Who would have thought that after going 2-10 last year and an offense that was offensive, that the University of Colorado would be bowl eligible the next season?  It was a possibility in my mind, but a highly optimistic one.  Coach Hawk has done Buffalo alumni proud after what he has accomplished this year. 

The non-conference schedule went according to my plan in going 2-2, with a convincing win over Miami (OH), and a thrilling OT win over Colorado State, then here comes the big one...Oklahoma.  One student writer practically showed CU zero respect with, among other comments, referring to Hugh Charles as Jamaal Charles, the Texas RB (and OU's opponent following Colorado) and maybe the team was looking ahead in blowing a 17 point lead in the biggest win this program has seen since defeating Texas in the Big 12 title game in 2001. 

Here's where the roller coaster ride starts.  The Buffs hammer Baylor, but then lay a huge egg in Manhattan.  They had a solid performance against Kansas (and not for a Hugh Charles fumble and Kevin Eberhart missed FG, CU wins that one), and laid a huge egg against Missouri (who will win in KC against the Jayhawks) and against Iowa State.  A great win in Lubbock against Texas Tech leads two teams heading in opposite directions to Boulder this morning (or afternoon since it started noon my time). 

Nebraska's offense looked dominant in the second quarter doing what ever they wanted against a secondary missing their best player in Terrance Wheatley.  Ganz did a good job running the offense, then unfortunately for Nebraska, halftime came.  Before you know it, Colorado rolls of 34 straight and seizes control and ends up the big winner. 

Coach Hawk has this team on the right track.  It was unrealistic to expect Colorado to compete for a Big 12 North title this year, but as a Buffalo fan, I'm pleased with finishing 3rd in the Big 12 North.  This is a team with youth all over the place offensively, namely at QB, LG, RT, and WR.  All these positions have either true or redshirt freshmen starting, and they're only going to get better.  Once Hawk gets the junk that Barnett left behind out (for the most part, he did leave some talent behind, like Dizon), and gets his guys in place, Colorado will be a perennial contender for the Big 12 North title every year, and back on the college football map where they belong. 

As for Coach Hawk's rant about not being intramurals, I loved it!  Boulder is a different kind of town, as any Colorado native can tell you.  Hawk has to try to change the culture up there, and Big 12 football ain't intramurals brother...unless you live in Lincoln, where any intramural defense would be an improvement over the alleged blackshirts that were dressed in all white on the Folsom Field turf today.