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Broken
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For the CU football program, the Arizona contest was a “make-or-break” game.
Consider the Buffs broken.
—
Broken promises …
This fall, the defending Pac-12 South champions were not picked to repeat as division winners.
But no one thought they would be this bad.
— The offensive line play has been awful.
We were told that the offensive line would be a strength this fall, not a weakness.
We were misled.
“I’ve said it a few times, this is the best offensive line we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Mike MacIntyre this August.
And it wasn’t just MacIntyre.
“It’s as good as we’ve had for a while,” running backs coach Darian Hagan said of the offensive line. “You look up there and you see really good athleticism, guys that are smart, guys that are maulers. In this conference, if you don’t have a mauler up front, then you’re going to struggle. Our guys, we have confidence in them.”
In six games, the Buffs have tried four different lineups along the offensive line. Colorado gave up four sacks to an Arizona defense which was 96th in the nation in sacks coming into the game.
The offense did produce 42 points and 551 yards, which is nothing to be upset about, but there was the feeling right from the start that whatever CU’s offense could produce, it wasn’t going to be enough.
Which leads us to …
— The defensive line for Colorado is worse than the offensive line.
The defensive line had to be completely rebuilt, and Buff fans understood that the line might be the weak link in the defense.
We were told, however, not to worry.
“We have depth this year and I think it’s pretty good depth,” defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat said. “When we have depth and don’t have to have a guy play 70 to 75 plays, that helps us. That keeps them fresh and it keeps them involved in the game. It’s why I like to play more than three guys if I have the young guys who can do it and the depth. We have to keep them fresh.”
The defensive linemen had plenty of time to stay “fresh” against Arizona, as the Colorado defense gave up seven scoring drives to the Wildcats, with only one taking more than six plays. Arizona had only 24:06 of possession time … it’s scary to think what they would have done with an even thirty minutes.
Broken hearts …
If you are a cock-eyed optimist, you will note that the Buffs were in both of the last two games down to the final minute.
Had Steven Montez not thrown the ball out of the end zone on the final play against UCLA, giving his “Blackout Boyz” a chance at making a game-winning catch …
Had the Buff defense been able to hold the Arizona offense on third-and-four at the Wildcat 31 with three minutes still remaining, or on third-and-seven a few plays later, the Buff offense could have rallied the Buffs to victory …
“We need to get breaks,” said Phillip Lindsay, who will leave Colorado as one of its most decorated – and popular – players ever. “In any football game, it comes down to whoever is going to get the most breaks whether it is a fumble or a kick return to the house for us. It is the little things that matter. It is the little things that are hurting us.”
I have great empathy for Phillip Lindsay, but it should be coming down to breaks against teams like UCLA (4-8 in 2016) and Arizona (3-9). Arizona hadn’t won a road game in Pac-12 play since … you guessed it … the last time the Wildcats came to Boulder.
The Buffs looked awful on defense against the Wildcats … as in Jon Embree era awful.
Three plays are seared into my memory:
– On Arizona’s first touchdown, quarterback Kahlil Tate put a move on Buff defensive end Leo Jackson III at the line of scrimmage, racing past Jackson and the rest of the CU defense for 58 yards and a touchdown. The replay from the end zone camera shows Jackson chasing after Tate, but it was like a watching a commuter chasing after a train which was already leaving the station … he knew he couldn’t catch Tate, but he was putting in a good faith effort to jog after him nonetheless;
– On Arizona’s next possession, Tate scored on a 28-yard run on third-and-two. The end zone shot of this play showed two Buff defensive backs wrestling two Wildcat receivers to the ground near the ten yard line, only to look up in surprise as Tate raced past them to the end zone. Note to DB’s: If a wide receiver is blocking you fifteen yards downfield … it’s a running play! Your job is not to fling the blocker to the ground, and stand over him like Ali standing over Liston, but to find the ball and get to the ball carrier!
