I'm trying to stay positive...

[Duff Man]

But I honestly don't see this team being much better next year. Injuries aside (and there are a lot), this coaching staff does not put players in the best position to win. I look at our offensive scheme and there is more hindering us than just injuries. Simple things like spacing of offensive players seems off. Helfrich has no consistency or flow in his playcalling. After the fourth or fifth play action pass on a third and long, my frustration level boiled over. The fact we were still running play action passes down two TDs in the 4th quarter was even worse. We go into each game with one plan and never stray from it.

On special teams, we still make the same mistakes from week one. No one understands gap control on the return teams. Josh Smith takes it out every single time. Our punting is wildly inconsistent. And then there's the field goal kicking.

On defense, we still make the same mistakes from week one. We can't tackle properly. Our LBs are literally invisible. Okie State must have passed to their TEs and RBs about 15 times last night and we never caught on at all. No adjustments by the coaching staff and no scheme recognition by the players.

Maybe it is all frustration, but I don't see many positives from a 13-point home loss.

 

[Sexton Hardcastle]

Don't go to the recruiting forum.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

I with ya on some of your points, BB. The S/T's need some serious retooling and the play-action when down late should be shelved (no one's gonna believe you're running it anyway). But I think there's more to this story.

The lack of offensive variety could be tied to the unsettled o/line situation. The Buffs are playing some lineman that really aren't ready, and it's obvious that sections of the playbook have been scrapped since these youngsters are playing. An excuse? No, not really. The o/line has been decimated and it shows.

Last night, the D game planned to try to take away okie lite's wr crossing patterns. Hence, the deep drops in coverage. It was a pick-your-poison situation. If you don't drop the LB's deeper, you suffer the crossing patterns all day long (like the one they scored on). The D gave up the short passes and tried to come up quick to make the plays short gains. Some of it worked, and some of it didn't.

This team needs some things. They need a d/line that can pressure the qb. They need some wr's that the opposing defense has to respect, particularly deep (j-fly excepted). They need to rediscover the tight ends in the passing game. From a coaching standpoint, they need to play alot smarter on special teams.

My 2 cents worth. We're all frustated right now. The team has one last chance to salvage the season and make it to a bowl game. The path to that goal is dark and treacherous. But who knows what will happen two weeks from now.

 

[Dark Bohner]

I hear you Boulder Buff. I feel your frustration. I am going to go out on a limb here, and I hope this gets archived somehow, and say that this time next year we are going to see a team that is light years ahead of what we see now. So many times in college football I have seen teams, and coaching staffs seemingly bang their heads against the wall for a few years, and then breakthrough when the patience and belief in their system finally started coming to fruition.

Plus I am conceding nothing to Nebraska until the clock hits 0:00 day after Thanksgiving. I hope they go into that game assuming a win against lil ol' CU, because I can see this team coming in there and punching them in the mouth.

 

[KDBuff]

I was thinking the exact same thing about the play action at the end of the game. There were lots of other things that bothered me, but I became to drunk to remember them now. The 2008 Buffs have changed my watching habits. Before this season, I never drank during the games because I wanted to remember the games and be able to know what was going on...it's been a long season for sure.

 

[ladyblaise]

But I honestly don't see this team being much better next year. Injuries aside (and there are a lot), this coaching staff does not put players in the best position to win. I look at our offensive scheme and there is more hindering us than just injuries. Simple things like spacing of offensive players seems off. Helfrich has no consistency or flow in his playcalling. After the fourth or fifth play action pass on a third and long, my frustration level boiled over. The fact we were still running play action passes down two TDs in the 4th quarter was even worse. We go into each game with one plan and never stray from it.

On special teams, we still make the same mistakes from week one. No one understands gap control on the return teams. Josh Smith takes it out every single time. Our punting is wildly inconsistent. And then there's the field goal kicking.

On defense, we still make the same mistakes from week one. We can't tackle properly. Our LBs are literally invisible. Okie State must have passed to their TEs and RBs about 15 times last night and we never caught on at all. No adjustments by the coaching staff and no scheme recognition by the players.

