Road to Redemption: Coach Jeff Callahan and the Colorado Buffaloes (NCAA 14/XBOX 360)

[RoyHahn]

Mispost - apologies

[RoyHahn]

ESPN College Football Weekly
Week 2, 2013


Coaches Poll – Week 2

1 Alabama (1–0)
2 Ohio State (1–0)
3 Georgia (1–0)
4 Stanford (0–0)
5 Texas A&M (1–0)
6 Oregon (1–0)
7 Notre Dame (1–0)
8 Florida (1–0)
9 Louisville (0–0)
10 LSU (1–0)
11 Oklahoma (1–0)
12 Florida State (1–0)
13 Texas (0–0)
14 Clemson (0–1)
15 Boise State (1–0)
16 North Carolina (1–0)
17 South Carolina (0–1)
18 Michigan (0–0)
19 UCLA (1–0)
20 Kansas State (1–0)
21 Nebraska (1–0)
22 Oregon State (1–0)
23 TCU (0–1)
24 Ole Miss (1–0)
25 Arizona State (0–0)

Others Receiving Votes: Mississippi State (181), Oklahoma State (175), California (119), Miami (50), Iowa (9)

Dropped Out: Oklahoma State (#16), Northern Illinois (#24), Vanderbilt (#25)

Pac-12 Conference Standings

Pac-12 North Conference Standings - Updated: Sep 2, 2013
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	DIV
No. 22 Oregon State	1-0	1.000	0-0	38	7	0-0
California	1-0	1.000	0-0	34	21	0-0
No. 6 Oregon	1-0	1.000	0-0	35	18	0-0
Washington State	0-1	0.000	0-0	26	34	0-0
Washington	0-1	0.000	0-0	14	28	0-0
No. 4 Stanford	0-0	0.000	0-0	0	0	0-0

Pac-12 South Conference Standings - Updated: Sep 2, 2013
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	DIV
Arizona	1-0	1.000	0-0	42	17	0-0
Colorado	1-0	1.000	0-0	42	38	0-0
Utah	1-0	1.000	0-0	35	9	0-0
No. 19 UCLA	1-0	1.000	0-0	34	14	0-0
USC	0-1	0.000	0-0	20	27	0-0
No. 25 Arizona State	0-0	0.000	0-0	0	0	0-0

Heisman Watch – Week 2



QB Mike Booker
Texas A&M – Sophomore (RS)

QB Mark Gilmore
Alabama – Senior (RS)

QB Scott Franklin
Ohio State – Junior

QB Chip Anderson
Louisville – Junior

QB Cedric Hargrove
Oregon – Sophomore (RS)

Note: Candidates are colored orange if their position has not changed, green if they have moved up and red if they have moved down.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NCAA Players of the Week
Offense: HB Dallas Roach, SO, Nebraska
Defense: CB Justin Rivera, SR, Iowa

Pac-12 Players of the Week
Offense: HB David Robinson, SO, Colorado
Defense: SS Jared Butler, SR, Colorado


COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP STORIES

TOP TEAMS STRUGGLE

Opening weekend is a time for teams to work out the kinks. Judging by how things went for some of the top-ranked teams in the country, this time was sorely needed. Buffalo challenged Ohio State only and the Buckeyes were only able to pull away late for a 38–14 victory. Rice traded touchdowns with Texas A&M for three quarters until the Aggies won 45–28. Oregon had trouble holding off Nicholls State, winning 35–18. Most egregiously, Florida was tied with Toledo until the game’s final minute, and avoided disaster by winning 27–20. Other teams, like Oklahoma, had similar struggles. Whether this indicates calamity to come is difficult to guess, but one thing is for sure: a lot of eyes will be on these teams as they play their next games. All of these teams have legitimate shots at the national championship, but improvement is needed.

SEC SHOWDOWN BETWEEN THE HEDGES

The 3 Georgia Bulldogs host the 17 South Carolina Gamecocks this Saturday. Last year, Steve Spurrier’s squad handed the Bulldogs their only regular season defeat – a 35–7 thrashing. Both teams went on to have successful seasons, with Georgia falling just short against Alabama in the SEC Championship, where a win would have meant a bid in the BCS national title game. Can the Gamecocks do it again? Coming off an upset loss to North Carolina in the season opener, Spurrier and his players need to regroup fast to have any shot against Mark Richt and the Dawgs, who just beat the Gamecocks’ in-state rival Clemson.

