So I have slept a little bit after last night's post but the disappointment has not gone away. I have been reading a lot of message boards this morning and there are those fans who are calling for everyone to chill out to those fans that are callling out the offensive line. I call out the coaches. The offensive play calling is not aiding the lineman at all.

Read the report card after the jump...

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I promised you yesterday that I would analyze CU and EWU's plays on first down and show you how many times the Buffs went backwards. Not one or two yard gains but backwards. Yesterday, I estimated on 8 first down opportunities that we had negative yards due to penalty or poor execution. Well, the total was 9. EWU had 4 total plays that they went backwards on. Here is a chart that I put together showing the first down plays and the associated yards gained.

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I don't know how to start this. I was walking out of the game saying, "At least I don't have to write about a loss to a FCS school." I was quickly reminded by a friend that I will have to write about why we almost lost to a team that plays in the Big Sky. He was right, I was mad. First off, let me say that EWU was good and they should have won. They were better than CSU and if they stop Josh Smith from being the one man wrecking crew on special teams, they would have won. I actually felt bad for EWU's quarterback when he threw the INT that cost them the game. He played too well to have that happen. I am glad this game wasn't televised. I am still pretty hot since I just got home from the game so if this comes off a little rough, I will sleep on it and probably restate some things. Maybe not. Maybe we do have problems. Maybe we are too young to try and run an offense that we are not equipped to run. I have got a lot to say but I will try and microwave it for you as best as possible but this will probably be long. My main problem right now is coaching. We aren't putting guys in a position to win and be successful.

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          VS.      

Colorado Buffaloes (1-0, 0-0) vs Eastern Washington (0-1, 0-0)

September 6th, 2008 1:30pm

Radio - 850 KOA / TV - None

So we have detailed the Eastern Washington Eagle Offense and Defense. We all know the implications of this game and how it is important for the Buffs to have a solid performance and not let this team hang around like Texas Tech did a week ago. The Eagles have enough playmakers to challenge the Buffs cornerbacks but I expect the defensive line to get pressure on the quarterback. The linebackers should be able to roam free with EWU looking to pass as their first, second and third choice with a weak rushing performance last week. As I said in the offensive preview, the Buffs have too much size and talent to not have an explosive day. If the Buffs don't put up 40+, this game will be close. I will be at the game so I will try to keep you as updated as possible. Woodrow will be running the live game thread from home tomorrow so stop by and discuss the game like last week.

Here we go...

CU's Keys to the Game (and what EWU should try to do to pull an upset)

1. Punish the Eagles Early and Often - The offensive and defensive line have a big size advantage in this game. The Buffs should not attempt to get in a shoot out with these guys. Pound the ball on offense and on defense, get after the quarterback. That is the quickest way to deter any production.
2. Make EWU Even More One Dimensional - the CU offense needs to jump out to a lead and the defense needs to frustrate the Eagles early. If the Buffs can eliminate the running attack like Tech did last week, EWU becomes very predictable.
   
3. Clean It Up - No turnovers, limit the penalties and fix the shotgun snap. Don't give the Eagles second and third chances. They are capable on offense to pull the upset if we drop them 3 or 4 turnovers or have 18 penalties for 169 yards like Tech did last week.
   
4. Let the Playmaker's Play - I used this last week and will continue to use it. We saw in the CSU game that we have some playmakers. Keep feeding the ball to Josh Smith, Scotty McKnight, Rodney Stewart and Darrell Scott. Big things happened when these four got the ball last week.
5. Play with a Chip On Your Shoulder - Avenge for Montana State, the corner backs can prove that people should no longer question them, prove this is a new team. The Buffs have the built in incentive to come out and be motivated. Good teams come to play every week. We will find out how mature this time is this week.

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          VS.      

 (1 - 0, 0 - 0)                                                         (0 - 1, 0 - 0)

    Last Week: W CSU 38 - 17                         Last Week: L Texas Tech 24 - 49

I admit it, I have been influenced. Whether it is the pain of losing to Montana State in 2006, the #7 FCS ranking or how competitive the "score" was in the Texas Tech game, I am not overlooking this game. I imagine the players and coaches have the same, if not more, attention to the upcoming opponent. This should be an advantage in that the Buffs know what it feels like to lose to an FCS school with many of the players on this team there that day MSU beat CU in Boulder. The Buffs also have a bye week next before West Virginia so there is no excuse to be looking forward. But is Eastern Washington a team to worry about? Was the 35-24 score last week in the fourth quarter something to fear? Let's find out.

EASTERN WASHINGTON DEFENSE v. COLORADO OFFENSE

I classify last week's game against Texas Tech as a head scratcher to try and evaluate. There is a ying and a yang to the entire story especially on offense. On defense, EWU had to deal with Graham Harrell and that prolific offense. They actually did a good job on Michael Crabtree, holding him to under a 100 yards which is a rare event. That being said, they gave up 636 yards to Texas Tech, 103 on the ground and 533 through the air. Yes, how was this game not 70 - 7. Well that is what throwing the ball does to you especially with two teams that like to air it out. It keeps everyone in the game and with a lot of chances to score. The Buffs and Rams ran 129 plays last week in which CU showcased a no-huddle up tempo offense. Well, maybe not that up tempo in when looking at EWU and Texas Tech. In comparison, the Red Raiders and Eagles last week ran 168 plays (EWU - 85, TT - 83) with only 47 rushing attempts. These are astounding numbers. Tech averaged 7.7 yards/play against the Eagles' defense. We were pretty happy as Buffs fans with the offensive performance which yielded 5.6 yards/play. The Buffs aren't going to want to get into a shoot out with these guys. The starting front four on the Eagles' defensive line are 245lbs, 255lbs and the two interior guys at 275lbs. Clearly, the Buffs have a big size advantage here as they don't have a starter under 295lbs. EWU does have defensive line experience with three seniors but I'll take size over FCS experience any day of the week.

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The news has taken it's toll on me. A mention here, a jab there...it's every where I look. It will be gone after this week if the Buffs get through it and we won't hear about it until week 2 or 3 in some future year. Instead of celebrating the Buffs being 1 - 0 with a convincing win over intra-state rival Colorado State, I am reminded of a two letter word that will send chills down every single Buffs' fan spine. This is a cloud that hangs over this program. Is it bigger than the sex, drugs, party scandal of the Gary Barnett era? I am beginning to think so. Is it worse than the 5th down game at Missouri? Most definitely. This phrase has even replaced the words "Rick Neuheisel." Go onto any CU Buffs site and you will hear trash talk about Gary Barnett, about Slick Rick and the Cornhuskers but  this is seldom mentioned... it's the day no one wants to remember and in my opinion, one of the biggest gaffs in Colorado Football History.

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