Maybe it is all frustration, but I don't see many positives from a 13-point home loss.

the light at the end of the tunnel: the mayan clock will be ending shortly. presumably, that should put us out of our misery.

 

[huskermark]

Hang in there I think you have a good Coach, give him time it will work out and before you know it CU will be knocking on the door for a MNC:smile:

 

[buffs04]

BB - we disagree a lot and I know you don't like my critical tone on a lot of my posts but... you're right on the money.

We all assume that the team will be better next year -- are Miller and MTM and Iltis and Simas and Katoa and Major and Givens and Rippy and [the rest of our highly talented players that aren't playing...] getting better w/o playing this year? I am optimistic for next year but the team is bad this year.

It's easy to blame the OL but if you really watch the team, the issues run so much deeper. The offense is more than a healthy OL away from being good. The receivers are mediocre to bad, the QB play is .... questionable at best, and we will all feel the loss of George, Brandon, Brad, and Ryan worse than most people want to admit on D.

 

[Sexton Hardcastle]

Oh yeah. The issues with the offense go much deeper than any one position. I don't see a quick fix next season. But Hawk definitely has to show some progress next season. I doubt we see the same injuries we did this year, but he has to show some progress.

I'd also like to see Hansen make a push for the starting job next year. This team needs him to.

 

[Duff Man]

Oh yeah. The issues with the offense go much deeper than any one position. I don't see a quick fix next season. But Hawk definitely has to show some progress next season. I doubt we see the same injuries we did this year, but he has to show some progress.

I'd also like to see Hansen make a push for the starting job next year. This team needs him to.

Agree on Hansen. He got some playing time this year, so Spring ball should be interesting. Cody knows the offense better, but Hansen is going to push him all the way.

 

[The Guest]

On defense, we still make the same mistakes from week one. We can't tackle properly. Our LBs are literally invisible. Okie State must have passed to their TEs and RBs about 15 times last night and we never caught on at all. No adjustments by the coaching staff and no scheme recognition by the players.

Now you people are just ****ing with me, right?

No they're not "literally" invisible, but how cool would it be if they were?

We'd have a lot more sacks, and I'd imagine we produce a lot more turnovers too.

 

[utebuff]

yep...our literally invisible lb's would be right there to intercept when the figuratively emply zone appeared about 10 yards deep.

 

[sackman]

Talking with some folks around our seats, I brought up the point that CU is only down ONE starter on offense from the beginning of the season. Nobody could believe me until I pointed out that that one player is Ryan Miller. Who else is gone? Nobody. Not from the starters, anyway. This team has gotten progressively worse as the season has gone on. That, more than anything else, is what frustrates me. All this talk about "they'll get it together this week" just blows my mind. What on Earth would lead any sane person to think that this team is just a couple plays away from putting it together?

It's looking more and more like the Fairbanks years all the time.

 

[CarolinaBuff]

Talking with some folks around our seats, I brought up the point that CU is only down ONE starter on offense from the beginning of the season. Nobody could believe me until I pointed out that that one player is Ryan Miller. Who else is gone? Nobody. Not from the starters, anyway. This team has gotten progressively worse as the season has gone on. That, more than anything else, is what frustrates me. All this talk about "they'll get it together this week" just blows my mind. What on Earth would lead any sane person to think that this team is just a couple plays away from putting it together?

It's looking more and more like the Fairbanks years all the time.

Interesting. You could make the argument about MTM about to be a starter or at least getting alot of playing time, but you're right, he wasn't a starter at the beginning of the season.

 

[buffsyko]

In 09, our offense will have stewart back, hopefully a healthy scott and 2 more guys in lockridge and polk. Simas will help our wr core and depending on who we sign,the juco could be another help.

With the OL in much better shape with MTM,miller,iltis and tau back,our TE's will actually be part of the offense.

Defense? We look to be fine at cb,but safety we'll see,need to get quicker there. LB position will get a boost with katoa,major and rippy and hopefully sipili is healthy again.

DL? Cunningham hasn't been to bad goree? But once again,who is going to provide a pass rush? Herrod? OBI?

