A look at the Buffaloes rebuilding and future
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by MECU
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I read in an article earlier today that the Colorado Buffaloes haven't really achieved much success or great strides in improvement from last year to this year and it made me mad. Partly because it's from the local Daily Camera writer Kyle Ringo, who is typically more positive about his coverage, but also I don't think it took into the account the whole picture of where we were last year. Ringo was probably still upset over believing in the Buffs before getting stomped by Mizzu, which is the worst thing to happen to a fan.
But back to the major issue: The Buffs were horrible last year and much worse than the 2-10 record shows. We lost to Baylor, is there much worse for a Big 12 North team? Oh yeah, that DI-AA team. But we knew things were going to be trouble that season, we just didn't know how bad. Not having a real quarterback to play this system (no offense to Jackson and the others, but they aren't a QB that this system needs) and we lacked some solid linemen and WRs and well, were playing with guys left over from the Barnett era where they figure not to change for just one year. We were flat out terrible, and somehow got a big win over Texas Tech at home that we didn't deserve and some other win that isn't memorable (Iowa State).
And now, almost a year later we are 5-5 with the #3 toughest schedule, and we haven't gotten anywhere? I completely, flat out, no doubt about it disagree. We have 2 solid quarterbacks, a regular starter with some career numbers and solid backup. We have some great talents at WRs and O-line. We were picked to go 5-7 at the start of the season (including me), and we've already matched that. The best part is we have 2 win-able games left that can beat that projection and make it to a bowl game. I can't fathom the idea that going to a bowl game, even if it is the <Insert random .com company here> Bowl, would not be a leap and bound above from 1 season ago where we were lucky to win a game. Even in an era where 50% of teams make bowl game, going from the laughingstock to upper half is a leap and bound.
One thing I have not mentioned so far is the defense: They have never been down though this whole process. Some nay-sayers would point to 55 by Mizzu as being down. But I disagree again because the offense was struggling and forcing the defense to play so much. I'm not saying this is even an okay instance of how to run a defense (can we please tackle the guy when the 4th guy gets there?), but certainly our defense played their best against a team that could have put many more points up.
You can't build a powerhouse in one year. Essentially "starting from scratch" and in two years getting a bowl game is a leap and bound. Look at the time and effort that some teams have taken to rise to a bowl game (Rice, Rutgers, the list goes on and on) and try and tell me again that a 2 year turnaround isn't a leap and bound.
I went back to before the 1990 national championship and a look at the records. There is some startling comparisons: (records do not include bowl game win or loss)(all years listed are in the McCartney era)
- 1984: 1-10, with a blowout 52-7 by Mizzu and 55-14 by Notre Dame, no bowl game
- 1985: 7-4, with a blowout 31-0 loss by Oklahoma, with a bowl game loss to Washington
- 1986: 6-5, with a 0-4 start to the season, with a bowl game loss to Baylor
- 1987: 7-4, no bowl game
- 1988: 8-3, bowl game loss to BYU
- 1989: 11-0, lost national championship in the bowl game to Notre Dame
- 1990: 10-1-1, won national championship
When the final regular season poll for 1989 was released, the Colorado Buffaloes had taken only seven years to go from 110th to number one in the country.(cite)
- 2006: 2-10
- 2007: 5-5 (currently, before last two games)
- 2008: ?
- 2009: ?
- 2010: Ryan Miller (OT) promised Buff fans a national championship by the end of this season.
- 2011: NC?
- 2012: NC?
There's still no doubt Hawkins is the right man and the perfect coaching fit in Colorado. We've just discovered over this journey how bad we were to start, and how amazing the future looks to be (see recruiting class verbals). The question is: Are we willing to let Hawkins continue his rise long enough? If it takes 7 years but his contract is only 5 years, will he get extended if he only manages 8 win seasons? Looking at the past should be a sign that he should be kept until he wants to leave (as McCartney did) or we return to bottom-dweller status.
Even ending up 5-7, I will be satisfied. Ending up 6-6 more than pleased and 7-5 ecstatic. No one expected 13-0, but to be down on a team for achieving the success that was possible is a terrible and unforgivable mistake by anyone who is affiliated in any way (fan, reporter, mother of student) with Colorado football.
