

Re-watching the painful stuff at the end, I don't think the coaches turtled once Montez was in. They were throwing downfield. Pass protection broke down and run plays were completely ineffective. He was off target on some but there were also a couple drops. His teammates did nothing to step up to help the QB2, let alone lift him up. That's a problem.

Calling a reverse, throwback pass or whatever it was on Montez' first or second play should have been the first sign of the staff not "turtling" like everyone seems to be screaming. Also, 7/12 offensive plays that Montez was in for (not including the last series of all runs with Evans) were called passes with 2 more being scrambles (another called pass) or designed runs. So let's just go ahead and kill with fire the narrative that the staff "turtled".

 

[Buffnik]

Calling a reverse, throwback pass or whatever it was on Montez' first or second play should have been the first sign of the staff not "turtling" like everyone seems to be screaming. Also, 7/12 offensive plays that Montez was in for (not including the last series of all runs with Evans) were called passes with 2 more being scrambles (another called pass) or designed runs. So let's just go ahead and kill with fire the narrative that the staff "turtled".

If anything, the narrative from fans that would be appropriate was that the offensive staff was too aggressive instead of building confidence and rhythm with some safe plays designed to get a first down rather than going for home runs.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

If anything, the narrative from fans that would be appropriate was that the offensive staff was too aggressive instead of building confidence and rhythm with some safe plays designed to get a first down rather than going for home runs.

I went back and watched all Montez snaps and the ESPN play-by-play drive chart must have been missing a drive, but the numbers remain about the same...

11/18 plays (before running out the clock with Evans) were called passes. However, only a few were short, rhythm type passes that I would have expected.

1 – Run - Read Option Keep
2 – Pass - Deep Left to Bobo (penalty for 1st down)
3 – Pass - Reverse throwback pass deep right for Frazier
4 – Pass - Empty – Sacked by Peppers
5 – Pass - Scramble pass to Shay
6 – Run – Read Option give
7 – Run – Lindsay off tackle
8 – Pass – Short to JMac – Bad throw
9 – Run - Off tackle to Lindsay
10 – Pass – Scramble throw away
11 – Pass – WR Screen that gets blown up immediately
12 – Run – Read option give to Adkins
13 – Run – QB Draw (Montez leaves for 1 play)
14 - Pass – Swing to Adkins (Gherke) short of 1st down
15 – Pass – PA on 4th and 1, bad throw incomplete
16 – Pass – Scramble throwaway
17 – Run – Read option give
18 – Pass – Sacked
19-22 – All Runs to Kyle Evans

 

[Buffnik]

From the little I saw at practices, Montez's best routes seem to be on short to intermediate drag routes. Also pretty good on deeper post routes and deep balls. Basically, the stuff that doesn't require a ton of timing and accuracy. Pretty much the routes that Tebow was so effective with in college.

To make that stuff really work, though, we've got to have the run game going. Got to force those LBs to stay home because they're worried about Montez taking off on a scramble (opens up the crossing routes and deeper post routes over the top of them).

Also, those quick throws to the WRs have to be turned into explosive plays. To use the Florida example again, getting Fields and Ross going with those Percy Harvin plays on the perimeter in space.

With Montez at this stage in his development, so much is on the OL giving him protection and making the run game happen along with the receivers blocking well to free up the short passing & run game.

 

[CitizenKane]

I would agree with those that are saying CU didn't turtle. I would also agree that team mates didn't help Montez. Course Montez also appeared to be operating in panic mode. Michigan definitely wore CU down and CU's linebackers were exposed.

Even with all of that CU is in this game except for coaching. After all, the special teams errors are all coaching - CU knew going in what to expect from Michigan, yet clearly wasn't prepared. The kicker hadn't been prepped to do a one step kick (see three step initial punt) and obviously hadn't practiced rugby style kicks, or just kicking it out of bounds. The blockers for the punt team weren't staying in and holding their block for an extra second....instead many released without blocking. All coaching.

Oh and clock management at the end of the first half - CU is winning with 1:59 left in the first half, but the momentum is now all with Michigan. Michigan only has one time out remaining. CU also will get the ball first in the second half. CU has the ball, so does CU run out the clock so Michigan can't continue to build momentum? Nope they go for the high risk move and get aggressive on first down, completing a pass. Unfortunately, it is called back due to a hold, but the clock is running. It is first and twenty inside your own twenty with 1:47 and the clock is running. This means CU runs out the clock right?!?!? Nope, CU throws again on first down...incomplete, clock stops...and guess who keeps doing that?!? This goes beyond poor clock management to pure idiocy. As we all know, Lindgren isn't known for being overly aggressive...which may mean blame lies with Chiv (I hate to say that because Chiv is awesome), but the buck stops with the head coach. Oh and we all know what happened, Michigan got another touchdown before half, when they never should have gotten the ball. Just horrible coaching.

Special teams gave Michigan 14 first half points and likely accounted for 3 more Michigan got due to a net 23 yard punt (Missed FG's happen so I am not counting that). Poor clock management gave Michigan 7 more in the first half. This means coaching gave Michigan between 21 and 24 first half points and that CU would have been up 28-0 in the third if the coaches didn't mess this up.

I suspect the level of fight from CU after Sefo's injury would have been entirely different if they were up 28-0 or 28-3 when he went out. (Can anyone tell that watching the game a second time made me more angry than the first time?!?). Leavitt had it right, CU didn't go there to lose and non of us should be happy with the loss.

 

[Deleted member 807]

I would agree with those that are saying CU didn't turtle. I would also agree that team mates didn't help Montez. Course Montez also appeared to be operating in panic mode. Michigan definitely wore CU down and CU's linebackers were exposed.

Even with all of that CU is in this game except for coaching. After all, the special teams errors are all coaching - CU knew going in what to expect from Michigan, yet clearly wasn't prepared. The kicker hadn't been prepped to do a one step kick (see three step initial punt) and obviously hadn't practiced rugby style kicks, or just kicking it out of bounds. The blockers for the punt team weren't staying in and holding their block for an extra second....instead many released without blocking. All coaching.

Oh and clock management at the end of the first half - CU is winning with 1:59 left in the first half, but the momentum is now all with Michigan. Michigan only has one time out remaining. CU also will get the ball first in the second half. CU has the ball, so does CU run out the clock so Michigan can't continue to build momentum? Nope they go for the high risk move and get aggressive on first down, completing a pass. Unfortunately, it is called back due to a hold, but the clock is running. It is first and twenty inside your own twenty with 1:47 and the clock is running. This means CU runs out the clock right?!?!? Nope, CU throws again on first down...incomplete, clock stops...and guess who keeps doing that?!? This goes beyond poor clock management to pure idiocy. As we all know, Lindgren isn't known for being overly aggressive...which may mean blame lies with Chiv (I hate to say that because Chiv is awesome), but the buck stops with the head coach. Oh and we all know what happened, Michigan got another touchdown before half, when they never should have gotten the ball. Just horrible coaching.

Special teams gave Michigan 14 first half points and likely accounted for 3 more Michigan got due to a net 23 yard punt (Missed FG's happen so I am not counting that). Poor clock management gave Michigan 7 more in the first half. This means coaching gave Michigan between 21 and 24 first half points and that CU would have been up 28-0 in the third if the coaches didn't mess this up.

I suspect the level of fight from CU after Sefo's injury would have been entirely different if they were up 28-0 or 28-3 when he went out. (Can anyone tell that watching the game a second time made me more angry than the first time?!?). Leavitt had it right, CU didn't go there to lose and non of us should be happy with the loss.

You're not alone. I've shared this frustration.

I'm turning the corner, though. Why let that Michigan loss beat us again on the Monday of Oregon week?

Time to flush Michigan for now and move on to the next one.

 

[JWP303]

From a fan standpoint, MI is WAY better than a lot of places I have been. Most people were friendly, actually wanting to engage with CU fans. Fairly limited douchebaggery even when we were up 21-7. 1 guy cheered when Sefo got hurt, which made me consider getting ejected for starting a fight, but generally non-confrontational.

My experience has been that road fans mostly pity us anymore - I actually miss the days of douchebag Big 12 fans treating us poorly on the road. The only game where you get that now is the Rocky Mountain Showdown.

 

[ArizonaBuff]

IT is sad to see the program fall so far and some of the fans thinking this is the norm. IT is not, you can be great. But you have to want to be great, and the players and coaches and fans have to reject losing. When we went on the road with McCartney's teams, we knew we were going to win, and the teams we played were hoping they would upset us. The most disappointing thing is how long this special teams fiasco has gone on. Coach Mike must know how important special teams are...and Mich. was a fiasco, total and complete. STs are just as important as O or D, and football is a game of field position, period. It has to get fixed.
A guy named Mike Hankwitz, who also coached LBs and Defense under McCartney, was a great ST coach and had great punters and kickers. Your field goal kicker has to be cold-blooded, and your punter has to be a game changer, able to turn the field around on another team. Like Tom Rouen, Barry Helton, Mitch Berger, & Keith English, all great punters and All-Americans, just to name a few...

 

[Fight CU]

IT is sad to see the program fall so far and some of the fans thinking this is the norm. IT is not, you can be great. But you have to want to be great, and the players and coaches and fans have to reject losing. When we went on the road with McCartney's teams, we knew we were going to win, and the teams we played were hoping they would upset us. The most disappointing thing is how long this special teams fiasco has gone on. Coach Mike must know how important special teams are...and Mich. was a fiasco, total and complete. STs are just as important as O or D, and football is a game of field position, period. It has to get fixed.
A guy named Mike Hankwitz, who also coached LBs and Defense under McCartney, was a great ST coach and had great punters and kickers. Your field goal kicker has to be cold-blooded, and your punter has to be a game changer, able to turn the field around on another team. Like Tom Rouen, Barry Helton, Mitch Berger, & Keith English, all great punters and All-Americans, just to name a few...

I'd add Mariscal

 

[ZandiBuff]

If anything, the narrative from fans that would be appropriate was that the offensive staff was too aggressive instead of building confidence and rhythm with some safe plays designed to get a first down rather than going for home runs.

That's what the 4th Q of ISU should have been used for.

 

[89BUFF89]

I felt like when we didn't answer Michigan's run from 2nd half of 2nd Q was when it was lost. Would have been huge to go into half ahead. Seemed like they started getting more pressure and we didn't adjust very well. Obviously the crappy STs and once Sefo went out our goose was cooked.

 

[pcbuff]

My thought is that college football is a game of momentum. We had it and gave them hope with the stupid blocked punt. We kept fighting but when Sefo went down they had captured it and had all confidence. There were lots of things we did to get them back in the game, but for about 20 minutes, it was like CU remembered what it was like to be CU, and that is a pretty damn cool thing!

 

[BuffLuke80]

You're not alone. I've shared this frustration.

I'm turning the corner, though. Why let that Michigan loss beat us again on the Monday of Oregon week?

Time to flush Michigan for now and move on to the next one.

Well we can man but it'll be difficult.

 

[Mighty Buff]

Well we can man but it'll be difficult.

Agreed. Turn the corner? Make it stop Make it stop.
Been turning that corner for what, ten years? Looking for the straight-away to floor it and go forward. Fast.
At some point there will be a leader who takes over the Buffs and moves the Buffs away from the "chasing their tail" scenarios. Is he here now?

That's what the 4th Q of ISU should have been used for.

Yup. And the third. And more of the 4th in the CSU game

 

[ZandiBuff]

Agreed. Turn the corner? Make it stop Make it stop.
Been turning that corner for what, ten years? Looking for the straight-away to floor it and go forward. Fast.
At some point there will be a leader who takes over the Buffs and moves the Buffs away from the "chasing their tail" scenarios. Is he here now?







Yup. And the third. And more of the 4th in the CSU game

He did get the 3rd. Just not the 4th. Or anything useful from CSU.