Stories about Colorado
What’s Scary About Colorado? 5 comments
What's scary about Colorado is what's always been scary. They hate Nebraska. They circle their game with the Huskers as being the most important on their schedule, even if Nebraska doesn't grant them the same respect. They can't claim the upper hand in the long history of the series or even the most recent history, so going out with a win would mean everything to their fans and their in-state players. They're also in a desperate position. They need to win now for their head coach. Since his son is on the team, that means that they'll probably want to play for him. And the game against Nebraska just might be for bowl eligibility. Meanwhile, it's conceivable that the Huskers may have already locked up the division when the teams meet.
Colorado Post-Mortem 8 comments
Every year, the Huskers face a Colorado team that is ready to play Nebraska to the best of their abilities no matter what shape or situation each team is in. This year was no different. I don't know whether the Buffs caught Nebraska battling a short week of preparation, a long season, or looking ahead to the title game, but they were ready for the Huskers, and we looked barely ready to answer the call. But like many of our games this season, the Huskers: didn't make too many mistakes on offense, did bend but not break on defense, didn't give up too many big plays, did get some help from special teams in field position, did get a score from special teams, and did get some help from defense on the scoreboard. It's a winning combination no matter who we seem to play.
Special Teams Give NU Jump Start 6 comments
Superior field position is never a bad thing. Against the Buffaloes, it seemed to be everything. The Huskers pinned Colorado deep for most of the first half. This helped set up a 59-yard punt return touchdown by Niles Paul and a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Cotton. After Nebraska missed a long field goal attempt (giving Colorado good field position), the Buffs closed the gap to 14-7. When a dropped pass by Niles Paul killed an NU drive a good punt by Alex Henery pinned the Buffs deep again which set up a 20-yard Matt O'Hanlon interception return for a touchdown to give Nebraska a 21-7 halftime lead.
Will Hawkins be Spared? 2 comments
Apparently, Chris Fowler isn't the authority on who will or won't be coaching Colorado next year. Reports are now that Dan Hawkins will return in 2010, which is very much in line with the reports that the buyout is just too expensive for the Buffaloes. This rumor might give a big lift to the CU players, who had to be wondering about the future for them and their coach.
Should Nebraska Empty the Chamber on Colorado? 5 comments
There's no question that Nebraska wants to win their final game of the regular season, but there is some doubt about the lengths you'd go to get a victory over Colorado given that there's a matchup with Texas looming for the conference championship. In 2006, Nebraska seemingly ran every trick play in the book against the Buffaloes in a 37-14 rout. That was second-guessed a bit as Nebraska then lost the Big 12 championship game to Oklahoma and the Cotton Bowl to Auburn. In particular, a fake punt against CU failed when it was run against the Tigers in Dallas. So how much should Nebraska show against Colorado?
A Test of Character 8 comments
This past weekend was a test of mettle, to see which team would have what it took to clinch the Big 12 North. There was a lot at stake for each team and we saw hard-hitting battle where ultimately Nebraska prevailed. On Friday, the stakes won't be nearly so high for either team. Yes, the Colorado seniors will want to go out winners in their final game, but there's no other reward available to them. Sure, Nebraska can fall out of the coaches' poll with a loss, but they can still become conference champions and play in a BCS bowl with a win against Texas in the Big 12 title game. Instead, this week we'll witness a test of character for both squads.
Inconclusive Evidence: Buffs tee off, New tags for the truck, & Paulus leaves 8 comments
As a Cornhusker fan--and a huge fan of college football in general--I'm constantly coming down with cases of rivalry envy. It's most difficult in November when Pitt and West Virginia are brawling, Georgia and Georgia Tech are clean, old-fashioned hating, and Arizona and Arizona State are desert dueling.
Around that time of year, Nebraska makes due with Colorado. Bill McCartney made the annual game against the Huskers his program's "red letter game" and the Big 12 made it an annual post-Thanksgiving affair but that only seemed to heighten Nebraskan's awareness that Colorado, even when they're better than NU, still isn't Oklahoma. It's not about competitiveness, it's about history and the history simply isn't as strong with the Buffs as it is with the Sooners.
Yesterday's news out of the Colorado National Golf Club, however, was a step in the right direction.
Why I Love This Series 19 comments
Husker fans disagree about whether or not Colorado is worthy of being called Nebraska's rival. Regardless, it's been one heck of an exciting series. Once again the two teams delivered a nail-biting, probability-defying gem that will be remembered by fans for a long time.
Silly Buffs, Cupcakes Are For Contenders 16 comments
Quite frankly, I'm afraid of Colorado.
Next year.
Next year, I will be very wary of the Buffs.
This year's edition will probably be very good but next year's squad could be thunderous.
Colorado Breakdown: On the Hunt 0 comments
Of all the teams in the Big 12 North, the Buffaloes are the biggest question mark. Beating then number 3 Oklahoma shocked the country, and was the only reason that the Sooners did not play for a national championship. But barely making a 6-6 record only to lose in the Independence Bowl is not very "statement-making." The only way they can get a better record this season is by beating 3 out of 4 non-conference teams and 2 out of 4 conference road teams. If it happens, they deserve any praise that they can receive.
2008 Opponent Previews: Colorado 0 comments
The Buffaloes saved their 2007 season with a win over Nebraska to become bowl eligible. They might find themselves needing to do the same thing in 2008.
Huskerkill: Kordell Stewart 8 comments
Not long ago, the Big Red Network ran a series on Husker Killers – opposing players that killed Nebraska. In the spirit of equal time for the Scarlet and Cream, we now present Huskerkill – players that got ran over by Nebraska.
Big 12 Recruiting Roundup: Colorado 4 comments
If the recruiting rankings are any indication of what the future holds, the Buffaloes might be getting good enough for Husker fans to start hating again (did we ever stop?). Arguably the biggest prize by any Big 12 school on signing day went to CU. Running back Darrell Scott of California, rated as the top running back prospect in the country chose to go to Boulder. Another five-star prospect headed to Colorado is Utah linebacker Lynn Katoa.
Big 12 State of the Union: Colorado 7 comments
While the season finale against Nebraska seemed like a merciful end to the season for the Huskers, it may have been a vital turning point for the Buffaloes. After a 2-10 season in 2006 Colorado needed progress in 2007 and a 5-7 season might have been too little to keep things moving forward in Boulder.
Colorado Game Thoughts…Seriously 10 comments
Following Nebraska's season-ending loss to Colorado, I didn't offer any post-game reaction. There wasn't much of a point, since all of the attention was on the coaching being fired the next morning. But, I just finished re-watching parts of the CU game. (I know...I have an illness.) But, seriously, there were a few things from that game worth noting - gimmick uniforms, the read option out of the spread formation, and our crappy defense.
Buffs Euthanize Huskers’ Season 11 comments
The 2007 season has been one that most Husker fans would like to forget. Colorado made that a little easier by putting an end to it before it could be prolonged with an appearance in a bottom-tier bowl game.
Lucky’s Last Day? 9 comments
For the Husker Seniors, the game at Colorado could be their last. The same could be said of the coaching staff. But for one junior, it could also be the last time we see him play. While Marlon Lucky perhaps hasn't lived up to the huge expectations fans had of the five-star recruit, he has put together the most productive season from scrimmage since Ahman Green. And that's saying something.
Trick Plays Should Be on Friday’s Menu 4 comments
One of West Coast Offense guru Bill Walsh's stated beliefs (which he credits to Paul Brown) was that when it came to trick plays, you want to run yours before your opponent. Not only are you more likely to catch them by surprise, but often it will make them reluctanct to run theirs. Last year, against Colorado, the Huskers ran their trick plays early and often. The 37-14 victory was an in-your-face display of trickery by head coach Bill Callahan that seemed almost cruel (given the season the Buffaloes were having).
Who Wants to Go Bowling? 15 comments
When Nebraska and Colorado face off on Friday, a bowl game is at stake. The loser will be home for the holidays, while the winner gets to travel to Arizona, Louisiana or Texas. Granted, NU-CU has been designated at "rivalry game" by the powers that be at the Big 12 (I still hate it...but that's a different post entirely). So, the game tends to be heated and competitive, regardless of the stakes. But, I have to ask - is the possibility of a 6-6 record and a bowl bid actually a motivating factor for those involved? Let's consider this from a variety of angles.
Buffalo for Thanksgiving? 8 comments
At 32, I am just old enough to be included in the group of fans who were raised in the era when the day after Thanksgiving meant Huskers vs. Sooners. Sadly, folks my age are the last of the kind. We are now in the 12th year of the Big 12 conference. And, the powers that be in our little Texas-run conference did away with Husker-Sooners on Thanksgiving, and replace my turkey and stuffing sandwich with buffalo.
Husker Visit to Colorado a No-Lose Proposition 15 comments
Nebraska's visit to Colorado carries some stakes. The winner becomes bowl-eligible (and most prognosticators believe the winner will receive a bowl invitation) and the loser stays home. Yet, with all of the drama surrounding the future of Husker football, Nebraska stands to gain whether they win or lose to the Buffaloes.
