Colorado University Athletics
Question Of Who Has Edge In Buffs-Rams Game An Intriguing One
August 10, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — As the Colorado Buffaloes' Sept. 1 season opener against Colorado State inches closer and closer on the calendar, a central question becomes more and more intriguing:
Because CSU opens the season a week earlier (Aug. 26) against Oregon State, who has the advantage? The Rams, who play first and thus have the opportunity to get those first-game jitters and mistakes out of the way while also getting valuable experience? Or the Buffs, who will have game film from the Rams, a rock-solid opportunity to scout them and determine tendencies, analyze personnel groups and identify strengths and weaknesses?
Opinions vary. Some Colorado assistants have said they like the idea of having the chance to see the Rams first, particularly against a quality opponent. As one CU offensive assistant said, "They'll have to play all their cards in that game. They're not going to be able to hide anything against Oregon State. We'll get a good look at what they have."
But even with that, the head coaches of both teams have said publicly that it might be the Rams who own the edge.
"I'm concerned that CSU plays OSU before us," Buffs head coach Mike MacIntyre said Thursday morning. "I wish I would have known that a long time ago, we would have played a 'zero-week' game."
MacIntyre's biggest concern is that the Rams will have "game-speed" experience under their belts. While teams always try to replicate game speed in practice, it's difficult to attain — particularly when such factors as adrenaline, crowd noise and simple nerves are factored into the equation. Throw in the fact that it will be CU's season opener in front of a large crowd at a neutral stadium and it's something MacIntyre admits is a concern.
"That gives them a big advantage, at least the beginning of the game for sure," MacIntyre said. "We're going to have to find a way get the tempo of the game. We'll probably scrimmage a little more than we would have in the past to try to get that there. Hopefully we'll be able to come out of the gates fast, but that gives them a huge advantage, to me. I'm concerned about that."
Earlier this summer, CSU head coach Mike Bobo said he could see both negatives and positives. But overall, Bobo said, he believes playing the week before will give his Rams a slight edge — especially since the Rams' opener will be the program's first game ever in CSU's new stadium.
"There's a couple pluses," Bobo said. "One, you're going to play in a big-time environment, opening the new stadium. It's going to be a packed house and there's going to be pressure from opening your new stadium and playing well. Our guys and our young guys are going to feel that pressure. There's obviously going to be pressure in Game 2 when you're playing your big rival Rocky Mountain Showdown. … You can't duplicate that kind of pressure."
Bobo also likes the fact that his Rams will see a quality opponent in their opener.
"You're going to have to strain a little bit more," Bobo said. "(Then) you're used to the strain going into that second week. You can't replicate some of the size and speed in our practices that we're going to see. Going against an opponent that has similar type players and depth, you're going to have to strain in that first game and that will help you in Game 2."
The biggest benefit for the Buffs, of course, will be the opportunity to closely scout and analyze the Rams. CU's staff should have a much more in-depth analysis of Colorado State than vice versa.
"You have to show some cards," Bobo allowed. "Obviously they've got tape of us the last two years and they know kind of what I do as an offensive coordinator, what we do defensively. But you've got a new team every year so your identity might be a little bit different. They'll kind of have an idea of who we are, what we're trying to do offensively, defensively, special teams, where we don't have any idea with them."
And therein may lie one of the more subtle — but important — factors in the equation.
Coaching staffs usually spend much of their time in the summer preparing a game plan for the season opener, particularly when it's a quality opponent. They will, obviously, look at every team on the schedule, but it is the opener that is front and center.
It means CSU's coaches are concentrating a little more on Oregon State and a little less on Colorado than if the Buffs were their opener. While they are no doubt studying CU as well, it's still the Beavers who are foremost on their radar — particularly with the game being the debut of their new stadium.
That brings into play an interesting stat: while the Buffs have a commanding 64-22-2 edge all-time in the series (10-5 in Denver), the Rams have won just once in 10 tries against Colorado when the game is not their season opener.
Another possible edge for the Buffs?
The Rams must prepare for an almost entirely Colorado new defensive staff, including coordinator D.J. Eliot.
"We're watching film from Kentucky from when D.J. was there," Bobo said.
But as MacIntyre has said repeatedly, one big edge for the Rams is their opportunity to get the first-game nerves and mistakes out of the way. Bobo hopes such an opportunity pays off.
"You see penalties and stuff in the first game, guys jumping offsides, guys making mistakes — hopefully you can get some of that out of you," he said.
LANG LOOKS GOOD: One of the more highly touted recruits for the Buffs in the last signing class was defensive end Terrance Lang.
Lang, though, didn't arrive on campus until just before fall camp began, as he was finishing up some academic work at home in California. That meant he didn't have the opportunity to participate in summer strength and conditioning.
Still, MacIntyre said CU's coaches have liked what they've seen.
"Terrance has done real well," MacIntyre said. "He's really athletic. He has to gain some weight. He had lost 35 pounds since we signed him, now he's gaining it back. Physically he's not ready to play this year. He might be in six weeks because he's already gained five pounds since he got here. I think he's going to be an excellent, excellent player; he's just not big enough right now to play defensive end in the Pac-12 inside. But he's getting better and better. He's going to be really good."
MacIntyre, who said it won't be a problem for Lang to put the weight he lost back on, also said Lang is a likely candidate for a redshirt unless the Buffs experience a rash of injuries on the defensive line.
SUNSHINE RETURNS: MacIntyre welcomed the return of some warmer temperatures to Thursday morning's practice. While the players no doubt have enjoyed the cooler weather this week, MacIntyre said hot days are a plus in fall camp.
"You need it," he said. "September first (the Buffs' opening date this year), it's been hot the last few years. Then we play the next two games at 12 noon, and then we go to UCLA (Sept. 30). The last time we went there at the end of September, it was really hot in the Rose Bowl. We're in great shape, but to me it's the mental side of it. You're sweating more and fighting through it, so you're able to think under that duress. I'm glad we got some today."
PRACTICE NOTES: The Buffs got plenty of work in Thursday on their kicking game, with MacIntyre continuing to like what he sees. "The kickers looked excellent," he said. …
The Buffs also got some two-minute work in as they continue to hone their up-tempo attack, and it produced some big plays … The competition at wide receiver continues to be fierce. Kabion Ento got into the mix with several nice catches and Lee Walker gathered in a nicely thrown long ball from Sam Noyer. … Phillip Lindsay looked sharp on a couple of runs, in particular a quick burst up the middle that produced some big yards. … Chris Mulumba, Leo Jackson III, Derek McCartney and Dante Sparaco all had their moments on the defensive front. … Evan Worthington had an outstanding diving knockdown of a pass from Steven Montez over the middle. Montez came back on the next play, however, to throw a perfect strike to Juwann Winfree, just past the outstretched arms of a defender.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will be back in light pads Friday and are scheduled to hold a scrimmage, their second of fall camp, on Saturday before taking Sunday off.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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