Recapping the day's Buffs and college football news.
Were Pac-12 recruiting needs met? - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN - Every team had needs going into 2012 national signing day. Last week, Ted Miller looked at the needs of each team in the North Division and South Division. Here’s a look at whether those needs were met.
Colorado: If Yuri Wright can keep his thumbs in check, he’s a huge addition. He and Kenny Crawley boost a secondary sorely in need of playmakers.
BuffStampede.com - Signing Day Blitz: Ranking the Pac-12
Headliner: For all the scuttlebutt about Yuri Wright and Twitter, at the end of the day the four-star cornerback is a phenomenal player who could be a big-time steal for the Buffaloes. The U.S. Army All-American had offers from across the country and is a ball hawk and an athletic, tough corner. Wright and fellow four-star cornerback Kenneth Crawley could be a formidable duo.
Sleeper: Running back Donta Abron is a sneaky, tough, little prospect who put up big numbers against tough competition in Southern California. The Upland, Calif., recruit finished with 1,754 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in his senior season and averaged almost seven yards per carry.
Overview: Coach Jon Embree and his staff are trying to turn things around at Colorado, and this recruiting class has some pieces that could be part of that revival. Wright and Crawley are great cornerbacks, defensive ends Kisima Jagne and Samson Kafovalu, defensive tackle Justin Solis and athlete Christian Powell are all talented players. This class isn't phenomenal but it is solid.
Stanford tops Pac-12 recruiting rankings - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN - Here's how ESPN Recruiting ranks and grades the Pac-12 -- the number to the left is national ranking. 12. Stanford: B+ 13. USC: B+ 18. Oregon: B 19. UCLA: B- 22. California: B- 23. Washington: B- Colorado: B- Arizona State: C+ Oregon State: C+ Utah: C+ Washington State: C Arizona: C
CU Buffs' McGhee delivers on recruiting trail - Buffzone
"He was huge. I always felt like he was a star in the making, not just from a recruiting standpoint but as a coach," Embree said. CU's head coach said McGhee was the program's go-to guy with several key situations. He said McGhee was an integral part of landing three prospects from Woodson High School in Washington D.C., three prospects from Upland High School in Upland, Calif., and twin brothers Sean and Jeromy Irwin from Cypress, Texas.
CU Buffs' Eric Bieniemy excited for new crop of backs - Buffzone
"Getting them a complete understanding of what we want, how we do things, how we call it and learning the language," Bieniemy said. "That's going to be the challenge. One thing I always tell kids is it's not about what you can do when you have the ball in your hands, it's what you can do when the ball is not in your hands. That's the fastest way to get you on the field. All these kids can run the ball, but can they understand our protections? Do they have the attitude and the mindset to block on a consistent level? Those are the things that I look for."
Brooks: Buffs Apply Brakes To High-Scoring Beavers - CUBuffs.com - Official Athletics Web site of the University of Colorado - B.G Brooks' take on last night's victory.
Andre Roberson has been a valuable scorer for Colorado. The Buffaloes sophomore forward also has proved his worth as an aggressive Pac-12 rebounder. "He is simply amazing in both aspects of his game," Colorado coach Tad Boyle said of Roberson, who averages 11.1 points and 11 rebounds. "What’s even more amazing is his rebound-per-minute ratio." Roberson had 16 points and 15 rebounds as Colorado remained unbeaten at home in Pac-12 play with an 82-60 victory over Oregon State on Thursday night. "I do what I can to help the team," said Roberson, who was 6-for-10 shooting.
Buff Golfers Slip Five Spots In Standings - CUBuffs.com - Official Athletics Web site of the University of Colorado - The CU men's golf team slipped five spots into 19th place after two rounds of the 22nd Annual Amer Ari Invitational, the second 18 holes being completed Thursday on Hawaii's Big Island.
A look around the Pac-12...
Kyle Whittingham goes young for OC - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
When Utah coach Kyle Whittingham tapped Norm Chow as his offensive coordinator last year, he got a celebrated, experienced veteran. With Chow off to the islands as Hawaii's new head coach, Whittingham is going with youth, energy and potential this go-around. Whittingham has promoted has promoted Brian Johnson from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. Johnson, who will turn 25 on Feb. 16, has been the Utes quarterbacks coach for just a year.
Pac-12 Confidential | What to watch for in the Pac-12 second half | Seattle Times Newspaper
The apparent grossest misjudgment was Colorado, although the Buffs still haven't proven they can win on the road. Still, the poorer teams in the league are so vulnerable at home, CU could carve out an 11-7 or 12-6 record.
Huskies' rally tops Bruins - The Denver Post - Washington came back to beat UCLA, but Arizona pulled off the road upset of California.