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Colorado Daily – Utah
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November 17th – Game Day!
… CU in a few minutes …
Jay MacIntyre: “I’ve put in a lot here. My dad has put in a lot. My family has put in a lot”
From the Daily Camera … This isn’t the way Jay MacIntyre pictured the end of his Colorado football career, battered and limping to the finish line alongside teammates mired in what could be a program-changing losing streak.
And it certainly isn’t the way his father, embattled head coach Mike MacIntyre, pictured his final home game alongside his son, deflecting rumors of his pending demise as CU’s leader to focus on sending his seniors out with a win that will land the Buffs a bowl bid.
Nevertheless, such is the state of things for the MacIntyre family heading into CU’s home finale Saturday against Utah (11:30 a.m., Pac-12 Network). While the elder MacIntyre undoubtedly is reserving heaps of praise for all the seniors set to be honored before kickoff, it also undoubtedly will be more than just another game for father and son.
… Continue reading story here …
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November 16th
… CU in a few minutes …
Captain Rick Gamboa: “We don’t want to leave here knowing we didn’t make the bowl game”
From CUBuffs.com … No doubt, the landscape has changed dramatically for the Colorado Buffaloes over the last five weeks.
A Buffs team that once boasted a 5-0 record, a top-20 ranking and legitimate hopes of a Pac-12 South title has lost five in a row. Dreams of a division title faded weeks ago, as did any hint of an appearance in the national polls.
But one thing hasn’t changed since that 5-0 start: Mike MacIntyre‘s Buffs (5-5 overall, 2-5 Pac-12) still need just one more win to become bowl eligible. That is something they can accomplish Saturday, when they play host to Utah (7-3, 5-3) in their 11:30 a.m. home finale at Folsom Field.
Saturday’s game will mark Senior Day, when 19 Buffs will make their last gameday appearance as part of the team on their home turf. It will also be the 500th CU game at Folsom Field, a historic moment in a stadium that has had its fair share of big moments over the years. Cold weather and snow showers are in the forecast.
The 2018 Buffs would love to leave their own footnote in that historic ledger by ending the five-game skid, sending their seniors out on a high note and making Colorado bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons — and just the second time since 2007.
“Our goal is we want to make the bowl game,” said senior linebacker and team captain Rick Gamboa. “We don’t want to leave here knowing we didn’t make the bowl game and knowing we only made one bowl game our whole time here. I know the seniors and the rest of the team, we all want to win these last two. We want to give it all we’ve got and secure a bowl game and make sure we have a 13th game. All we can control is the next two games we have.”
… Continue reading story here …
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CU seniors have taken different paths to their Folsom Field finale
From the Daily Camera … From 2014-17, Travon McMillian went through the grind of the college football season with his teammates at Virginia Tech.
A native of Woodbridge, Va., McMillian was one of the top players on offense for the Hokies the past few years, and figured his senior day would be celebrated at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg next week.
Life’s path, however, has led him to Boulder this fall, and on Saturday he will be one of 20 seniors on the Colorado football team playing their final game at Folsom Field as the Buffs (5-5, 2-5 Pac-12) take on No. 21 Utah (7-3, 5-3).
“It feels really weird,” said McMillian, who leads the Buffs with 910 rushing yards. “It doesn’t feel like it’s going to be my last go-round.”
… Defensive linemen Javier Edwards and Chris Mulumba, receiver Kabion Ento and safety Kyle Trego also started their careers in junior colleges before coming to CU.
“There’s all different journeys for guys for college,” CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “Everybody has a different story. It’s always unique as you mesh a team together and then different guys get to know each other. It makes it pretty special.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Folsom 500 – A Look Back at CU/Nebraska, 2001 – 62-36
… Related … “No. 14 Colorado 62, No. 2 Nebraska 36 … The score says it all” … from cuatthegame.com
From CUBuffs.com … On a brisk November day in 2001, the University of Colorado Buffaloes took Folsom field to face their rival Nebraska Cornhuskers. Fans donning CU black and gold swarmed into the stadium and took their seats, not that they would stay sitting long. Despite CU’s efforts to prevent Nebraska fans from overwhelming the stadium, a sea of red was also in attendance. None of the attendees, however, could have foreseen what they were about to witness.
The CU-Nebraska rivalry is one of the oldest and most storied in college football, dating back to 1898. The Cornhuskers had undeniably gotten the better of the Buffs over the past century. In fact, the Buffaloes hadn’t beaten Nebraska in 10 years. Prior to the game, CU running back Cortlen Johnson acknowledged this as he said, “It’s almost like playing against your older brother. You want to beat them so bad, and just all the years growing up he’s been beating up on you. Our opportunity is here.”
Every time the two schools clashed it was like a bowl game in its own right, but the stakes seemed especially high in 2001. Nebraska came into the game on a 13-game win streak, ranked second in the nation, and their quarterback, Eric Crouch, looked poised to win the Heisman Trophy. On the other hand, the Buffs were 8-2 and looking to win their first Big 12 Conference championship.
… Continue reading story here …
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November 15th
… CU in a few minutes …
Neill Woelk’s Fast Five: Digging In To Keys for the Utah game
From CUBuffs.com … Every year, the Colorado-Utah game seems to have a little extra riding on the outcome.
This year is no different, even though it is not the last game of the season for the first time since the two teams entered the Pac-12 in 2011.
The Buffs (5-5 overall, 2-5 Pac-12) need a win to become bowl eligible. The No. 21 Utes (5-3, 7-3) need a win to remain in contention for the Pac-12 South title.
But when the two teams meet in Saturday’s 11:30 a.m. matchup at Folsom Field (Pac-12 Networks), it will be the Utes who have the momentum. Utah has won five its last six, including last weekend’s 32-25 win over Oregon, while the Buffs — after winning their first five — have dropped five in a row.