FIGHTING IRISH VISIT THE BIG HOUSE

A four-touchdown victory over Temple in the season opener has Coach Brian Kelly feeling pretty good about his 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. A chance to avenge last season’s national championship game humiliation depends on whether the Irish can navigate one of the toughest schedule’s in the country. On their slate are four teams currently ranked in the Top 25: 18 Michigan, 11 Oklahoma, 25 Arizona State and 4 Stanford. Michigan is this weekend and the Irish are due to travel to one of the sport’s toughest venues. Brady Hoke and the Wolverines are looking for a statement win of their own as they open their season in this marquee matchup.

OTHER UPCOMING GAMES
Kentucky at 6 Oregon
Northwestern at 8 Florida
Virginia Tech at 9 Louisville
West Virginia at 11 Oklahoma
13 Texas at BYU
Hawaii at 22 Oregon State

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[RoyHahn]

GAME PREVIEW

Matchup Preview *|* September 7, 2013
	@
Central Arkansas Bears (0-0, 0-0 Away)		Colorado Buffaloes (1-0, 0-0 Home)

Central Arkansas Bears
Overall: 63
Offense: 65
Defense: 65

Colorado Buffaloes
Overall: 79
Offense: 81
Defense: 78

Predicted Winner: Colorado
Predicted Score: 41–27

After a rowdy shootout against Colorado State in Denver, the Buffaloes come home to Folsom Field for their home opener against the Central Arkansas Bears of the FCS.

Colorado racked up over 600 yards of total offense last week, and you can expect quarterback Danny Roberts and running back David Robinson to both have big games. Coach Jeff Callahan and offensive coordinator Mike Mitchell called a very balanced offensive attack against Colorado State, and they will likely do the same here. While it may be tempting for Callahan and Mitchell to use this game to experiment with plays, they have to stay focused on the task at hand: winning.

That is because it is very likely Central Arkansas will be able to score. The Colorado defense was porous as could be in the season opener. Colorado State gashed the Buffs on the ground and ran up the yards through the air as well en route to over 430 yards of total offense and 38 points. The Bears are less talented than the Rams were, but expect them to be able to move the ball on Colorado – especially at the start of the game. Defensive coordinator Alvin Gresham has some quality players to fit his scheme, namely senior safety Jared Butler. But he has to use this game to plug some of the holes that were exposed last week.

All in all, this has the makings of a solid Colorado win, but it would not be surprising to see Central Arkansas stay within striking distance most of the way. If all goes according to plan, Colorado will begin the year 2–0, having already doubled last year’s win total.

[RoyHahn]

BUFFS TRIUMPH IN SLOPPY AFFAIR
NINE TOTAL TURNOVERS AS COLORADO WINS 30–20

Central Arkansas Bears at Colorado Buffaloes
Sep 7, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Central Arkansas Bears (0-1)	7	6	7	0	20
Colorado Buffaloes (2-0)	0	17	0	13	30

Team Stats Comparison
	CARK	COLO
Total Offense	260	375
Rushing Yards	78	149
Passing Yards	182	226
First Downs	16	17
Punt Return Yards	36	52
Kick Return Yards	149	78
Total Yards	445	505
Turnovers	5	4
3rd Down Conversion	3-15 (20%)	9-17 (52%)
4th Down Conversion	1-1 (100%)	0-0 (0%)
2-Point Conversion	0-0 (0%)	0-0 (0%)
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1-0-1 (100%)	3-2-1 (100%)
Penalties	1-15	0-0
Possession Time	18:30	21:30

Turnovers seemed easier to come by than touchdowns at some points this game

The Colorado Buffaloes came out on top in an ugly, turnover-ridden home opener against the Central Arkansas Bears. The Buffs’ four turnovers would have cost them the victory had the defense – much improved from last week – not forced five turnovers of their own. Unlike last week against Colorado State, this offense’s lack of experience showed bigtime.

