Thursday CU Football Buff Bites - Rocky Mountain Showdown Looms, Weaves

Recapping Colorado Buffaloes Football and Rocky Mountain Showdown News, Links, and Stories

Will Oliver gives pressure the boot for CU Buffs - Buffzone

Will Oliver is ready to deliver a walk-off field goal at Sports Authority Field if the Rocky Mountain Showdown requires one. "(Special teams coach J.D.) Brookhart just came up to me and said, 'Let me know what your range is going both ways,'" Oliver said.

"So I kicked both ways (in warm ups). I was hitting 57, 58 from one way, and 52 or so from the other. Obviously, they took that with a grain of salt and made their own judgements. But I was glad to get an opportunity."

Split the uprights from 32 yards out with 30 seconds left in regulation to tie the score 30-30. "I went out there with the same mentality. It was kind of weird actually," Oliver said. "I wasn't expecting to, but I was able to go out there and treat it just like every other kick. When I hit it, I was all smiles. I was enjoying it."

Yes. This above all else. Improvement starts with people who want to fight and win. Love it.

"T.I.P.S." for Saturday " CU At the Game - A CU Football blog by Stuart Whitehair

Talent, Intangibles, Preparation/Schedule, Statistics favor Buffs for first time in 2011

Talent - For the first time in his four seasons as head coach of the Colorado State Rams, Steve Fairchild has a returning starter at quarterback. Pete Thomas was the only freshman quarterback in the nation to start every game last season. He got off to a rough start against Colorado, completing 24-of-33 passes for 196 yards, throwing three interceptions in a 24-3 loss...

In the first two games of the 2011 season, Thomas has thrown for over 500 yards, with a completion percentage of 73.5% in Ram victories over New Mexico (14-10) and Northern Colorado (33-14)... 

Intangibles - That being said, there is one significant disadvantage that the Rams have in playing the Buffs on September 17th. The element of surprise. Since the series was resumed in 1983, Colorado has almost a 2-to-1 edge in victories when the game is the season opener (11-6). When the game is not played as the season opener, however, Colorado’s winning percentage goes up significantly. The Buffs have won seven-of-eight such contests...

I sure hope we have twice as many people at Mile High than CSU. That would be tremendous.

Pac-12 predictions: Week 3 - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN

Colorado 30, Colorado State 21: The Buffaloes will get the win because they'll finally get running back Rodney Stewart going, even with a beaten up offensive line.

Confused why Embree's picture is not happy at our non-kicking special teams? The Buffs may or may not be 120th in a certain category concerning field position. Jump to find out!

What to watch in the Pac-12: Week 3 - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN

Ten issues to consider heading into the third week of games.

6. Rodney Stewart gets going: Colorado ranks 114th in the nation in rushing even though it has an A-list running back in Stewart. While the passing game has been impressive, coach Jon Embree is not the sort to abandon the run and surrender balance. Colorado State gave up 150 yards rushing to New Mexico. You'd think the Buffs can at least match that, even with a injury-riddled offensive line. And if Stewart gets going, that will open up chances for quarterback Tyler Hansen to find wide receiver Paul Richardson over the top.  

Opponent Watch: Ohio State Buckeyes' Nathan Williams (knee) out vs. Miami Hurricanes - ESPN

Ohio State starting defensive end Nathan Williams will miss his second consecutive game and possibly more time after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday.

Big 12 schools face economic impact of shuffling - ESPN

"Who can you trust now? It's so unfortunate that it has come to this. Everyone is working independently. No one is being straight with anyone anymore." -- A source with knowledge of the Big 12's situation

RINGO: Pac-12 loaded with top receivers - Buffzone

There is still a ton of football to be played this fall, but its already clear choosing the top two or three wide receivers for the All Pac-12 team at the end of the season is going to be a chore.

USC wide receiver Robert Woods and Arizona wideout Juron Criner are considered the cream of the crop, but Richardson, Stanford's Chris Owusu, Utah's DeVonte Christopher and Cal's Keenan Allen are hot on their heels.

Special teams not so special for CU Buffs - Buffzone

How did Cals defense have enough oxygen to stop the Buffs in overtime? During Colorados 36-33 loss last Saturday at Folsom Field, Tyler Hansen guided the offense on scoring drives of 50, 46, 80, 86, 78 and 70 yards. That doesn't include the opening drive of the game when CU had the ball for 13 plays and was stopped on downs after marching 66 yards.

Through two games, CU ranks 120th among FBS teams in kickoff returns with a head-scratching average of 12.0 yards per return. "Our kickoff return has been nowhere close to what I'm used to. That has been really disappointing," special teams coach J.D. Brookhart said. "There has been a multitude of errors that we've got to get right. Everything from the returners dropping balls to the blocking up front. We're going to keep trying to get it right."

Tony Jones (16.0 ypr), Toney Clemons (14.0), Brian Lockridge (12.8), Arthur Jaffe (10.5) and Evan Harrington (6.0) have all handled at least one kickoff this season.

Richardson and Schroeder Earn Athlete Of The Week Honors - CUBuffs.com

Wide receiver Paul Richardson (football) and outside hitter Kerra Schroeder (volleyball) gave Buff fans something to talk about with their exceptional performances. The two athletes commanded attention for their play and were named CU Athletes of the Week for September 5-11.

Way to Go, Buffs!