Sorry the site has been a little slow this past week. Something about the combination of the Colorado Buffaloes being 3 - 7 and working 12 hours a day has killed the creative juices until this point in the week. The game thread will be live tonight at 5:30 pm in time for kickoff.
Here is what is going on around the web:
Woelk: Time for Buffs to play like they have nothing to lose - Boulder Daily Camera
Rather, what the Buffs must accomplish tonight is simple: prove to themselves -- not to their fans, not the media, not the nation -- that they can go on the road and play a competitive game against a Big 12 foe.
Paige: Shanahan to CU is fun banter, but not reality - The Denver Post
A high-ranking official at CU, who would not be named, asked me: "You know Shana- han well. Would he come to CU?" I think: Shanahan wouldn't go to CU, he much prefers the NFL, and CU won't pursue him. I also believe Hawkins will be given one more season. But, if Shanahan did coach the Buffaloes instead of Buffalo, he would be elected to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame twice.
About That Colorado Job - Inside USC with Scott Wolf
Quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates would not respond to that previously posted Internet report that said he could be a candidate at Colorado if Dan Hawkins is fired. ``I've learned being a coach's son you can't look ahead,'' Bates said. Colorado is currently 86th in the nation on third-down conversions but that is superior to USC's 100th.
Behind Enemy Lines: Colorado | OSU Cowboys Sports Blog
Brandon Chatmon: It appears Hawkins in on the hot seat. How hot is it?
Tom Kensler: Scalding. At this point, the feeling is that Colorado could win big over Oklahoma State (unlikely) and Nebraska, and that still might not be enough to save Hawkins’ job. The momentum against him seems irreversible.
Boise State fans should be pulling for Hawkins, Colorado on Thursday | Voices.IdahoStatesman.com
Oklahoma State could be the biggest obstacle to Boise State getting selected for a BCS game. The Cowboys have made just one appearance in the Fiesta Bowl, a 16-6 victory against BYU in 1974 so their fans are no doubt itching to get to a BCS game.
Robinson's backup getting reps at Oklahoma State practices - Sporting News
While there has been no official announcement about whether QB Zac Robinson will play in Saturday night's home finale against Colorado, reports have surfaced that Alex Cate has been taking most of the snaps in the Cowboys' closed practices. Robinson was knocked out of Saturday's game against Texas Tech by a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit from cornerback Jamar Wall, In addition to a suspected concussion, sources have told The Oklahoman that Robinson also is dealing with a sore throwing shoulder
Brooks: Buffs Say Focus Where It Should Be - CUBuffs.com
Dan Hawkins continues to say he has enough administrative support to return as head coach in 2010. His players continue to say they back him. "I'm with him," sophomore receiver Markques Simas said. "He and coach (Eric) Kiesau are the reasons I came to Colorado."
Buffs: Plenty of motivation - The Longmont Times-Call
"I’m playing for myself right now," said cornerback Jalil Brown, who’ll be a fifth-year senior next year. "Well, the team as well, but I look at it like I’m an athlete and I came to college to play football. "I’m trying to keep that (the coaches’ futures) in the background. I’m not trying to focus on that; that won’t help at all. We won’t know about that until after the season is over."
much more after the jump
What to watch for in the Big 12, Week 12 - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN
Colorado responds to its role as a spoiler: The Buffaloes are the only Big 12 team without any bowl hopes heading into this week's games. Dan Hawkins predicted before the season that his team would "win 10 games with no excuses." That dream has long been dashed, but can the Buffaloes ruin Oklahoma State’s BCS at-large hopes before a national television audience? In order to do so, they will have to play their best game of the season.
Weekend Forecast: Title chase takes backstage to rivalry games - USATODAY.com
No. 13 Oklahoma State vs. Colorado, 7:30 p.m. (Thursday) Zac Robinson's uncertain status leaves the Cowboys potentially inexperienced at quarterback. Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins will take any advantage as he can while he fights to save his job. Oklahoma State 26, Colorado 16.
‘09 CU signee Moten coming aboard | All Things Colorado Sports
Good news for whoever the Colorado football coach is next season. Josh Moten, a 6-foot, 180-pound quarterback and member of Colorado’s 2009 recruiting class, told Scout.com that he finally has been accepted by the CU admissions office and expects to enroll for the spring semester. Moten starred in 2008 at Narbonne High School in Harbor City, Calif., but failed to gain admittance, reportedly over questions about his college entrance exam.
Colorado men's basketball team must get better on glass - Boulder Daily Camera
Colorado struggled with its interior defense and was out-rebounded 32-25 by Texas Southern during an otherwise impressive 88-77 victory at the Coors Events Center. "We`ve just got to rebound the basketball. We`ve got to rebound the ball so we can get out in the open court," Buffs coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "We`re playing a dangerous game right now just trying to outscore people. We have to get some stops and rebound the basketball. We have to get better in those areas."
CU hoops 3-0 after win over Texas Southern - The Longmont Times-Call
Buffs don't feel heat that falls on Hawkins - The Denver Post
In an effort to reduce penalties tonight in Colorado's Big 12 game at No. 12 Oklahoma State, CU coach Dan Hawkins had some members of the program's operations staff wear striped shirts during practices this week. Yes, they threw flags. "I think it helped," Tyler Hansen said. "But it's funny, too. They'll throw a flag and we'll say, 'What? Are you kidding me?' But then coach Hawkins makes us pay for it by making us do up-downs or run."
Getting off the fence: Time for Hawkins to go | INDenverTimes
All necessary evils for the sake of the future. Keeping Hawkins just one more year would bolster the perception of CU football that is beginning to take hold nationally: These guys are cheap, ignorant or both. Human issues aside, the performance is just not there. A warm and loving 16-31 (Hawkins’ overall record) is still 16-31.
Brooks: Patience (And More) Link Simas, Clemons - CUBuffs.com
Markques Simas has learned the value of patience; Toney Clemons still is discovering it. There will come a time - spring practice first, then August camp, then the 2010 season - when they will be in the same huddle.
Buffs QB Hansen gets an eyeful of big hit on OSU's Robinson - The Denver Post
3. Can the Buffs avoid costly penalties? Colorado is battling Big 12 colleague Texas Tech for last among the 120 major-college teams in most penalties. But at least Texas Tech, with a 6-4 record, can overcome some of them. When CU shoots itself in the foot, it needs a wheelchair.
Tulsa World: OSU football: Class act
OSU seniors, combining for 407 career starts, savor unprecedented success
Colorado says credit fraud behind hundreds of football ticket sales - KDVR
University of Colorado police say stolen credit card numbers were used to buy more than 110 tickets to the Buffaloes' season opener.