The trouble began on the first drive of the game, when the Buffs were stopped on their side of the field. Central Arkansas drove down the field, converting a 3rd & 13 in the process, and eventually scoring via a 21-yard reception by running back Shannon Mays. This was enough to give the Bears the lead going into the second quarter, and they added to it with a 31-yard field goal early on to give them a 10–0 lead.

Colorado quarterback Danny Roberts struggled mightily in this game. He started poorly, but got the Buffs back in the game in the second quarter with a play-action touchdown pass to Brent Harris at the 3-yard line. After that drive, the turnovers started. The Bears fumbled the ball first, recovered by the Buffs. Roberts managed to fumble the ball after being hit, and Central Arkansas drove the ball down the field only to have Colorado cornerback Charles Hall pick it off. The Buffs took advantage of this turnover and Roberts nailed a 17-yard pass to Bobby Thornton to put the team up 14–10. Several drives and another Charles Hall interception later, Colorado went into halftime with a 17–13 lead.

If the offenses made you cringe in the first half, the opening to the second will give you nightmares. It started with a Central Arkansas three-and-out, followed by a Roberts fumble. The Bears then put up another three-and-out, and Roberts responded by throwing a pick. The Bears were then stopped on the first series for the third time in a row, and Roberts then threw the ball right into the open arms of Central Arkansas linebacker Reggie Martin who took it to the house, giving the Bears a 20–17 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Defensive end Jesse Hamilton was POTG due to a historic number of sacks

Only in the game’s final stanza did Colorado start playing up to their potential. They started the quarter by forcing yet another Central Arkansas interception. On their first offensive play after the pick, Roberts tossed the ball 70 yards to receiver Roger Kiniry for a touchdown, giving the Buffs a 24–20 lead. Good defense and two field goals from over 40 yards by kicker Kevin McKeon gave Colorado a 10-point win, far more comfortable than it felt for much of the game.

The Colorado defense improved vastly from last week, though the competition was weaker. Defensive end Jesse Hamilton was a sack machine, tying the NCAA record for sacks in a game. The five turnovers forced were a thing of beauty. And when it is all said and done, they only gave up 13 points considering one touchdown came from a Central Arkansas pick-six. Offensively, the Buffs need work. Roberts needs to be far more consistent. His receiving corps gets open for him far more often than he throws it to them with accuracy. With their toughest game yet coming up against Fresno State, Colorado and Coach Callahan need to take this week seriously and get the offense and defense playing well all at once.

Players of the Game
Central Arkansas Offense: HB Shannon Mays
Central Arkansas Defense: ROLB Reggie Martin
Colorado Offense: K Kevin McKeon
Colorado Defense: LE Jesse Hamilton

[RoyHahn]

SCORES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Week 2, 2013


3 Georgia defeats 17 South Carolina
30–28


4 Stanford defeats San Jose State
16–13 OT


5 Texas A&M defeats Sam Houston State
52–0


6 Oregon defeats Kentucky
38–27


18 Michigan defeats 7 Notre Dame
29–24


UPSET ALERT!
Northwestern defeats 8 Florida
21–17


UPSET ALERT!
Virginia Tech defeats 9 Louisville
34–10


10 LSU defeats UAB
38–7


11 Oklahoma defeats West Virginia
34–21


13 Texas defeats BYU
29–3


15 Boise State defeats UT Martin
55–10


21 Nebraska defeats Southern Miss
49–10


22 Oregon State defeats Hawaii
49–20


23 TCU defeats Southeastern Louisiana
31–0


USC defeats Washington State
45–3

[RoyHahn]

ESPN College Football Weekly
Week 3, 2013


Coaches Poll – Week 3

1 Alabama (1–0)
2 Ohio State (1–0)
3 Georgia (2–0)
4 Stanford (1–0)
5 Texas A&M (2–0)
6 Oregon (2–0)
7 LSU (2–0)
8 Oklahoma (2–0)
9 Florida State (1–0)
10 Texas (1–0)
11 Notre Dame (1–1)
12 Boise State (2–0)
13 Michigan (1–0)
14 Clemson (0–1)
15 North Carolina (1–0)
16 Florida (1–1)
17 UCLA (1–0)
18 Kansas State (1–0)
19 Louisville (0–1)
20 Nebraska (2–0)
21 Oregon State (2–0)
22 Northwestern (1–1)
23 South Carolina (0–2)
24 TCU (1–1)
25 Ole Miss (2–0)