No less than 7 wins in 09, no excuses.

 

[jpbuff]

Interesting. You could make the argument about MTM about to be a starter or at least getting alot of playing time, but you're right, he wasn't a starter at the beginning of the season.

We got into this mess before the season even started. Lets take a look at what it was supposed to be and what we are playing with right now.
To start the season
LT - Solder
LG - Iltis
C - Sanders
RG - Head
LT - Miller
Throw in Sione Tau as a backup

What we have now
LT - Solder, Givens
LG - Behrens, Adkins, Daniels
C - Sanders
RG - Head (playing badly hurt), Eugene Goree, the dude is a dlineman.
LT - Bahr, Dannewitz

With Iltis getting hurt and Sione not eligible this line has had no consistancy from literally day one. Head has played both guard positions, lets not forget he was also suspended for a game and he is not close to 100% right now. We have actually played a d-line on o-line this year and we wonder why we are having problems on offense.

 

[Darth Snow]

Interesting. You could make the argument about MTM about to be a starter or at least getting alot of playing time, but you're right, he wasn't a starter at the beginning of the season.

Jfly plays probably less than 20% of the plays on offense due to injury now, and is limited when he does. You can't count him as still starting.

Also, supposed to start: Simas.

And you are counting Sumler as our starter? Before EVERYONE ELSE WENT DOWN, he never got more carries than the so called "#2" RB.

And cody was so shellacked I would say we lost him for a while as well.

And we are starting crawford at WR. :wow:.

Do NOT downplay the loss of Miller. I would say that cost us at least 1, maybe 2 games. The step down has been absolutely huge.

 

[Bone Buff]

I could type up a really long post on this, but I'll keep it short.

Somehow, our team managed to get younger from last year from injuries, and we're still at the same win total as we were at this time last year.

 

[Junction]

I don't think his prediction is ambitious at all. I have a terrible feeling about this game. We're going to get destroyed.

Spirit doesn't enter into it. Look at our offense. Then look at our special teams. Then look at our run defense, then look at the yardage we gave up to ISU last week. Look at how pathetic we played against A&M and Missouri.

Then look at OSU. They run the ball. They pass the ball. They're better prepared. The ONLY thing we have going for us is that the game is in Boulder. That might translate into a 40 point ass beating as opposed to a 60 point ass beating. I'm not being negative, I'm simply looking at the situation. We are not a good football team, OSU is. I'm sorry, but that's reality. Can we win? I suppose, if all goes well, we get 5+ turnovers and can hit a field goal from time to time. But nothing, and I seriously mean NOTHING we've seen so far this year indicates this team is capable of pulling off the win today.

I'll be there anyway. Screaming my bloody head off.

Originally Posted by bch9
CU can win in two weeks. I just hope they show up like they did against OSU. BUT, this team has got to stop shooting itself in the foot!

Were the two of us watching different games?

Talking with some folks around our seats, I brought up the point that CU is only down ONE starter on offense from the beginning of the season. Nobody could believe me until I pointed out that that one player is Ryan Miller. Who else is gone? Nobody. Not from the starters, anyway. This team has gotten progressively worse as the season has gone on. That, more than anything else, is what frustrates me. All this talk about "they'll get it together this week" just blows my mind. What on Earth would lead any sane person to think that this team is just a couple plays away from putting it together?

It's looking more and more like the Fairbanks years all the time.

So now it doesn't matter if we lost guys who EARNED a starting position after the start of the season, because they weren't in the starting lineup against CSU?? Really? :lol: Whether or not Speedy started the ****ing CSU game, losing him was a big loss. Losing MTM was a huge loss, even though he didn't start week one. Scott has been hobbled most of the year and was out entirely against OSU. And the "oh by the way" one guy who you will admit is out just happens to be the most critical player on the offense. Trying to make it sound like we don't have outrageous injury problems by making it sound like the week 1 lineup contained all the important talent is prety unfair to this team, IMO.

