Here is part two of the Ralphie Report's Q&A session with Corn Nation about the upcoming game this Friday. This Q&A is a must read as you will find the "word association" section hilarious. In case you missed part one, here it is. Thanks to Corn Blight and Husker Mike for taking the time to do this.

How do you see next year's team shaping up minus some pretty good players like Ganz and Swift? From my count based on the rivals depth chart (who knows how accurate that is, the Huskers will be losing 12 senior starters, Buffs lose 6, 5 in my count as I don't count Patrick Williams as a big loss).

Husker Mike: Roy Helu will be solid as he's pretty much taken over at I-back already.  Menolik Holt will be a solid wide receiver, and the tight ends are improving quite a bit week by week.  Niles Paul shows signs of being a very good receiver as well.  The youngsters on the offensive line show promise as well.  On defense, we'll return Suh (hopefully), Turner, and Pierre Allen who stepped up well this season.  We went into this season with Phillip Dillard being the only linebacker with experience, so we'll be in similar shape next season, but with some help from some touted redshirt freshmen.  In the secondary, everybody except Armando Murillo returns.  And to replace Murillo, Anthony Blue should be back.  So I think NU has a chance to be solid; the big question will be at quarterback.

Corn Blight: The term "starters" should be taken with a grain of salt this season. Pelini has played a lot of guys, so many are getting experience for next season. Obviously the biggest replacement will be Joe Ganz. He knows the offense well and it will be tough for next year's starter to duplicate his achievements.

One of the big keys will be next year's offensive line. We lose some seniors this season, some who will get some press, but we may be better next year due to a heavy rotation with younger guys getting experience.

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Losses against the #11 team, #4 team, #19 team, #15 team and a #16 team in Kansas at the time should buy you an excuse. Let's face it. The Buffs deserve some benefit of the doubt with the schedule and the injuries and the youth. Yeah, I got the company line down Coach Hawkins. Like we joked in the game thread, the Buffs are #1 in "learning about life lessons," having "fun," making Hawkins "proud" and dealing with "adversity." Those teams the Buffs lost to rank much lower, definitely out of the top 25 in "learning life lessons." We got that on all of them, especially the Big 12 South! All I know is I hope the Buffs aren't ranked #1 in "having fun" next year. It's a lonely spot, no one seems to challenge us for it. "Having fun" is watching Oklahoma vs Texas Tech or Texas vs Texas Tech. It is officially becoming hard to watch Buffs games. Hard. I watched Cherry Creek H.S. upset Grandview H.S. (no allegiances, in fact I dislike Creek) and I had "fun" watching that game. They made plays, didn't catch punts inside the 10 yard line, their WR's didn't drop five or six passes and overall, they played a style of football that was "entertaining." At least the CU players are "having fun." I wish I could say that for the fans.

Yes, the Buffs covered last night, only lost by 13 and gave the impression that they were in the game. CU had chances to close the gap inside the 10 point mark but it felt more like OSU was just toying with the Buffs and less CU getting in control? I mean RB Kendall Hunter got hurt, TE Brandon Pettigrew was in and out of the game, the Pokes did CU a favor by not throwing to one of the best WR in the nation in Dez Bryant and gave the Buffs a gimme interception inside the red zone. As soon as the Buffs get down by more than 10 points versus anyone with a pulse (that negates Iowa State), the Buffs have not shown the ability to come back.

Frustration sets in when "having fun" needs to shift to making plays. Last night their were a couple of times when one unit would do something and give the Buffs some momentum and the other unit wouldn't capitalize. For example:

• The Buffs' offense is stopped on their first drive, OSU drives down the field easily but the CU defense steps up and holds Oklahoma State to three points. Momentum Buffs. The offense begins to drive past midfield, then the Buffs run a fake reverse to Patrick Williams, attempted hand off to Sumler that was fumbled by Hawkins which lost 12 yards and boom, end of drive. Momentum lost.

read about more missed opportunites after the jump...

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It has been a busy week on The Ralphie Report so far...Woodrow and I have put up a lot of information from recruiting to round tables to an exciting podcast that we did with Burnt Orange Nation. But now it is time to get down to business. All the work has been put in during the week. The film has been studied, the game plans set, the schemes understood. Most people aren't giving the Buffs a chance and the popular opinion among Texas blogs is that this Colorado team is a joke, a mediocre team who will be lucky to go to a bowl game this year. Personally,  I like the Buffs position right now. Its like Coach Hawkins said yesterday "So if you want to spend time handing out game balls 'cause you beat West Virginia or having a funeral 'cause you lost to Florida State, that's wrong. You just keep re-pooling, re-tooling, working it out." One bad game against FSU doesn't make a season and I fully expect this Buffs' team to respond against Texas in a strong manner. In either a win or loss result, I believe this team will take a step forward. One thing is for sure, Hawkins has a way to get his team motivated and ready for these types of games (look at Georgia & Texas Tech in his first year and Texas Tech & Oklahoma in his second). Now the keys to the game and The Ralphie Report's prediction! I think the keys of the game sections is the best of the year so far!

CU's Defensive Keys to the Game:

1) Texas has scored 73 of their 198 points (37%) in the second quarter this year compared to only giving up 20. On the flip side, Colorado has allowed more points in the second quarter  (40 of the 94 or 43%) than any other quarter this year. What does this mean...the Buffs need to do a better job with the in game adjustments. Watch for the second quarter points. Last week against FSU, the Buffs gave up 12 points while not putting any on the board. The Buffs were down 12 at half time and never could recover. We talk about half time adjustments being important but this week it is about making the correct in game adjustments once Texas understands the schemes CU's defense is throwing at them.

2) Texas has had 31, count'em 31 plays over 20 yards this year. The Buffs must limit the big play. Texas has good wide receivers on the outside with Shipley and Cosby. Colt McCoy is also a threat to break a big run as he has 5 for over 20 yards. Momentum is going to be a big intangible in this game and nothing quiets a crowd or deflates a team early than a big special teams, defense or offensive play.

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