– Late in the third quarter, with Arizona up 28-21, the Wildcats faced a third-and-goal at the CU one yard line. Jase Franke was in at nose tackle, replacing the injured Javier Edwards. On the play, Arizona went right up the middle for a touchdown. Where was Franke? At the CU ten yard line, looking back as the Wildcat running back scored with ease. Franke allowed himself to be taken right out of play, rushing forward only to discover that the ball and the ball carrier had long since gone in the other direction.
It’s not my style to criticize players. Leo Jackson is one of CU’s best players; the Buff defensive backs are some of the best in the conference; and Jase Franke is coming along as a defensive tackle.
But these three plays are representative of the debacle which was the Colorado defense against Arizona.
And it’s not like we haven’t seen this before. Every year in the Mike MacIntyre era, the Wildcats have run all over the Buffs. Even in the 49-24 victory in Tucson last year, the Wildcats posted 267 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
If Arizona were the most prolific offense on CU’s schedule, this might be forgiven, even understood. Almost every other team, however, has figured out how to stop the Wildcat offense,
Yet the Buffs are still grasping at straws … and having rushing records set against them.
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Broken spirit …
I really don’t like going to zoos.
I understand their purpose. Millions of us have been able to see and interact with species which we would never have had the chance of seeing in our lifetimes. Zoos also help us to understand and protect animals, and I acknowledge that they do their best to create a suitable environment for their animals.
For me, though, these “habitats”, as well-intentioned and designed as they may be, are just prisons. It may be the animal equivalent of a prison with Wi-fi and gym access … but they are prisons nonetheless.
Some animals, most notably the big cats, have a difficult time adjusting to their confinement, constantly pacing, looking for a way out.
Most, however, adapt, and lead lives of quiet desperation, their spirits broken.
Welcome to Colorado football, midway through the 2017 season.
Two years ago, I traveled to Corvallis for the CU/Oregon State game (having children and grandchildren in Portland makes Oregon an obvious choice for a road trip). The Buffs were 0-3 in Pac-12 play heading into that game in 2015, as were the Beavers. It was a “battle of the basement”, a game to decide which team was the worst in the Pac-12 conference.
The Buffs came away with a 17-13 win, and I entitled my essay for the game, “We’re No. 1(1)!“, and, sure enough, it proved to be true. Colorado did not win another Pac-12 game the remainder of the season, finishing 4-9, 1-8, while Oregon State finished the season 2-10, 0-9.
Last fall, Oregon State traveled to Boulder, with the Buffs winning handily, 47-6. Colorado had distanced itself from Oregon State, and the gap between the two programs was significant.
Now, Colorado returns to play Oregon State in Corvallis (I’ll be there again). The Buffs are 0-3 in Pac-12 play, as are the Beavers. It will again be a “battle of the basement”, a game to decide which team is the worst in the Pac-12 conference.
Which sucks.
I was willing to live through a 7-5 season this fall. I understood that the Buffs were not likely to repeat as Pac-12 South champions; I accepted that a ten-win season was not in the offing.
But to have fallen so far, so fast?
Right back down to the bottom. The Buff spent a decade trying to climb out of the basement … but took only a half season to fall right back in.
“I don’t think our guys are demoralized. They’re really dejected,” said Mike MacIntyre. “We’ve lost two heartbreakers in a row, down to the wire. That’s the way Pac‐12 games go. Last year, we won five of them like that. We’ll eventually win some more, so hopefully we can do that this week.”
This particular Buff fan is past dejected … demoralized is a much better description.
Colorado is 3-3, with most of the easiest games in the rear view mirror. The task now becomes one of trying to go 3-3 the remainder of the season, and send Phillip Lindsay out with a bowl victory and a winning season.
I’m not seeing it.
Broken promises led to broken hearts, which it turn has led to broken spirits.
Off to Corvallis, in hopes of claiming the No. 11 spot in the Pac-12 conference …
–
—–
Stuart
Continue reading...
