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Pregame Thread - CU vs CSU at Mile High

dio

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Junta Member
We have some of this discussion spread amongst various threads, but we just a few weeks to go, it is time to consolidate the game discussion. Let's keep this thread focused on the football aspects of this game, not about the validity of the RMS overall.

So, there is some debate about how much of a step back the CSU OLine is going to take this season, after graduating many seniors.

It came out from their scrimmage yesterday that one of their OT's Hatahway, who is a 5th year senior with some experience, busted up his knee. The extent of the injury isn't known quite yet, but Coach Sparkles is supposed to announce it today.

CSU was very reliant upon the run last year to open up their offense, so I think the story with the CSU OLine is the storyline for the game overall.
 
Here is the injury report I found at the Coloradoan from their scrimmage yesterday. Copied from the other thread.

Checking out the report from their scrimmage yesterday,

OT Hathaway was out due to a knee injury. Coaches said they will determine his status next week

LB Cory James had arthroscopic knee surgery this week and will not be able to resume practice until at least the end of next week.

S Jake Schlager (apparent special teams star according to the Coloradoan) left the scrimmage due to an ankle injury. Severity not yet known.
 
I don't know their depth chart - are all these guys starters?
 
Hopefully the Buffs **** them in the ass like the punk bitches they are. The more times CU blows out this second rate team the sooner the series goes away.

Go Buffs!
 
Am I crazy in thinking that this is best matchup scenario we've had with them in years?
 
I've said it before, but because this is now the "official" CSU discussion thread, I'll say it again: CU should bury CSU. On paper, this game isn't even close. For as much as we've bitched and moaned about our recruiting the last four years, we've been consistently 15-20 spots better than CSU every year. We have better athletes all up and down the roster. Add in the fact that they've lost two of their biggest playmakers (one on offense, the other on defense) and 4/5 of their starting OL, this game is shaping up to be an old fashioned mud stomping.

Games aren't won on paper, though. I expect CSU to come out fired up. CU will need to get a turnover or two, and keep the special teams gaffes to a minimum. If they do that, CU wins easily.
 
Am I crazy in thinking that this is best matchup scenario we've had with them in years?

Well from what I gather, it appears that their weaknesses are our strengths and visa versa this year. Depending on the severity of these injuries that scenario could change. However if Tupou and Solis are as good as advertised, they should be able to spend all evening in the CSU backfield.
 
Correction: Hathaway is not the 1st Team RT by right. Their starting RT messed up his knee in spring ball, not sure on his status for the opener. So they are now down 2 RT's
 
Posted it elsewhere, but this is a great breakdown of CSU. http://www.sbnation.com/2014/4/9/5591332/colorado-state-football-2014-preview-schedule-roster


  • They ran a pretty balanced offense, but they lose their top 3 backs, and the TE & 4/5 of what was one of the MWC's best O-lines.
  • They return Grayson, but none of their back ups have taken a snap yet. Their WRs are extremely pedestrian.
  • On defense last year, they played one of the nations most aggressive break don't bend defenses. They broke, a lot.
  • They were great at stopping the run, but horrific at stopping the deep ball, particularly on standard downs.
  • They loses 3/4 on the defensive line. They also lose rushing LB Shaq Barrett who accounted for ~40% of their total sacks. The other 3 LBs return, and are pretty good.
  • Their secondary returns 3 of the "top" 4 and their 2 deep, but those guys sucked last year.

Hard to imagine their offense and defense not taking a step or two back.
 
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The counter argument is that CU lost it's most explosive offensive weapon, too. However, that's really the extent of CU's losses. So while it will be a challenge to replace PRich's production, I don't think they're depending on any single player to do that. I expect to see a lot of Spruce, Bobo, Goodson and yes, Fields in this game in addition to a steady diet of Powell and Adkins. If what we're hearing about their DL is correct, we should have a lot of success running right at them.
 
I am getting absolutely pumped for the season to start. I have very modest expectations for W-L, but I also am starting to believe that Mac is righting the ship.

