Oct. 20th – No. 15 Washington – Tear Off the Band-Aid and Move On

Colorado, down a number of starters and playing the back half of a tough road swing, was in the game until the midway point of the fourth quarter, eventually falling to No. 15 Washington, 27-13. The Huskies out-gained the Buffs, 351 yards to 263, in a game controlled by the defenses.

The Huskies were led by quarterback Jake Browning, who went was held to 150 yards passing, but also contributed 25 yards rushing on scrambles. Buff quarterback Steven Montez went 17-for-28 for 144 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, but was harried all afternoon by the Washington defensive line. Travon McMillian led the Buffs in rushing, with 25 carries for 86 yards.

Notably, all of CU’s points were scored by true freshman. With star wide receiver Laviska Shenault out with a toe injury, CU’s touchdown was scored by true freshman wide receiver Daniel Arias, who turned his first career catch into a 37-yard touchdown. The Buff field goals were posted by true freshman kicker Evan Price, who was good from 37 and 26 yards. Price was in for James Stefanou, out with a hip injury.

Anyone who follows CU at the Game knows that I am a big believer in schadenfreude.

The “satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else’s misfortune” is not for everyone. There are those who say they cheer for Colorado State when the Rams are not playing the Buffs, but I have never understood that sentiment. If the Rams and Cornhuskers (as long as they remain on the Buffs’ schedule) go 0-12 every season, that’s just fine with me.

Schadenfreude led me earlier this week to Go Big Redcast, a podcast put out by Nebraska Cornhusker fans. With the Buffs coming off of a tough loss against USC, I wanted to ease my pain by hearing about the suffering of the Husker Nation. Nebraska was off to the worst start in school history (0-6), and in the midst of a school-record ten-game losing streak overall. I tuned in expecting to hear Cornhusker fans mourning the state of their program.

Instead, I heard fans trying to stay upbeat, trying to see the progress being made in Scott Frost’s first year. Sure, they were upset about Nebraska blowing a ten-point lead in the final five minutes in what was to become an overtime loss to Northwestern last weekend, but they still tried to find the positives from the game.

Oregon State (CU’s next opponent) takes a step backward in 49-7 loss to Cal … Oregon comeback against WSU falls short … Utah dominates USC to take control of the Pac-12 South …

Steven Montez: “We have something to prove” … Full list of mid-season award lists for Shenault, Landman, Montez and MacIntyre … Huskies’ revised goal: First Rose Bowl in 18 years … Neill Woelk: Friday’s Fast Five for Washington game …

Laviska Shenault ties a school record set in 1990 … Ol’ Crimson finally finds its way home … Trivia: What does Washington’s Chris Petersen have in common with a legendary Notre Dame head coach? …

Your “T.I.P.S” for CU’s trip to Seattle … CU is 0-6 vs. Washington as a member of the Pac-12 (and have been within 27 points only once) … Can the Buffs take advantage of a Washington team down and out after losing to its biggest rival (and losing its chance at the CFP)? …

Oregon is my new No. 1 in the Pac-12 Power Rankings, while the Buffs fall from the top three … Two matchups which will play a huge role in deciding division champs coming this weekend: USC at Utah and Oregon at Washington State …

CBS Sports Rankings: CU still the highest-rated team from the Pac-12 South … CU falls out of the Associated Press Top 25 (in at No. 30) … Buffs remain ranked, at No. 25, in USA Today coaches’ poll …