CU, even at 3-2, isn’t “same old Buffs”
eah, same old Buffs,” the neighbor grumbles in my ear. “Same old Why do you say that?
“Did you see that defense?” Sure did, muchacho. And did you see who was playing on it during the second half of CU’s 35-30 loss to Arizona? “Yeah. So?”
A pair of freshmen on the defensive line (Austin Williams, Na’im Rodman), a true freshman at one cornerback slot (K.J. Trujillo) and, at least in the third quarter, a former quarterback at safety ( Sam Noyer).
And yet, despite all those kids and misfit toys, the Wildcats ran for just 43 second-half yards on 12 carries, or 3.6 per attempt. Perspective: In the previous three meetings between CU and UA, the Wildcats had averaged 295 rushing yards on 47 carries, or 6.3 yards per tote.
“Yeah, well, two words: Khalil. Tate.”
OK, two more words: Eligibility. Exhausted. But point taken. “Gonna get smoked in Eugene.” Granted, a short week doesn’t help, and neither does the possibility of the offense hitting Eugene without the services of Laviska Shenault (core muscle strain) and K.D. Nixon (undisclosed).
Then again, they were supquarter, posed to “get smoked” in Tempe, too.
“OK, find me three more wins.”
Dude, did you see UCLA on Saturday night?
“Fine. Find me two more.” Washington State’s defenders can’t catch a cold right now. “Two words: Khalil. Tate.” OK, so they’re going to have to try to score 64 in Pullman. Hey, if Chip Kelly could do it … “You’re reaching.”
Am I? The Pac-12 is mental. You think USC, after Notre Dame and Arizona, is going to come into Folsom on a Friday night firing on all cylinders? You don’t think Mel Tucker has had that bad boy circled for a while? “Too many athletes.” Those “athletes,” in two road games this season, are just 10 for 30 on third down and have a takeaway/giveaway margin of minus-five — six turnovers committed, one turnover forced. “Stanford’s got its mojo back.” Yeah, but the Washington also hasn’t won down on the Farm since 2007. That mojo’s got a pretty low ceiling, especially on the road. Davis Mills ain’t Khalil Tate. And even if he is, he’s also rolling with a bum left knee right now.
“Next you’re going to tell me the Huskies can be had.”
Could be dicey, on paper. But Jacob Eason can’t beat you if he’s on the sideline with a hat on. Or chucking the ball at one of your safeties.
“Speaking of, how is Mikial Onu, anyway?”
He popped or pulled something near the end of the second and it wasn’t pretty. We’ll know more by Tuesday, at the latest.
“How much would they miss him?”
Quite a bit, potentially, so hopefully, it isn’t serious. He’s been the Buffs’ defensive MVP by a country mile through the first third of the season, with four picks and two fumbles forced. The CU record for interceptions in a season is seven. Onu is on a pace for 10, if he can finish out the slate.
“This team is like him. Like Tucker. They’re in every game, do or die, swinging right to the end.”
Amen, brother. If Daniel Arias didn’t appear to lose that touchdown catch in the sun during the first half, maybe the Buffs would’ve built up enough of a cushion to weather Hurricane Khalil. If offensive coordinator Jay Johnson could’ve taken some of those red zone calls back at the start of the fourth quarter, maybe placekicker James Stefanou would’ve gotten another chance to play the hero. And if CU’s offense can clean up the silly penalties, especially at home, it can score on anybody.
“Lotta ‘ifs’ going around these days.”
Same old Buffs.