Others Receiving Votes: Virginia Tech (271), Arizona State (243), Mississippi State (208), Oklahoma State (152), California (143), Miami (122), Iowa (84), Michigan State (56), Baylor (30)

Dropped Out: Arizona State (#25)

Pac-12 Conference Standings

Pac-12 North Conference Standings - Updated: Sep 9, 2013
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STRK
No. 4 Stanford	1-0	1.000	0-0	16	13	0-0
California	2-0	1.000	0-0	61	37	0-0
No. 6 Oregon	2-0	1.000	0-0	73	45	0-0
No. 21 Oregon State	2-0	1.000	0-0	87	27	0-0
Washington	1-1	0.500	0-0	48	47	0-0
Washington State	0-2	0.000	0-1	27	81	0-0

Pac-12 South Conference Standings - Updated: Sep 9, 2013
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STRK
USC	1-1	0.500	1-0	65	30	0-0
Utah	2-0	1.000	0-0	83	9	0-0
Colorado	2-0	1.000	0-0	72	58	0-0
No. 17 UCLA	1-0	1.000	0-0	34	14	0-0
Arizona	2-0	1.000	0-0	63	20	0-0
Arizona State	1-0	1.000	0-0	34	17	0-0

Heisman Watch – Week 3



QB Mike Booker
Texas A&M – Sophomore (RS)

QB Mark Gilmore
Alabama – Senior (RS)

QB Scott Franklin
Ohio State – Junior

QB Cameron Hurd
Nebraska – Senior (RS)

QB Chip Anderson
Louisville – Junior

Note: Candidates are colored orange if their position has not changed, green if they have moved up and red if they have moved down.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NCAA Players of the Week
Offense: QB Corey Stephens, SO (RS), Texas Tech
Defense: LE Jesse Hamilton, JR, Colorado

Pac-12 Players of the Week
Offense: QB Nick Stewart, FR (RS), Utah
Defense: LE Jesse Hamilton, JR, Colorado


COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP STORIES



SEC HEAVYWEIGHTS COLLIDE

Last year, only one team proved it had the mettle to down the mighty Crimson Tide. This Saturday, when 5 Texas A&M plays host to 1 Alabama, the Aggies will have a chance to repeat history. At this early point in the season, A&M is more impressive on paper than Bama, but one has to consider that the Aggies have faced Rice and Sam Houston State while Alabama bulldozed Virginia Tech in their season opener. The Hokies blew Louisville out the following week, so Alabama has some credibility. The experts are likely factoring in the 100,000 fans who will be roaring at Kyle Field when they project Texas A&M as the touchdown favorites to defeat the reigning back-to-back national champions.

TEXAS AND OLE MISS SET TO DO BATTLE

The 25 Ole Miss Rebels are set to travel to Austin, Texas to face the 10 Texas Longhorns this Saturday in this week’s only other ranked team vs. ranked team matchup. The Longhorns are coming off a 29–3 victory in their season opener over BYU, while the Rebels have put up two blowouts in a row – a 27–7 win over Vandy followed by a 44–10 beatdown of Troy. The winner of this game will have a key nonconference victory under their belt which would boost their strength-of-schedule for the eventual BCS conversation. It’s early in the season, but the winner here will have momentum heading into the meat of their schedules.

OTHER UPCOMING GAMES
4 Stanford at Army
Tennessee at 6 Oregon
Kent State at 7 LSU
11 Notre Dame at Purdue
Air Force at 12 Boise State
Miami FL at 14 Clemson
East Carolina at 15 North Carolina
Colorado State at 17 UCLA
UMass at 18 Kansas State
19 Louisville at Kentucky
21 Oregon State at Utah
Vanderbilt at 23 South Carolina
24 TCU at Texas Tech
Boston College at USC

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