The CSU game always scares the crap out of me for all of the known reasons about playing the Rammies, but I think CU can win this game comfortably given the following issues CSU is facing:

1. Loss of O-line and RB's - CSU was decimated by graduation and attrition in this area. Their offensive success is predicated on these being in place. I think CSU will get better as the season progresses, but CU is playing them at the right time.
2. Loss of D-line and Barrett - Again, the battle is won in the trenches and CSU is breaking in new and undersized players, and Barrett was a beast.
3. Talent - The gap is not as wide as it used to be, but the gap is still definitely there.
4. Experience - Colorado is returning a lot of starters and experience from last year.
5. Sparkles - I think he is a decent coach, but Mac has a record of beating him consistently. Plus Sparkles teams tend to start the season slowly.
 
I think this game is not close by the end, CU by at least 17 points. But depending on how we start, it could be close for a while. Our depth and overall team speed compared to the Rammies should carry the day by a long shot. I reserve the right to change this forecast in case something unexpected happens.
 
Food for thought; C. Wood carved up their secondary last year. A more seasoned Sefo is by far better than Connor (not bagging on Connor; good kid).

Also, I am so pumped for actual Buff football to start it's ridiculous.
 
Correction: Hathaway is not the 1st Team RT by right. Their starting RT messed up his knee in spring ball, not sure on his status for the opener. So they are now down 2 RT's

Yep, neither RT is currently practicing.
 
csu fans on lamenation are thinking this year's Buffs team is the least talented one in years ... :yeah_right:
 
Adkins needs to be a difference maker offensively...hopefully we can pound the ball with the running game and open up big plays for Bobo and Fields in the play action pass.

Defensively, our front four has got to be in top pressure mode...free up Gillam and the linebackers and double team Higgins because he is a good receiver
 
CU wins this one, CSU sucks canal water. When does the game return to Boulder, where it should be played?
 
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Adkins needs to be a difference maker offensively...hopefully we can pound the ball with the running game and open up big plays for Bobo and Fields in the play action pass.

Defensively, our front four has got to be in top pressure mode...free up Gillam and the linebackers and double team Higgins because he is a good receiver

Lol we don't have to double Higgins. Hendo will be just fine handling him
 
csu fans on lamenation are thinking this year's Buffs team is the least talented one in years ... :yeah_right:

It's a simple conclusion to come to. PRich is gone, so the overall talent level must have dropped. Of course, that's absurd, but that's the likd of logic they're employing.
 
csu fans on lamenation are thinking this year's Buffs team is the least talented one in years ... :yeah_right:
Really? This is one of or the most talented since Hansen and Speedy were here...IMO. I see a huge talent drop off for the lammies with so many seniors leaving.
 
I think it's up to our DTs... I have no faith in our DE's to get any push, even with a decimated group of tackles. They are young, and have to prove the benefit of the doubt.

That said, Tupou should still be all over them all day. He does that, and their offense will sputter. If Tupou and the interior DL don't get it done, we better hope the offense is ready for a shootout.
 
I think it's up to our DTs... I have no faith in our DE's to get any push, even with a decimated group of tackles. They are young, and have to prove the benefit of the doubt.

That said, Tupou should still be all over them all day. He does that, and their offense will sputter. If Tupou and the interior DL don't get it done, we better hope the offense is ready for a shootout.

If we can't win the LOS in that matchup, then this is going to be a long season. This is the weakest OLine we will see all year, outside of Mass and Hawaii.
 
If we can't win the LOS in that matchup, then this is going to be a long season. This is the weakest OLine we will see all year, outside of Mass and Hawaii.
Yes. It's going to be a long year anyways, :lol:
 
As Sacky said, this has the makings of being a beating on paper with the Buffs running away with it. Paper and on the field can differ dramatically but I do not think that will be the case this year. I know we will more than likely need to withstand the emotional start from CSU, but I believe we will take control and start to roll. We are stronger, have more depth, better talent and I believe better game day coaching. I do not think this one is close and we have it well in hand by mid third quarter. Sorry Duff, but I see this one as a blowout.
 
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