The Colorado Buffaloes who just received 33 votes in the AP Top 25 Poll are 3-1 on the season after a 41-38 win over Oregon. This weekend in Boulder, the Buffs will host Oregon State, today we open the week with a 3-2-1 column, as we tell you three things we learned, ask two questions, and make one prediction.
Don't Miss: Who wouldn't want to play for Coach MacIntyre
What We Learned
1. Colorado can win a street fight: In the first two games of the season, we saw that Colorado can overpower opponents with their big defensive front and score nearly at will against teams they should put away.
In week 3 we learned they can play with the nation’s best as they took it to Michigan in the first half and this past Saturday we learned that Colorado has enough talent on both sides of the football to win a PAC 12 street fight. In today’s college football world, you need to be able to score big points (Colorado is averaging 42.25 points per game), especially in the PAC 12: This past weekend Washington beat Arizona 35-28, Arizona State beat CAL 51-31, Utah beat USC 31-27, and Colorado beat Oregon 41-38.
The offense proved under second string quarterback Steven Montez that their offensive system has enough talent within their receiving corps to put up big gains and go head to head with any secondary they face one-on-one. That key offensive trait is going to come play a vital role as they continue their stretch against other teams that can score just as quickly.
2. Co-Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren and Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt are big reasons why Colorado beat Oregon: What an outstanding job these two coaches have done through week 4. Lindgren who does not get nearly the credit he deserves by the media or the fan base is the Offensive Coordinator who actually calls the plays on the field: His offense is scoring 42.25 points per game which is 4th best in the PAC 12.
The Buffs’ quick strike first half offense has put nearly every opponent they have faced into a big hole to start the game: In fact, Colorado’s offense has outscored opponents in the first half: 127-41. On the defensive side of the football, Jim Leavitt has excelled in his second year with Colorado and he’s quickly proving he’s one of the best defensive minded coaches in the PAC 12.
The Buff’s defense is ranked as the 36th best defensive in the Nation allowing an average of 161.5 yards passing per game and an average of 145.0 yards rushing yards per game, those are tremendous feats considering they’ve already played both Michigan and Oregon.
3. Beating Oregon was impressive from a recruiting standpoint: You jump up on Michigan in the Big House and the following week you beat Oregon in Autzen Stadium, your program is going to turn heads by college football writers and recruiting targets.
Attending the Oregon game was: Rivals.com 4-star tight end Josh Falo who’s brother NJ is a linebacker for Colorado and Trajon Cotton, the dynamic 3-star athlete who also has major college attention. Both prospects attend Inderkum High School in Sacramento and both are high on the Colorado recruiting board.
Here is what Rivals.com’s West Coast Analyst Adam Gorney had to say following the victory: "It's really big and for this reason. Kids were watching that game and saw the offense running great, saw Bryce Bobo's incredible catch and now can see themselves playing and thriving in that environment. No longer will kids choose Colorado because others hadn't offered or for just a chance to get on the field. This team is playing great, kids love the offense and that win could be huge on landing top targets."
As noted on CUSportsNation.com at the beginning of last week, the Buffs will host a ton of big time talent this weekend against the Beavers, you can see the entire list here
Two Questions
1. Who will start at quarterback against Oregon State?
We’ll know more on the health of senior starting quarterback Sefo Liufau as the week progresses, but obviously, RS-Freshman Steven Montez proved this past weekend against Oregon he is capable of taking over the reins at quarterback for the Buffs.
With Colorado opening as a 16.5 favorite against a 1-2 Oregon State team, you have to think that Montez is again named the starter for this weekend until Liufau is 100% healthy from his ankle injury he suffered against Michigan in week 3.
It’s way too early to gauge or speculate that Colorado has a quarterback battle, the situation is: Liufau is the starter and Montez shined on a big stage when he was needed, just as a quality No. 2’s are supposed to produce in big time programs.
2. Will Colorado cover the 16.5 spread against the Beavers?
This is an interesting matchup for Colorado this weekend as they enter as the big favorite on Saturday mid-day against a team on paper they should put away early.
The Buffs cannot take this game lightly and while this game is not really considered a trap game, there is no need to pump the brakes against the Beavers, Colorado needs to let the offensive RPM’s roar and continue to flex their defensive potency for two reasons: Momentum, it’s very important during the middle of the season to have plenty of it when playing against conference foes that have had your number for years, the second reason is recruiting.
Colorado will host more than 10 prospects from across the nation this coming Saturday, along with rolling out the red carpet as a program you want to show where this program is headed or that the program is continuing on The Rise.
One Prediction
1. Colorado’s next commitment is not far away: Though Colorado has 19 committed prospects from the Class of 2017, the Buffs’ last commitment came back on August 2nd. That was before fall camp really got rolling and before the Buffs have shown they are a top 25 type team.
The Buffs are currently battling for some of the nation’s top uncommitted prospects, one of them is 6-foot-4, 305 pound Greg Rogers out of Arbor View, Nevada who will be in Colorado this weekend.
Rogers has said publicly that USC, UCLA, Arizona State, Oklahoma, and Colorado are his top 5. With Colorado playing so well and the depth chart suited for a true freshman defensive tackle to play early, Roger’s is going to find Colorado very appealing. While the next commitment might not be Rogers, plenty of recruits are taking notice of the Buffs’ early season performance.
Related
Who wouldn't want to play for Coach MacIntyre
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Videos/Photos/Social Media of Colorado's Victory over Oregon
Read: Who wouldn't want to play for Coach MacIntyre
He's coaching from his heart. His passion about this program and the kids is evident. What 4th Year Colorado Head Football Coach Mike MacIntyre has done has not been easy. Since taking over in Colorado in 2013 the Buffs have been a dismal 3-25 in conference play. However, with their recent 3-1 start beating Oregon at Autzen Stadium and going toe to toe with Michigan in week 3, it's clear MacIntyre and his staff have arrived.