Broken
—
For the CU football program, the Arizona contest was a “make-or-break” game.
Consider the Buffs broken.
—
Broken promises …
This fall, the defending Pac-12 South champions were not picked to repeat as division winners.
But no one thought they would be this bad.
— The offensive line play has been awful.
We were told that the offensive line would be a strength this fall, not a weakness.
We were misled.
“I’ve said it a few times, this is the best offensive line we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Mike MacIntyre this August.
And it wasn’t just MacIntyre.
“It’s as good as we’ve had for a while,” running backs coach Darian Hagan said of the offensive line. “You look up there and you see really good athleticism, guys that are smart, guys that are maulers. In this conference, if you don’t have a mauler up front, then you’re going to struggle. Our guys, we have confidence in them.”
In six games, the Buffs have tried four different lineups along the offensive line. Colorado gave up four sacks to an Arizona defense which was 96th in the nation in sacks coming into the game.
The offense did produce 42 points and 551 yards, which is nothing to be upset about, but there was the feeling right from the start that whatever CU’s offense could produce, it wasn’t going to be enough.
Which leads us to …
— The defensive line for Colorado is worse than the offensive line.
The defensive line had to be completely rebuilt, and Buff fans understood that the line might be the weak link in the defense.
We were told, however, not to worry.
“We have depth this year and I think it’s pretty good depth,” defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat said. “When we have depth and don’t have to have a guy play 70 to 75 plays, that helps us. That keeps them fresh and it keeps them involved in the game. It’s why I like to play more than three guys if I have the young guys who can do it and the depth. We have to keep them fresh.”
The defensive linemen had plenty of time to stay “fresh” against Arizona, as the Colorado defense gave up seven scoring drives to the Wildcats, with only one taking more than six plays. Arizona had only 24:06 of possession time … it’s scary to think what they would have done with an even thirty minutes.
Broken hearts …
If you are a cock-eyed optimist, you will note that the Buffs were in both of the last two games down to the final minute.
Had Steven Montez not thrown the ball out of the end zone on the final play against UCLA, giving his “Blackout Boyz” a chance at making a game-winning catch …
Had the Buff defense been able to hold the Arizona offense on third-and-four at the Wildcat 31 with three minutes still remaining, or on third-and-seven a few plays later, the Buff offense could have rallied the Buffs to victory …
“We need to get breaks,” said Phillip Lindsay, who will leave Colorado as one of its most decorated – and popular – players ever. “In any football game, it comes down to whoever is going to get the most breaks whether it is a fumble or a kick return to the house for us. It is the little things that matter. It is the little things that are hurting us.”
I have great empathy for Phillip Lindsay, but it should be coming down to breaks against teams like UCLA (4-8 in 2016) and Arizona (3-9). Arizona hadn’t won a road game in Pac-12 play since … you guessed it … the last time the Wildcats came to Boulder.
The Buffs looked awful on defense against the Wildcats … as in Jon Embree era awful.
Three plays are seared into my memory:
– On Arizona’s first touchdown, quarterback Kahlil Tate put a move on Buff defensive end Leo Jackson III at the line of scrimmage, racing past Jackson and the rest of the CU defense for 58 yards and a touchdown. The replay from the end zone camera shows Jackson chasing after Tate, but it was like a watching a commuter chasing after a train which was already leaving the station … he knew he couldn’t catch Tate, but he was putting in a good faith effort to jog after him nonetheless;
– On Arizona’s next possession, Tate scored on a 28-yard run on third-and-two. The end zone shot of this play showed two Buff defensive backs wrestling two Wildcat receivers to the ground near the ten yard line, only to look up in surprise as Tate raced past them to the end zone. Note to DB’s: If a wide receiver is blocking you fifteen yards downfield … it’s a running play! Your job is not to fling the blocker to the ground, and stand over him like Ali standing over Liston, but to find the ball and get to the ball carrier!
