Despite being huge under-dogs and on the road, I like the Buffs for the upset. A GM coached team will be ready, and it would be a tough win. I just think this team can play with anyone and they have overcome adversity this year. UCF's running QB may be tough, however this will be the 3rd time they have seen a running QB this year. Hopefully, those adjustments come easier. CU has to put it together in all three phases--not perfect but good and we will have a shot to win.
V Baylor, CU gave up 200 yards in the return game, which can/should/must be fixable. Special teams just have to be much better. This game may have been a different story without those returns. However, still CU overcame pulling a rabbit out of the hat in the end. We need a KO guy who can mostly put it through the end zone--here's to Pal or whoever they find to do that!
D was good again. Except for some gashes (i.e. the 4th & 1 going to the house), the D was mostly solid even without creating a turnover until OT. % wise they did well on 3rd and 4th down. They only gave up 1 drive the length of the field, and held Baylor many times despite their good field position. Baylor had 9 drives lasting 5 plays or less, only 3 with more plays. No doubt, their running QB hurt us, but CU mostly shut down the backs. Their QB only threw for 148 yards, ran for 90, longest pass was 30 yards. I would like more sacks and turnovers, however the Dline held up it's end again. LB's better. Secondary is as advertised, even with Shilo out. Overall, I'd say BL's defensive install is going well. It seems that CU has mostly found the guys that will be playing barring injuries. All season the D has been hard hitting and have definitely shown more depth. Thus far, they have made good in-game/halftime adjustments, which is a major plus. The D is building consistency, and just continue this process. I think they keep us in the UCF game.
The O is a skittish and still finding it's footing. Big plays are there. Oline still very much a work in progress. V. Baylor CU ran the ball more, many SS runs, and it is what it is. Overall, it was more running/balance even if it is not the backs. The backs had 21 attempts. They got it home in OT running at the very end. CU decisively won the time of possession category, for the 1st time in quite a while. The sack numbers, holding penalties, and forced QB scrambles are not good and have to be mitigated as the season progresses. Hits on SS have go down. I find it a combination: some plays are the Oline losing 1on1 battles or bad line/blitz decisions plus SS not taking the quick hot read or making the right read--line, play, or open WR. IMO, SS shows great escape ability, yet some of those could be stepping up, moving to wrong place, or not rolling out. SS holds onto the ball longer than necessary, however they want those big plays. That said, as SS's goes, probably the O goes. To be considered a 1st round elite QB, SS will have to show that he can win on the road--both close games and blowouts. Saturday is a big opportunity for him. IMO, over the past 2 games I see Shurmer and SS gelling more, so this could push them forward. If this is incremental improvement for the Oline, rather than the total regression we saw last year, the O can be better/more consistent.
Comparing CU's games to UCFs, CU has certainly been tested. CU is not pretty or a well-oiled machine by any means, but they are finding are ways to improve and just win. UCF had a nice comeback @TCU (who got boat-raced last week by SMU) and is coming off their bye week. UCF's other games were against nobodys, so hope CU is the more battle tested (higher competition) of the teams. Perhaps UCF maybe comes out flat after the early bye, or CU has some early breaks that fall their way. One thing about this season is that CU has not really put together things in the 1st half (O, D or special teams), thus we have hardly played being ahead. If SS has a good road game and/or CU gets an early drop on UCF, UCF may not handle the adversity well so opportunity knocks.
Hoping for 4-1 into the bye week. Then CU gets guys healthy and the Oline shuffle could be in full force. With the extra days over the bye week, Shumer should be able to install more of his offense--maybe more motion, pistol, etc.... Same witht he defense, they will layer in more stuff.