As for you "Fairbanks years" comment, all I can say is :rofl2:. We lost by 13 points to the #12 team in the country. A team you, in your endless optimism :smile2:, predicted would beat us by 40, and that only because we were at home. You have implied the team didn't show up and compete Saturday night. That's not what I saw at all. They were in the game in the fourth quarter against a top 15 team, and with any kind of ****ing kicking game would have been within one score at the end with a chance to win. That's not showing up?? You yourself said OSU is a better team than CU right now. That's true. Especially with pretty much every top recruit Hawkins has brought in not taking the field Saturday night. Am I thrilled with everything I see?? Hell no. But I really think it's pretty sad to declare this the Fairbanks era, say we are doing nothing but getting worse every week, and dismiss some very valid reasons that is happening... :huh:

 

[Bali Buff]

What this team is lacking is a vein popping OC and/or DC that will put the fear of god in these guys on dumb boneheaded plays or when the emotion isn't there..

You know the type. The coach that is ready to suit it up himself, and show the "ladies" how to protect the rock, block, tackle, bullrush and generally get in their faces.

Zen may be fine for those moments in practice when the sun is setting over the flatirons, but fear of failure and leadership are the best motivators when you are going to war with a group.

Hawk can play his role but he needs some coordinators that get lathered up while running up and down the sidelines, waiting to grab you halfway on your way off the field (either to congratulate you or the other, where you are afraid to find out).

Think Bienemy. Man I loved watching him on the sidelines.

 

[Darth Snow]

So now it doesn't matter if we lost guys who EARNED a starting position after the start of the season, because they weren't in the starting lineup against CSU?? Really? Whether or not Speedy started the ****ing CSU game, losing him was a big loss. Losing MTM was a huge loss, even though he didn't start week one. Scott has been hobbled most of the year and was out entirely against OSU. And the "oh by the way" one guy who you will admit is out just happens to be the most critical player on the offense. Trying to make it sound like we don't have outrageous injury problems by making it sound like the week 1 lineup contained all the important talent is prety unfair to this team, IMO.

As for you "Fairbanks years" comment, all I can say is :rofl2:. We lost by 13 points to the #12 team in the country. A team you, in your endless optimism , predicted would beat us by 40, and that only because we were at home. You have implied the team didn't show up and compete Saturday night. That's not what I saw at all. They were in the game in the fourth quarter against a top 15 team, and with any kind of ****ing kicking game would have been within one score at the end with a chance to win. That's not showing up?? You yourself said OSU is a better team than CU right now. That's true. Especially with pretty much every top recruit Hawkins has brought in not taking the field Saturday night. Am I thrilled with everything I see?? Hell no. But I really think it's pretty sad to declare this the Fairbanks era, say we are doing nothing but getting worse every week, and dismiss some very valid reasons that is happening...

:thumbsup: :stupid::yeahthat:











goddamit, I am agreeing with Junc again.

 

[Junction]

goddamit, I am agreeing with Junc again.

YMSSR :saythat:



This is not good. Way too much agreeing going on here...
:keule::doh::shot::scared2:

 

[BuffFan]

So now it doesn't matter if we lost guys who EARNED a starting position after the start of the season, because they weren't in the starting lineup against CSU?? Really? :lol: Whether or not Speedy started the ****ing CSU game, losing him was a big loss. Losing MTM was a huge loss, even though he didn't start week one. Scott has been hobbled most of the year and was out entirely against OSU. And the "oh by the way" one guy who you will admit is out just happens to be the most critical player on the offense. Trying to make it sound like we don't have outrageous injury problems by making it sound like the week 1 lineup contained all the important talent is prety unfair to this team, IMO.

As for you "Fairbanks years" comment, all I can say is :rofl2:. We lost by 13 points to the #12 team in the country. A team you, in your endless optimism :smile2:, predicted would beat us by 40, and that only because we were at home. You have implied the team didn't show up and compete Saturday night. That's not what I saw at all. They were in the game in the fourth quarter against a top 15 team, and with any kind of ****ing kicking game would have been within one score at the end with a chance to win. That's not showing up?? You yourself said OSU is a better team than CU right now. That's true. Especially with pretty much every top recruit Hawkins has brought in not taking the field Saturday night. Am I thrilled with everything I see?? Hell no. But I really think it's pretty sad to declare this the Fairbanks era, say we are doing nothing but getting worse every week, and dismiss some very valid reasons that is happening... :huh:

:congrats:

 

[FlatironsBuff]

yep...our literally invisible lb's would be right there to intercept when the figuratively emply zone appeared about 10 yards deep.