– Late in the third quarter, with Arizona up 28-21, the Wildcats faced a third-and-goal at the CU one yard line. Jase Franke was in at nose tackle, replacing the injured Javier Edwards. On the play, Arizona went right up the middle for a touchdown. Where was Franke? At the CU ten yard line, looking back as the Wildcat running back scored with ease. Franke allowed himself to be taken right out of play, rushing forward only to discover that the ball and the ball carrier had long since gone in the other direction.
It’s not my style to criticize players. Leo Jackson is one of CU’s best players; the Buff defensive backs are some of the best in the conference; and Jase Franke is coming along as a defensive tackle.
But these three plays are representative of the debacle which was the Colorado defense against Arizona.
And it’s not like we haven’t seen this before. Every year in the Mike MacIntyre era, the Wildcats have run all over the Buffs. Even in the 49-24 victory in Tucson last year, the Wildcats posted 267 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
If Arizona were the most prolific offense on CU’s schedule, this might be forgiven, even understood. Almost every other team, however, has figured out how to stop the Wildcat offense,
Yet the Buffs are still grasping at straws … and having rushing records set against them.
—
Broken spirit …
I really don’t like going to zoos.
I understand their purpose. Millions of us have been able to see and interact with species which we would never have had the chance of seeing in our lifetimes. Zoos also help us to understand and protect animals, and I acknowledge that they do their best to create a suitable environment for their animals.
For me, though, these “habitats”, as well-intentioned and designed as they may be, are just prisons. It may be the animal equivalent of a prison with Wi-fi and gym access … but they are prisons nonetheless.
Some animals, most notably the big cats, have a difficult time adjusting to their confinement, constantly pacing, looking for a way out.
Most, however, adapt, and lead lives of quiet desperation, their spirits broken.
Welcome to Colorado football, midway through the 2017 season.
Two years ago, I traveled to Corvallis for the CU/Oregon State game (having children and grandchildren in Portland makes Oregon an obvious choice for a road trip). The Buffs were 0-3 in Pac-12 play heading into that game in 2015, as were the Beavers. It was a “battle of the basement”, a game to decide which team was the worst in the Pac-12 conference.
The Buffs came away with a 17-13 win, and I entitled my essay for the game, “We’re No. 1(1)!“, and, sure enough, it proved to be true. Colorado did not win another Pac-12 game the remainder of the season, finishing 4-9, 1-8, while Oregon State finished the season 2-10, 0-9.
Last fall, Oregon State traveled to Boulder, with the Buffs winning handily, 47-6. Colorado had distanced itself from Oregon State, and the gap between the two programs was significant.
Now, Colorado returns to play Oregon State in Corvallis (I’ll be there again). The Buffs are 0-3 in Pac-12 play, as are the Beavers. It will again be a “battle of the basement”, a game to decide which team is the worst in the Pac-12 conference.
Which sucks.
I was willing to live through a 7-5 season this fall. I understood that the Buffs were not likely to repeat as Pac-12 South champions; I accepted that a ten-win season was not in the offing.
But to have fallen so far, so fast?
Right back down to the bottom. The Buff spent a decade trying to climb out of the basement … but took only a half season to fall right back in.
“I don’t think our guys are demoralized. They’re really dejected,” said Mike MacIntyre. “We’ve lost two heartbreakers in a row, down to the wire. That’s the way Pac‐12 games go. Last year, we won five of them like that. We’ll eventually win some more, so hopefully we can do that this week.”
This particular Buff fan is past dejected … demoralized is a much better description.
Colorado is 3-3, with most of the easiest games in the rear view mirror. The task now becomes one of trying to go 3-3 the remainder of the season, and send Phillip Lindsay out with a bowl victory and a winning season.
I’m not seeing it.
Broken promises led to broken hearts, which it turn has led to broken spirits.
Off to Corvallis, in hopes of claiming the No. 11 spot in the Pac-12 conference …
–
—–
Stuart
Continue reading...