How can Colorado end its skid and get back on the right track? Our weekly Fast Five Keys:
… Continue reading story here …
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Folsom 500 … A look back at the 1986 CU/Nebraska game
… Related … “The Signature Win of All Signature Wins” … from cuatthegame.com (my favorite CU game of all time)
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado Buffalo Gold Rush Saturday, as proclaimed by former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm just days before the event, would go down as one of the most historic games of Colorado Football history.
The Buffaloes, under Bill McCartney’s leadership for the fifth season now, were looking to extend their win streak to three, and to do so, it would have to come against the undefeated and third ranked team in the nation, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Prior to this meeting Nebraska had won 18 in a row against Colorado, a span of 19 years and 3 days. This matchup would shape what the Big Eight Conference would look like throughout the rest of the season. The CU faithful knew this and showed up in unprecedented numbers. Attendance at kickoff was standing room only as there were 52,440 in attendance, packing Folsom Field, which had a seating capacity of 51,941.
Both Colorado and Nebraska would have possession before any scoring would take place. Late in the first quarter, the Buffaloes ran a reverse to wide receiver Jeff Campbell who would take it 39 yards for the first points of the game. This would be the only scoring in the first quarter as Colorado’s defense had clearly showed up to play, allowing Nebraska only 52 yards of total offense.
… Continue reading story here …
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Mike MacIntyre on Saturday weather: “I hope it’s snowing sideways. That would be fun”
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre doesn’t hesitate when asked what stands out about the Utah Utes, who pay a visit Saturday to Folsom Field for an 11:30 a.m. contest (Pac-12 Networks).
“They’re extremely big up front on both sides of the ball,” MacIntyre said. “That’s where you see a huge difference in them, defensively and offensively, is their lines are so powerful.”
Indeed, the Utes (7-3 overall, 5-3 Pac-12) occupy plenty of real estate in the trenches. Defensively, they boast a pair of 300-pound defensive tackles; on the offensive side, four of their five starters are at least 313 pounds (the starting center checks in at a svelte 295).
It is a group that has served the Utes well on both sides of the ball and will no doubt provide a challenge for the Buffs (5-5, 2-5).
Defensively, Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation in run defense, yielding just 101.7 yards per game on the ground. Offensively, the Utes are second in the conference in rushing, averaging a hefty 205 yards per game.
They are, to no one’s surprise, a typical Kyle Whittingham Utah team.
“Their running backs run hard and physical, they play a lot of man coverage in the back end, they have really good corners and safeties that can cover tight coverage,” MacIntyre said. “They make you earn everything.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Bios for CU’s 19 seniors
From CUBuffs.com … As for Senior Day, this year’s group includes four- and five-year players who came in as freshman recruits as well as some who arrived via the transfer route.
“There’s all different journeys for guys for college,” MacIntyre said. “Everybody has a different story. … It’s always unique as you mesh a team together and different guys get to know each other. It makes it pretty special.”
The 19 seniors who will be honored Saturday:
DT Mo Bandi
WR Kabion Ento
RB Kyle Evans
DB Nick Fisher
DL Jase Franke
LB Rick Gamboa
OL Josh Kaiser
RB Donovan Lee
LB Drew Lewis
DB Kyle Trego
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November 14th
… CU in a few minutes …
Senior safety Nick Fisher: “Guys are still excited. We want to win. We don’t want to go out losing seven straight”
From the Daily Camera … the Buffs have scored first and held the lead in every game during the five-game skid. Each time, they’ve let victory — and bowl eligibility — slip away.
Co-offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said the Buffs can’t let the losing streak hide the fact they’ve got the ability to win.
“When you are, for example, on a five-game winning streak, the perception is maybe that you’re doing everything right, and you’re not,” he said. “When you’re on a five-game losing streak, the perception is that you’re doing everything wrong, and you’re not.”
The Buffs have done just enough wrong things, however, to come up short for five weeks in a row.
Yet, even with the losing streak and the outside distractions surrounding them, the Buffs have not lost sight of the one goal they can still achieve.
“We’re trying to get bowl eligible,” receiver Laviska Shenault said. “That’s the only thing we’re worried about.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media (Wed.)
From YouTube, courtesy of BuffStampede.com:
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Folsom 500 – A Look Back at the History of Folsom Field
From CUBuffs.com … Saturday’s game against Utah will be the 500th game in Folsom Field history. Here’s a look back at the first 499 games in the stadium’s history.
Folsom Field is often referred to as the best venue for college football, sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The stadium is one of the most intimate settings in the country, with the second-tightest sideline distance between the playing field and the stands. As a result of that and playing at an elevation of 5,440 feet, Folsom Field gives the Buffs a unique home-field advantage.
CU has an all-time record of 315-174-10 (.641) in Folsom Field with one game to go before No. 500. The Buffs have won six games in Folsom during a season six different times and won five or more games 22 times. They also have 13 undefeated home seasons and five more where the team did not lose a game, but had a tie.
… Continue reading story here …
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November 13th
… CU in a few minutes …
Buff players trying not to be distracted by MacIntyre rumors
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado football players shrugged off rumors surrounding the fate of head coach Mike MacIntyre and the CU coaching staff Tuesday, and said they will continue to focus on the task at hand: Saturday’s home finale against Utah at Folsom Field.
“At the end of the day, it really doesn’t change how we feel as players and how we feel about this season, and that is to win these last two games and get to a bowl game,” Colorado quarterback Steven Montez said. “That is our goal right now at this point. We are going to go out there on Saturday and try to play our best football regardless of the situation.”
CU Athletic Director Rick George issued this statement in response to reports that the CU coaching staff has been told they would not be retained after this season:
“We do not comment on speculation or unsubstantiated rumors with anonymous sources. Let me just say I have made no decisions regarding the future of the football program. As I’ve stated in the past, we continually evaluate all aspects of all of our 17 intercollegiate sport programs.”
The Buffs (5-5 overall, 2-5 Pac-12) need one more win to become bowl eligible, a goal they would love to attain when they celebrate Senior Day against the Utes (7-3, 5-3). Kickoff is set for 11:31 a.m.
No doubt, players are aware of the reports, as they were widely circulated on social media. But, they said, those are issues beyond their control.
“You hear it all, (but) all that stuff is hype,” said Buffs linebacker Drew Lewis, one of 19 seniors who will suit up for their last game at Folsom on Saturday. “People on the outside are talking about that stuff. We don’t really consider it when we’re taking the field, ever. … You can take it how you’d like, but to me, I’m still 100 percent motivated and excited to play in my last game at Folsom. At the end of the day, Coach Mac says it himself all the time — players make plays and players win games. It’s the players who are in control when game time comes.”
… Continue reading story here …
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MacIntyre: “For an anonymous story to come out with no quotes is kind of gutless is how I see it”
UPDATE … Nothing new came out of the usual Tuesday press conference, other than the fact that CU will be down two starting defensive backs for the Utah game, safety Evan Worthington and cornerback Delrick Abrams, as both are out with concussions …
Mike MacIntyre: “Who knows who the source is. For an anonymous story to come out with no quotes is kind of gutless is how I see it. But that is the world we live in” ..
Video of Mike MacIntyre’s Tuesday press conference:
Football head coach Mike MacIntyre's press conference
Posted by Colorado Buffaloes Football on Tuesday, November 13, 2018
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CU athletic director Rick George: “I have made no decisions regarding the future of the football program”
Press release from CUBuffs.com … This official comment from University of Colorado Athletic Director Rick George, on a rumor circulated Monday evening that CU was making a head coaching change in its football program, based on two anonymous sources:
“We do not comment on speculation or unsubstantiated rumors with anonymous sources. Let me just say I have made no decisions regarding the future of the football program.
“As I’ve stated in the past, we continually evaluate all aspects of all of our 17 intercollegiate sport programs.”
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Denver Channel 7 Report: Mike MacIntyre out as head coach at Colorado
But … Tweet at 7:53 a.m. from Brian Howell at the Daily Camera … “Source of mine at CU told me this morning the Channel 7 report on Mike MacIntyre is not true. Will certainly hope to get more as day goes on”
UPDATED story from Brian Howell at the Daily Camera … Mike MacIntyre’s tenure as the head football coach at Colorado could be coming to a close.
Late Monday night, Denver’s Channel 7 reported that CU and MacIntyre will part ways at the end of the season. Channel 7 cited anonymous sources.
However, a source from CU told Buffzone.com on Tuesday morning that the report is not true. When asked if there is any truth to the Channel 7 report, the source simply replied, “No” in a text.
MacIntyre is scheduled to hold his weekly press conference late Tuesday morning in Boulder.
MacIntyre was hired Dec. 10, 2012, and has a 30-43 record in six seasons with the Buffs. He has three years and roughly $9,975,000 remaining on his contract after this season.
CU (5-5, 2-5 Pac-12) is riding a five-game losing streak after a 5-0 start. The Buffs will play their home finale on Saturday at Folsom Field against Utah (7-3, 5-3) and then close the regular season on Nov. 24 at California. They need one win in their last two games to earn bowl eligibility for the second time in three seasons.
CU will honor 20 seniors on Saturday, including MacIntyre’s son, Jay, a receiver who has compiled 84 catches for 1,027 yards and six touchdowns during his career.
… Continue reading story here …
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CU must try and establish a better rushing attack … against an even better defense
From the Daily Camera … Running the football has been a struggle for the Colorado football team over the last two games.
Turning that around will be a priority this week.
The Buffs (5-5, 2-5 Pac-12) will host Utah (7-3, 5-3) on Saturday at Folsom Field, charged with the task of finding running room against one of the country’s stingiest defenses.
Utah ranks 10th nationally against the run, allowing 101.7 yards per game. The Utes have held five opponents to 73 yards or less.
“I see big, physical, aggressive dudes,” CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said of the Utah defense. “They’re a very physical football team and we’re going to have to be extremely physical against them.”
CU, which is riding a five-game losing streak, has struggled to do that, especially lately.
The Buffs have rushed for just 115 yards in the last two games combined. Quarterback Steven Montez has been sacked eight times for a total loss of 65 yards in those games, impacting the overall numbers, but there still hasn’t been much running room.
… Continue reading story here …
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Folsom 500 – A look back at Rashaan Salaam’s run to 2,000
Related … “Salaam’s 2,055 Overshadowed by Coach Mac’s Announcement” … from cuatthegame.com
From CUBuffs.com … On a brisk fall afternoon in Boulder, the Colorado Buffaloes were looking to close out a remarkable season with one final game against a winless Iowa State football team. With multiple records on the line and bowl game decisions to be made, the Big Eight Conference game carried a lot of significance even though the Buffs were a 33-point favorite.
With an Iowa State defense ranked 105th out of 109 schools, CU tailback Rashaan Salaam was poised to not only break a record of 2,000 yards rushing in a single season but seal his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy. Buffs quarterback Kordell Stewart also sat 265 yards away from breaking Mike Gundy’s Big Eight total offense mark, which was very possible given the fact Stewart averaged 242.5 yards of total offense per game.
However, CU coach Bill McCartney was very nervous about this underdog opponent. The previous Saturday the Cyclones played very tough in their 28-12 loss to Nebraska. The Cyclones would have been just one point down to Nebraska but a touchdown was called back. “The very fact that they can play the No. 1 team in the country that strong has my full attention,” McCartney said going into Saturday’s game.
… Continue reading story here …
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November 12th
… CU in a few minutes …
Mike MacIntyre post practice talk with media (Mon.)
From YouTube, courtesy of BuffStampede.com:
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Game time set for regular season finale against Cal
From Dave Plati at CUBuffs.com … The Colorado at California football game on Saturday, Nov. 24 will kickoff at 5 p.m. MST (4:00 PST) and will be televised nationally on the Pac-12 Networks.
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Neill Woelk: Ten Takeaways from Washington State game
From CUBuffs.com … It has become an all-too familiar refrain over the last couple of seasons: the Colorado Buffaloes heading down the home stretch of the season looking for a sixth win and bowl eligibility.
In the last two years, CU has had eight chances to claim a sixth win — three last year and five this year — but each time has come up short. The latest attempt was Saturday’s 31-7 loss to Washington State.
Now, the 5-5 Buffs (2-5 Pac-12) have two games remaining: their 11:30 a.m. home finale Saturday against Utah at Folsom Field, followed by the Nov. 24 regular season finale at Cal. Two wins would guarantee a winning season — only the second since 2005 for Colorado — while at least one win would make Colorado bowl eligible and keep the door open for a winning year.
But before looking ahead to a visit from the Utes, we’ll take one more look at last weekend with our weekly 10 Takeaways:
… Continue reading story here …
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November 11th – Thanks, Veterans!
… CU in a few minutes …
Colorado/Utah set for 11:30 a.m. kickoff – Buffs a 7.5-point underdog
Lines from 5Dimes.com …
Pac-12 schedule for November 17th:
— Colorado … a 7.5-point underdog at home to No. 21 Utah … 11:30 a.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks … This will be the 500th game in Folsom Field’s history.
— UCLA … a 3.5-point underdog at home against USC … 12:30 p.m., MT, Fox
— No. 17 Washington … a 32.0-point favorite at home against Oregon State … 2:30 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks
— California … a 2.0-point underdog at home against Stanford … 5:30 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks
— Oregon … a 4.0-point favorite at home against Arizona State … 8:30 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks
— No. 8 Washington State … a 10.0-point favorite at home against Arizona … 8:30 p.m., MT, ESPN
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Associated Press rankings: Washington State jumps Ohio State and LSU
From CBS Sports … The new AP Top 25 doesn’t feature a lot of major shake ups, only minor adjustments as we move closer towards the conclusion of the 2018 regular season.
There were no changes at all in the top seven of the rankings, from Alabama still being unanimous at No. 1 to West Virginia holding tight at No. 7 after a convincing win against TCU. Washington State was a big winner of the week, jumping Ohio State and LSU as it moved up two spots into No. 8.
Cincinnati had one of the biggest moves of the week, up six spots to No. 19 as it prepares for a top-20 showdown with No. 11 UCF. Kentucky made the biggest move down in the polls, falling eight spots to No. 20 after its loss to Tennessee on Saturday.
Associated Press poll:
| 1. Alabama |
| 2. Clemson |
| 3. Notre Dame |
| 4. Michigan |
| 5. Georgia |
| 6. Oklahoma |
| 7. West Virginia |
| 8. Washington State … up two spots from last week |
| 9. Ohio State |
| 10. LSU |
| 11. UCF |
| 12. Syracuse |
| 13. Texas |
| 14. Utah State |
| 15. Florida |
| 16. Penn State |
| 17. Washington … up three spots from last week |
| 18. Iowa State |
| 19. Cincinnati |
| 20. Kentucky |
| 21. Utah … up five spots from last week |
| 22. Boston College |
| 23. Boise State |
| 24. Northwestern |
| 25. Mississippi State |
Others Receiving Votes: Army West Point (8-2) 128; UAB (9-1) 78; Fresno State (8-2) 61; Michigan State (6-4) 31; NC State (6-3) 30; Buffalo (9-1) 29; Pittsburgh (6-4) 28; Duke (7-3) 20; Texas A&M (6-4) 16; Iowa (6-4) 8; Arizona State (6-4) 6; Stanford (6-4) 3; Auburn (6-4) 3; Troy (8-2) 1
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USA Today/Coaches’ poll:
| 1. Alabama |
| 2. Clemson |
| 3. Notre Dame |
| 4. Michigan |
| 5. Georgia |
| 6. Oklahoma |
| 7. West Virginia |
| 8. Ohio State |
| 9. Washington State … same position as last week |
| 10. LSU |
| 11. UCF |
| 12. Syracuse |
| 13. Utah State |
| 14. Texas |
| 15. Penn State |
| 16. Florida |
| 17. Washington … up one spot from last week |
| 18. Iowa State |
| 19. Utah … up five spots from last week |
| 20. Cincinnati |
| 21. Kentucky |
| 22. Boston College |
| 23. Mississippi State |
| 24. Boise State |
| 25. UAB |
Others Receiving Votes: Northwestern (6-4) 87; Fresno State (8-2) 64; Army West Point (8-2) 58; Buffalo (9-1) 56; Virginia (7-3) 44; Duke (7-3) 38; NC State (6-3) 37; Pittsburgh (6-4) 30; Texas A&M (6-4) 29; Michigan State (6-4) 20; Auburn (6-4) 19; Troy (8-2) 17; Appalachian State (7-2) 14; Missouri (6-4) 13; San Diego State (7-3) 10; Wisconsin (6-4) 7; Arizona State (6-4) 2; Tennessee (5-5) 1
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Frustration mounts for the Buffs
From Neill Woelk at CUBuffs.com … What once had the promise of a special season for the Colorado Buffaloes has now come to the point of bouncing back to salvage a bowl game and winning record.
Nobody has to tell the Buffs what they have left to gain. It begins next week with their home finale and Senior Day against Utah, followed by a road game at Cal to end the regular season.
One win would make them bowl eligible. Two wins would guarantee them a winning season. It is still a worthy goal for a program that has had just one winning record and one bowl game since 2005 — but no doubt, the frustration of a 5-0 start followed by an 0-5 skid has set in.
“It’s frustrating when you lose,” Buffs quarterback Steven Montez said. “It’s never fun when you go out there, work hard, work your butt off all week and then you come up short on game day. It’s tough, it’s frustrating. But we have another opportunity next week.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Mike MacIntyre: “I don’t feel any pressure from my superiors”
From the Daily Camera … The Buffs (5-5, 2-5 Pac-12) remained tied with UCLA — which nearly upset Arizona State on the road Saturday — for last place in the South division. MacIntyre is potentially facing his fifth last-place finish in his six seasons as head coach.