I call bull****. If they are invisible, then they can take the snap from the QB and run it in for a touchdown on every play!!!:smile2:

 

[Mr. Babar]

What this team is lacking is a vein popping OC and/or DC that will put the fear of god in these guys on dumb boneheaded plays or when the emotion isn't there..

You know the type. The coach that is ready to suit it up himself, and show the "ladies" how to protect the rock, block, tackle, bullrush and generally get in their faces.

Zen may be fine for those moments in practice when the sun is setting over the flatirons, but fear of failure and leadership are the best motivators when you are going to war with a group.

Hawk can play his role but he needs some coordinators that get lathered up while running up and down the sidelines, waiting to grab you halfway on your way off the field (either to congratulate you or the other, where you are afraid to find out).

Think Bienemy. Man I loved watching him on the sidelines.

I said this after the Mizzou game and got ripped for it, but I agree. I also think some of our veterans, i.e. Barnett holdovers, grew accustomed to getting waxed and not stressing about it. Let's get fired up for something. Next year will be better, but let's beat the Corn.

 

[sackman]

We were in the game in the 4th quarter? OMG.

Guys, that game was never in doubt. I'm getting awfully frustrated with the "moral victory" BS that is floating around here lately. I accept no moral victories.

"Geez sacky, you said we'd get beat by 40, but we only lost by 13, why aren't you happy?"

 

[Darth Snow]

We were in the game in the 4th quarter? OMG.

Guys, that game was never in doubt. I'm getting awfully frustrated with the "moral victory" BS that is floating around here lately. I accept no moral victories.

"Geez sacky, you said we'd get beat by 40, but we only lost by 13, why aren't you happy?"

does it help that barring unforeseen circumstances, this year is the end of "moral" victories for me as acceptable outcomes?

 

[Deleted member 807]

The Mizzou 58-0 rout left me despondant.

And with OSU whooping Mizzou earlier in the season, the stage was set for epic humiliation #3 of the Hawkins era.

No one in their right mind values a moral victory over a literal (oh yes I did, Wally) victory.

But there is something to be said for CU not getting humiliated at home. Based on how poor the offense and ST play has been this season, that OSU game could have been a bigger disaster than it was.

Instead, CU beat the spread and the D kept OSU honest in the red zone.

 

[sackman]

"Beat the spread" "kept it from getting out of hand" "respectable" are all code words for losing. I'm not playing that game. Losing is losing, whether it's respectable or not.

 

[Junction]

"Beat the spread" "kept it from getting out of hand" "respectable" are all code words for losing. I'm not playing that game. Losing is losing, whether it's respectable or not.

Sacky, NOBODY likes losing. But the fact of the matter is that OSU is 13 points better than we are right now, especially given the injuries we have. Does that mean we're back to the Fairbanks era? I don't think so, even remotely. But the fact is that we lost by 13 to a team you thought would beat us by 40. That, to me, is why I have a problem with saying that the players didn't show up. I didn't see this, at all, as a game where the players quit or dogged it. We were in the game in the fourth quarter. No, I didn't expect we would pull it out, but I didn't expect we'd pull out the OU game last year, either. This game was a billion times better than Mizzou. It was better than the UT effort. Hell, it was a better effort than KU. Yes, it was still a loss, but I don't agree with the statement that it represents this team getting worse every week.

Right now we're a young team with an unbelievable ****load of injuries. We win some games, we compete some games and we get smoked some games. Before Hawk came in we were an experienced team with a normal number of injuries. And we won some games, we competed some games and we got blown out a ****load of times (70-3, anyone?). In between, the program hit bottom. Some of us hate the losing but believe we see progress. I guess if you don't see progress, all there is to dwell on is losing. That would be a sucky place to be... :huh: