Do the 2016 Buffaloes rival the 1990 squad

[Justin M Guerriero]

I've actually never heard anyone's opinion on the matter how good the 1990 champs team actually was. Clearly a great team, so great that the players and head coach Bill McCartney have been elevated to immortal status within university circles, as well as in college sports circles, as well. But is the success achieved by that team (five wins over ranked teams that year, including #5 Notre Dame in Orange Bowl) at a high enough level that is uncriticizable...

This 2016 team is solid. So are they in the trajectory to be considered on the same level as the '90 team? And if now, then how about if they take down Washington?

Some food for thought:

3rd down efficiency:
1990: 48.9%
2016: 46.4%

Points per game:
1990: 32.4
2016: 35.5

Offensive yards per game average:
1990: 478.3
2016: 431.4

Average gain on 1st down:
1990: 6.5
2016: 6.28

Turnovers...
This year, the Buffs have committed 13 turnovers. The 1990 squad fumbled the ball 39 times, losing 17 of them. Darian Hagan threw 8 picks (against 11 TDs).

So are the Buffaloes of today on anything of a similar level to the 1990 national champions?

 

[FlaBuff]

It's all in how they finiish. Numbers are nice, I imagine the 1994 numbers compare favorably with 1990. But look at the 1989 team, multiple blowouts over not just K-state and Kansas, but gaudy numbers against Washington, Texas and the Illini. But the finish matters. Let these guys finish. they will write their own legend.