Huskers and Buffs May Be a Pick ‘Em Contest 16 comments
If you look at the Sagarin predictor ratings for Nebraska and Colorado heading into the bye before their meeting in the regular season finale, you see less than a point separates the two teams. The computers would say CU is a 3 point favorite, almost entirely by virtue of the home-field advantage. The game is not without some very real stakes. The winner will be bowl-eligible and the loser will be 5-7.
He?! Of a Series 27 comments
A few months back, Sports Illustrated's Rick Reilly detailed his idea of what a day from hell would be. In addition to some time spooning with Chris Berman for the Colorado alum, it included him writing up Nebraska's greatest victories.
To spare Rick this assignment, I thought I'd go ahead and go to the trouble of presenting some of Nebraska's great victories over his alma mater.
2007 Opponent Preview…Colorado 8 comments
There's no doubt that Colorado will improve in 2007. The question is, how much. Last year, Bernard Jackson completed fewer than half his passes and the Buffalo offense finished dead last in the Big 12. Their defense played admirably as they finished sixth in the conference in points allowed.
Photos & Videos from Colorado - Nebraska 7 comments
I was lucky enough to witness the Huskers' win over Colorado in person. Here are some photos and videos from my game day experience.
CU's equipment truck
No Wonder They Hate Us 3 comments
Put yourselves in the shoes of a CU fan Friday. You're on the road in a series in which the road team has won four straight. After surrendering a touchdown on your opponents opening drive, you gut out a drive that includes overcoming a first and 30 down and distance situation. After forcing a turnover and missing a long field goal and then holding a potent Husker offense to three and out on another, you have them settling for a long field goal attempt of their own. What happens? An NU fake that gives the Huskers seven points on a pass to the defensive end. Ouch.
Last Chance to Give Recruits “Home Game� Experience 0 comments
Few stadiums in the country can provide the kind of game-day experience that Memorial Stadium provides. Especially against a 2-9 opponent like Colorado. With some early home games this year making it hard for recruits to make the trip to Lincoln, today's game provides perhaps the last best chance to “wow� recruits with what it's like to play at Nebraska.
Weather forecast for Colorado vs. Nebraska 0 comments
Rumor has it that after the Pilgrim's first Thanksgiving feast, they wore off calories by playing a game of touch football. While the score has been lost over the years, the tradition has not. Turkey and Football are as common a pair as mashed potatoes and gravy, peanut butter and jelly, and my golf game and duck hooks.
So as you polish off your leftover cold turkey sandwich and trek downtown to watch the match up against the not-so-friendly Buffaloes from Boulder, what kind of weather can you expect?
Game Day Pocket Guide for Colorado 0 comments
Be sure to get your Game Day Pocket Guide for this week's game against Colorado. You never know when you'll need to shield yourself from trash throwing CU fans. And the Pocket Guide makes a great shield!
You can also use it to remind them of last year's 30-3 thrashing or the fact that they are 2-9 this year and have the 102nd best offense in the country.
But please, whatever you do, don't throw your Pocket Guide onto the field. Oh wait. I don't have to tell you that. You're a Nebraska fan!
Schedule, Loathing and History Make CU a Rival 7 comments
The notion of Colorado as a legit rival to Nebraska is a very intriguing subject. Some Husker fans flat out refuse to acknowledge it. Others think it is pretty obvious. At BRN, we are more in the camp that CU is a rival to NU. The reasons for this range from those dictated to us by the schedule maker, to the obvious animosity between the two schools and fan bases, and finally those born from more poignant and personal moments as a Husker fan.
Sizing Up Colorado 0 comments
When you look at the season the Buffaloes have had, you see a team that frequently comes up short. Four of their losses are by less than a touchdown. Scanning the depth chart, it's the same story. They come up a bit short.
Is CU the Best Two Win Team in the Country? 3 comments
Let's face it. Facing a two-win team at this point in the season is about as exciting as a rematch with Nicholls State. But history has shown that Colorado doesn't have to have a good team to give the Huskers trouble. In 1986, the third-ranked Huskers headed to Boulder to face a 2-4 Buffalo team and lost 20-10. Of course, that Colorado team went on to win three of four to earn an invite to the Bluebonnet Bowl. The 2000 CU squad came to Lincoln for the season finale with only three wins on its resume, and yet the Huskers needed a miraculous field goal drive to stave off the upset.
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover 0 comments
Preview Colorado
Take a peek at the University of Colorado's media guide. The cover captures a mountain in the background as you look into their football stadium. Then you see former coaches Eddie Crowder, Bill McCartney, and current coach Dan Hawkins standing in the bleachers. I shouldn't say it, but you couldn't find three less photogenic people to put on that cover. It made me believe that if this is what they are churning out for PR, then their recruiting difficulties are probably far from over.