“No, I don’t feel any pressure from my superiors whatsoever; nothing but support,” MacIntyre said after Saturday’s game, which was the most lopsided loss of the season. “I love this place. I want to be here. We love it. I think people know what we’re doing on a daily basis, how we treat our kids, how we work, how we’re recruiting, how our talent keeps going up. We just have to find a way to get going.”
While plenty of good has been done by MacIntyre, the bottom line is not good.
CU is now 0-8 in the past two seasons when trying to get win No. 6 and achieve bowl eligibility. MacIntyre is now 2-19 against ranked opponents, and 0-19 when it’s an opponent ranked ahead of the Buffs.
… Continue reading story here …
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48 Replies to “Colorado Daily – Utah”
Since the loss to Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game I’ve been left unimpressed. I let myself gain some hope at the 5-0 start this year but I kept telling myself, those teams weren’t very good. I was right.
Whoa Miles to KU.
Wow
So
does this mean George couldnt or didnt want to bring him here?
that George has someone else in mind?
or….gasp…he is going to keep MM on another year?
Be interesting to see how much KU is gong to pay Miles. Did Edwards success inspire him? Is there less pressure at KU? (this is probably Miles last gig at his age)Would 5 wins be a big deal in Lawrence?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Don’t know if this is true or not but SI.COM is reporting that Les Miles and Kansas are finalizing a deal.
Just damn DEPRESSING……… Had such “High Hopes” back when MM came.
Just kept Hopin’ and Prayin’ ….. and nuthin’ sustainable happened…..He must have had damn good OC’s and DC’s at San Jose…. but they didn’t thrive very well in the PAC-12.
Mac seems like an above board guy. Church goin’ fella. Loves his family and his players. May have never yelled at his cat. Might even iron his own shirts, shorts and socks. Where does that get us ??
Leo Durocher coined the phrase, “Nice guys finish last.” He should have added “in the PAC-12 South.”
You can be a nice guy outside of the game but when the game is on, and the situation demands it, you must have killer instinct and have the courage to make the hard calls. I feel Mac is a nice guy and good human being. He just doesn’t have what it takes under situational pressure at this level. It is depressing and I have the exact same feeling now that I did when Barnett was let go, and when Hawkins fired, and then Embree was released. That mixed feeling of: man, it has gotten bad and I hope they get a great guy that can consistently get us to bowl games. It feels like a curse, but it is really not. It is a matter of talent acquisition (skill and experience). For the last 3 cycles CU has gone to coaches who did not have head coaching or coordinator experience in what is now called the Power 5. Clearly, some of that had to do with who was available and who really wanted to come to CU given the situation so choices were made. But all three of them (assuming Mac does not break through in next two games and is let go) were ceiling guys at this level. IMO, we need a guy who has a proven, consistent track record at the Power 5 level. For example: I hope CU does not go after the Utah State guy because of his performance this year. At least Mac has improved the situation from the disaster of the Embree era. I just hope I don’t feel this way again another 5-6 years down the road. Let’s break the cycle now through a great coaching hire.
I take offense to this poll question about the weather! There should be an option for us snow-lovers who are excited to see the first snow game in fifteen years, regardless of how it affects the Buffs!
I want Leavitt but we probably can’t talk to him until the season for Oregon is over. Also seems strange that the Kansas Les Miles talk died so suddenly. Perhaps some conversations have been had. I think I would be happy with either though I prefer Leavitt. Oregon hired Leavitt before our bowl, turn about is fair play right?
After careful consideration the last couple of days I am declaring my support for hiring Jim Leavitt for the Head Coach job. I think he will bring the fire and keep the commits from abandoning ship. Mr George get it done.
Also, he doesn’t break the bank. So there’s that.
So go Buffs whip the Utes. That would be great. It ain’t over till its over but this could be one of those impossible moments where “have your cake and eat it to” could be in play eh?</b)
Gawd to whip those mountain Indians and get bowl eligible and slow their trek to the South Championship. Mein Gott…… Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte….Bienenstich….I want (and deserve) it all.
Apparently the players are all fired up/motivated to get the win to " secure bowl eligibility."
Really. Really. Really……? And the last 5 games…..or at least one of em…. maybe 2
Anyway Beat the Utes………..Badly please.
Note: The Mac Press Conference. Wow. Is there any doubt he is auditioning for his next gig. Listen to him……………………
1. Turned around San Jose State….worst program in the country
2. Then turned around Colorado the “dumpster fire of the west”
3. Great academic improvement
4. Great community involvement
5. Blah
6. Blah
7. IF YOU NEED A TURNAROUND COACH I AM AVAILABLE. NOT TODAY BUT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
One could list several schools if not more that could use Mac’s expert turnaround experience
( Hey there is nothing wrong with being a turnaround expert, they are prized in the business world……….ya just gotta know before Peter shows up so you can get out, take credit and move on and do it again. Gotta know yur limitations, Listening to the wrong people will give you earache. Trying to be what you are not just because you want to be is dancing with Peter………….and he almost always wins. That music will give you an earache that will be out of tune with reality and babble at you with bad advice cause of bad knowledge, intuition and experience. You can bank on it. You will be mortgaging your future.
Mac needs to come clean and tell us who he is……….don’t ya think. Hiding behind that COY crap.
Gonna snow Saturday. Mac is so funny.
So,
Did you know Jim Leavitts Family still lives in Boulder?
Go Buffs
wow
that could be a positive omen. On the other hand maybe they get along with him about as well as MM did
Funny!!!!
We will see what is going to happen. Yup we will.
You know I like him a lot. Fiery, smart, coaches the game so the players can win the game…..from the defensive side at least.
Head coach he is about .500 in conference play Overall 95 and 57
Last 5 years in the Big East.
40-24 (17-18) last 2 years were half the conference losses
5 bowl games won 3 lost 2
There have been many discussions and comments about his lack of recruiting skill. Not sure this is the case
RG rules my world……………yours too
Lost a commit.
That rumor leaker should be fired immediately if it is a CU person. If it came from the Mac camp. Fire him now.
Go Buffs.
Dam, The Mighty Buffs don’t need that crap………………….But it is the Mighty Buffs history now ain’t it
We are going to lose many more after this
I get the feeling that the well is poisoned, so to speak.
Even IF MacIntyre finds a way to win between one and three more games this year and keeps his job.. Does anyone seriously think he’s doesn’t start next year with only a tiny chance of being around the next year?
How does “coach Mac with an axe over his head” go about recruiting? How does he manage to hire a new offensive line coach (we all assume Adams is gone) or defensive coordinator (I’ve heard rumors for weeks about Eliot)? No one wants to come play or work for a guy that won’t be there the next season!
I agree with you. I have difficulty envisioning a scenario in which – irrespective of by whom the story was leaked – HCMM can return next year. He and his assistants will be bludgeoned on the recruiting trail with this story.
Mac thinks there are “gutless” people out there. That word perfectly describes his approach to, and in, critical games. A bigger person would have said, it doesn’t matter, I’m focused on doing better and finding a way to win these next two games after this embarrassing losing streak.
That was a very strange press conference. He dodged the questions of “have you talked to Rick today” and “what do you hope to hear from Rick today”. Nonetheless that went about as well as anyone (pro- or anti-MacIntyre) could hope, I guess.
My take: there’s no way Rick George fires MacIntyre before the final home game, especially not when Jay is playing on senior day (morning?). If Utah wins? All bets are off.
To me, this whole day makes CU look less than stellar, whether there’s any truth to the rumor, or not. Not a good look. If you’re going to let someone go, this is textbook how not to do it.
And, if it were a rumor started by some disgruntled booster? That’s not good either.
It’s going to be an interesting next two or three weeks, for sure.
I just want them to win these last two games, and let the chips fall where they may.
If they do make a change, it seems they’d need to be ready to pony up at least $3mill/yr to get anyone who’d be a proven dude, who’d be considered a definite upgrade. Not sure they’ve got that kind of jack, but? Not sure they don’t. If they don’t then they’re rolling the dice on another up and comer. We’ve seen that movie before, as have about 90% of the other programs who hire them every year, only to see them under-achieve.
Glad it’s not my call to make. I can just chill out, enjoy life, and watch the saga unfold.
I do know this. Winning cures a lot of ills. Here’s to hoping they get these last two. I know they can. Will they? We’ll see.
Go Buffs.
You have said twice. This isnt making CU look good. Huh? and Mac has? What you mean is this isnt making you look good. No one….no one but you wants to keep losing with Mac.
He needs to go. Everyone is speculating he is gone and then comes this leak…BFD.
Everyone but you wants a change. Speaking of change, after 5 straight games of brain dead offense are we finally going to see any change against the Utes? Howell just wrote about how Mac says we have to establish our running game….and this against the baddest boys against the run in the conference. Did he get 5 brand new 300 lb 4.5 40, bench pressing a good size building O linemen? I keep seeing 3 and outs awake and in my sleep. We got 5 excellent receivers but it seems we can only use one. arrrgghhhh. Its like MM is taking money to lose.
…..I do know this. Winning cures a lot of ills.
Yup it sure does.
6 years and and 14 conference wins.out of 52. (2 more to go)
Yup it sure does.
Buffs
Note: No cure!
I don’t know if there is any truth to the channel 7 story. If it is, I’d say that CU’s actions are a bit premature. Tacking on to what Stuart wrote last weekend, what if the Buffs win the final two games? 7-5 is a damn good season in my mind considering where this program has been.
If they win the last 2.
A really big if.
What if they win just 1?
Another big if.
But they might.
Nubs suck, CSU sucks and that other team, i don’t even remember the name sucks.
In conference
2 and 7
or
3 and 6
or 4 and 5.
None of those are good.
14 and 38 with 8 in one year. Average is 2.33 per year 9 games every year in conference. Gotta win there. He has not. Simple math.
Go Buffs
Keep in mind MM inherited a VERY poor team. 4-5 in conference play would be a marked improvement from where this program was when he came on board. All I’m saying is that he should get a chance to compete in these last two games and be judged on his final record.
Yup. His final record! Even blind squirrels find acorns. His final record of conference play over 6 years can be no better than 16 and 38.
So how bout this?? Conference games
2008 1-8
2009 0-9
2010 1-8
2011 2-7
2012 1-8
2013 3-5
2014 2-7
2015 6-3
2016 7-2
2017 6-3
2018 6-1 so far
WSU Leach takes over WSUin 2012, 1 year before Mac. 4 years of losing pac 12 play before Leach took over. Continued growth. Continued improvement. Turns it in 3 years. Still going strong. 5 out of 7 years a bowl……….which is nice but conference record is the key as you play 75% of your games in conference.
Go Buffs. Mac good luck in your new job. Coach the last 2 as it doesn’t matter. (Win em both and you are 4 and 5 conference. Lose em both and you are 2 and 7) Thank you for your service.
Well now CU is denying it.
Regardless I stand by my comment below
Go Buffs
Statement from Colorado AD Rick George on Mike MacIntyre report: “We do not comment on speculation or unsubstantiated rumors with anonymous sources. Let me just say I have made no decisions regarding the future of the football program.
Sheesh…………whoever leaked that from cu should go with Mac And if it was from the Mac camp then so be it……….Get rid of him today.
RG is in California…………………
Well? Sounds like we’ll have clarity today, at the usual Tuesday presser. If this is true – and it very well may be – it looks like another situation that wasn’t handled all that cleanly by CU.
If they’re moving on, I hope Mac’s replacement is a nice upgrade who can actually take the program to the next level. I don’t see that person on the current staff. Is it Les? Is he the right guy? Some up and comer? David Gibbs, whose been bandied about before? If we’re dreaming, let’s go w/ Brent Venables…
It’ll be interesting to watch the saga play out, both on the field and off.
As an aside, don’t look now, but Bohn did a decent job w/ his football hire at Cincinnati, it seems. Don’t read too much into that comment; it was time for him to move on from CU, and I think RG was a nice upgrade (at least for fundraising and structural components). Well done by Bruce.
Now, sounds like we’ll get to see who Rick can wrangle in to run the football program.
Mac did make a lot of progress, no doubt. It’ll be interesting to see who comes in now, and whether they’ll have what it takes to get to the next level. Whoever it is, I hope the team comes out on fire and wins the next two games. That’d be good for everyone.
Go Buffs.
To Stuart,
This news needs to be true. That said, it shouldn’t have been leaked like this. It’s not the best way for the players and other coaches to hear about it.
But, moving forward, the Buffs need to move forward quickly. Put Chiaverini in charge of the offense and Eliot in charge of the defense. MM should no longer be making decisions for the Buffs. Let the players and other coaches are if they can salvage what is left of their season.
The players deserve to go to a bowl game if they can pull it together for another victory of two. And let Jay MacIntyre have his dad with him for his last games.
I’m certain that AD Rick George is already putting together a list. But we can’t let this drag on. Colorado has to be thorough but quick. Don’t let the recruits and the players be left in the dark. They are young and resilient but they also need consistency from the university.
Good luck to MacIntyre and his family in their future endeavors.
Go Buffs!
Mark
2nd all of that!!
Starting perception shift campaign for VJ!!
For a moment pretend he was say the coach of the Raiders and the hulking mess they are…he is getting fired at the end of the year (if not sooner), and yes he was overmatched in the NFL. However, he is obviously intelligent to ascend in the League the way he has, as they do not suffer fools. He should have done a stint in college prior to HC at the NFL level, again preferably at CU. Something about his program from afar seems a bit collegiate vs. NFL ( simple concepts , highly motivated players).
Finally, and importantly the price will be right. This is an unfortunate huge consideration for our program/University unlike others in major CFB.
I met MM at one of the CU statewide tours and he convinced me he was a man of character. Unfortunately that admirable characteristic had some part in his undoing here at CU in the form of loyalty to his assistants who were less than capable of pulling it off in D1 (the exception being Leavitt, of course, who ironically was the most competent). Football isnt rocket science but it is dynamic and takes strategic flexibility, something blatantly missing on offense.
How will all this shake out? With the friction we saw between Mac and Leavitt makes me believe Chev may have been on a leash. Time will tell if Chev goes elsewhere and succeeds.
Looking forward to the new choice to run this football program. I think Rick George is far more qualified to pick a coach than the last 2 AD’s.
Coach Mac leaves the program in substantially better shape than he found it when he came here from SJSU. I’m at the age where I have empathy for practically anyone who loses a job (Bobby Petrino leaps to mind as an exception to that rule) because I appreciate the ripple effect in terms of that person’s family as well as the families of those persons whose jobs are dependent upon that person. That being said, given the lack of progress that has been made off of the 2016 season, which begins to look more and more like an aberration as it fades into the rear-view, and the fact that HCMM was not RG’s hire but rather someone whom he inherited when he became Athletic Director, this move is neither unexpected nor unwarranted.
I do not know what effect HCMM’s dismissal (and the presumed departure of – at least some of – his assistants) shall have on CU’s 2019 class although I would think – with the December signing day now a thing – RG will look to have his search completed and his new coach in place in time to salvage it to the extent that is possible (and I for one do not pretend to know how much of the class, if any, bolts once this plays itself out).
Coaches get hired to get fired, generally speaking. While HCMM leaves Boulder having lost more games than he won, he leaves it as a more attractive place for kids to come play college football than it was when he got here. As a proud Buff (Class of ’89), I thank him for his service, and wish him and his family nothing but the best, personally and professionally, going forward.
Well there you have it…buffzone and a few other sites reporting Mac is out. Allowed to coach final 2 games. Hopefully there is due diligence in the new coaching search
I wanna be the first to thank Mac2 for coming here. Didn’t work out exactly as it was hoped, but he did get the program from the stalled/diving mode into the rebuild mode. Just couldn’t get it over the hump to the level it needs and deserves to be at. No question he learned a lot about competing with the big boys in his six years here. It will benefit him greatly in his next job.
Good luck Mac, thanks for the effort and take what ya learned and be successful at the next stop.
Go Buffs.
I second that. It is time for him to move on but I will always be great full for him getting us here.
Mac says he is not feeling any pressure from his superiors. Possible interpretations:
1) Delusion/denial on Mac’s part.
2) The pressure is there but RG has not shown it yet, seeing if Mac can pull a win or two out. If not, then the pressure valve opens up fast in the form of a pink slip.
3) The pressure may be there but not high enough now because the CU brass don’t want to shell out $10M. But the pressure will be incredibly high next year if Mac comes back.
4) There is no pressure for Mac because he gets $10M and knows someone will hire him so he really doesn’t care if he gets fired. So any pressure that is coming his way goes right through him.
5) Other? Who knows? I find it a ridiculous comment. Any organization with high performers in it will always feel pressure, one way or another, that is a culture of winning.
Acceptability is a wide ranging word. You can pretty much define acceptability in your own terms.
Remember them ol QC guys spitting out the words………………”It’s not the destination, its the journey”…there can be alot of truth in that and at the same time be the ol barnyard smell.
RG has his destination for the football program. “At least 1 pac 12 championship in 2017 to 2019.” This is in strategic plan and the #1 item on his list. 1.1.1
https://cubuffs.com/sports/2017/9/26/strategic-plan.aspx
1.1.1 has one opportunity left. Next year.
From a journey perspective 4 out of 5 years at the bottom of the south. And the worst case being tied with UCLA for the bottom again this year so 5 out of 6. The journey is a disaster. (last, last, last, first, last (and another) last.
Trust the system, trust the plan trust the process.
The current football regime does not allow trust in the system, trust the plan, or trust the process.
It is time for the change. The system, the plan and the process are broken. Mac got it turned the best he could. Lots of places that could use his 6 year turn around expertise. Hope RG helps him find that loacal
Good Ol Dave Dudley to Good ol RG
“Six Years at the bottom
And you need to make a change tonight”
Up ye Ol Buffalo…………………….Move on.
Its possible my attention may have wandered a bit during Mac’s lengthy and rambling answers in the video. Maybe he was stalling in hopes that no one would ask about the offense…which no one did. At least Howell has dropped coach access to no. 2 priority and finally told it like it is in his latest piece.
How much irony is there in the fact Chev’s coaching career came up through Tech where Leach embedded the air raid and the Buff’s O looks nothing like it? Viska got 10 receptions, Winfree 4 and tails off from there.
Minshew, of course spread it out a lot more. Of course he had time to pick out a good looking girl in the stands and throw the ball to her.
We are rich with receivers. Of course Viska is the best but everyone knows that now. 100 yards but only 10 yards per catch.Is Montez constantly looking for him? Is Chev calling his number on most plays? I have a hard time believing Viska is the only one in our stable that can get open on a regular basis.
Its hard to watch all the routes from the TV screen so maybe we are doing lots of the things I dont think we are without success. We can gas their DBs by shuttling in and out all our fine receivers. Flood the entire field with routes like WSU does. The guys in the booth can give Montez his 1st and 2nd reads as they watch the D unfold. He sure wont have time for any more. The more we send on sideline patterns the more the middle opens up and vice versa. Send someone long on every play. ….blah blah
One thing is for sure. The Buff running game is dead. So just throw the damn ball….all over the field. If you are going to run once in a while put Bisharat in there to at least punish the tacklers.
Its like the team thats behind trying to play catch up with time running down. Same thing with the Buff’s season….THROW THE DAMN BALL.
Sure doesn’t. Kinda did in the beginning of the year.
And I gotta tell this current rendition of the WAC-A-MAC offense is not what was installed or practiced
in the early weeks of the season. Something Changed. No one will/can answer the why question. Very interesting. The oline is not good in the traditional OL Role. Hence the TE right in there helping out most every play. The oline young guys have the talent. The older guys not so much….but they try hard Not picking on em Just facts. The younger kids have talent. I mean its a good looking group. Gotta play the most talented. Not done at the beginning of the year. Shoulda been done. Lots of talented experience would have been available.
Chev is not powerful enough to get what he wants. Yup he is part of the problem with the design, scheme and adjustments. It is a disappointment. Adams is outta his league.
Offensive coaches.
WacMac guys
Roper
Bernarde
Adams
Non Wac Mac Guys
Chev
Hagan.
I agree with ep.
5 young ol guys that can run
4 fast wide receivers 1 te split wide
1 qb
all plays are moving pocket.
Throw throw throw throw
Buffs.
Saturday is gonna be a great game.
Gave my tickets to my bud. Called and said he still had one left and if wanted join him and his two bud. I may do it.
It’s simple. How many years has it been since we have seen a CU football team improve during the course of the season? That’s on the coaches.
There has not been a single year in which CU has improved over the course of the season. Even in 2016 (especially?) the team has gotten worse as the season has gone on.
For years I thought this was Lingren’s fault on offense and lack of depth on defense. But VK’s ramblings have slowly convinced me that this is actually Mac’s influence: the further away from training camp we get the more Mac’s conservative play-not-to-lose ethos seeps its way into the gameplans.
Wow. That offense was terrible Saturday. Has been most of the year, really. Even during their 5-0 run, it was suspect. O-line? Chev/Adams? Mac? Montez? Injuries? All the above? I don’t know. I’m sure hoping they do, and they push the right buttons to get something going these next two weeks.
Defense has been decent, at least, despite the raft of injuries in the secondary.
My take remains the same: 5-7 – disappointment; 6-6 Meh; 7-5 would be acceptable.
Two games left. Will be interesting to see them play out, as well as the coaching carousel, whether it includes the Buffs, or not. It’s always entertaining.
Go Buffs.
I live in a retirement community where there are a lot of inhabitants that will not admit that they are having some memory problems……..happens to a lot of us as we grown older even when we are still able to take care of ourselves.
I don’t by any means think that Mac is ready for a retirement community but he is in such a serious position of denial that I don’t think he is truly capable of continuing as the CU HC.
Com’on Mac give it up and face reality, there is no way you are not dealing with reality. Get some coaches that are expert in their chosen fields and let them coach some of these good quality recruits that you do have an ability to recruit. Lose the ego coach speak that you continue to spout in the press conferences and be the HC that hires quality assistants and when they fail, fess up and make changes to correct the incompetence. Showing some realistic and common sense leadership just might save your job.
Hey AZ,
Probably too late. It didn’t just start this week, this month, this year. Since day 1. Hence the coaching staff he brought in. He was fairly clueless then.
Well the right decision will be made………………..has to be made. When is the key really.
Early signing day is a factor. Ya can’t really fire him after that day can ya? Dec 19!!!!
Assuming the juniors and Sophomores and freshman will play for him (And don’t kid yourself that is what is all about………….Will they? Or do they see the writing on the stall?) the Mighty Buffs might get a bowl game. In December…………..Could be the 15th. Win 1 and eligible. Does not guarantee a slot. Win 2 and they get one. Win zero well you know…….!!
Thanksgiving weekend. Sheesh
Go Buffs.
Well said.
11:30 am game time is the pac 12 equivalent of a slap to the face.
Or maybe I just hate waking up early.