CU At The Game Podcast on Steno.fm

CU At The Game Podcast

A college football podcast focused on University of Colorado Buffaloes, hosted by Stuart Whitehair, publisher of the CU at the Game website

S6 E4 · Fri, February 28, 2025
CU Mailbag: Coach Prime's Contract / Top Five Transfers / Top Five Returning Players
Send us a text ... This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are opening up the mailbag for the first time this off-season. We’re here to answer your questions about CU and the state of college football. We open with a discussion about the saga of the Coach Prime contract extension. The potential reasons for the delay, the issues involved, and the final resolution are all up for debate. We then move on to a question about our top five transfers into the program this off-season, together with a listing of our top five returning Buffs from the 2024 season. We wrap up with questions about taking CU this fall with an over/under win projection from Las Vegas of 6.5 victories, as well as our thoughts on expansion of the college football playoff ... and the future of CU and the Big 12 in the ever-changing landscape of the sport. Are you ready to talk a little CU football, with spring practices now just around the corner? Let’s do it ... Support the show
S6 E3 · Fri, February 14, 2025
Transfer Portal Bingo: Filling out CU's 2025 Roster
Send us a text ... This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. I am joined for this special episode by Brad Geiger, and we are donning our CU “General Manager for a Day” hats, and are going to do our best to predict how Coach Prime and his coaching staff will fill out CU’s existing roster. The parameters ... There are 75 scholarship players on the roster to date, with the Buffs likely to add at least ten new transfers come April. We operate under the assumption that any defections from the current roster - and there will be - will be filled by similarly talented players. Our aim with this episode is to add the next ten players - and do so within a budget. We are giving ourselves a $2 million budget with which to “buy” up to ten new players, with $300,000 available for a Power Four transfer starter; $200,000 for a Group of Five transfer starter; and $100,000 for a flyer on an FCS transfer. With this exercise, we are forced to prioritize which position groups are most in need of augmentation, and which position rooms on the roster are pretty well set for the fall. Brad and I had fun trying our best fill in CU’s 2025 roster - and stay under budget. Will you agree with our priorities? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S6 E2 · Fri, January 31, 2025
Special Episode - Neill Woelk and the Coach Prime Era at CU
Send us a text ... This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. Welcome back, for the second half of my interview with Neill Woelk , who was a sportswriter for the Boulder Daily Camera for three decades, before spending the last decade covering the Buffs as the contributing editor for the CUBuffs.com website. In this episode, we open with the hiring of Coach Prime at the University of Colorado in December, 2022, and the tidal wave of changes which have come to the CU program since. After reminiscing about the first two seasons of the Coach Prime era in Boulder, we talk about the future for the Buffs in the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics, and whether CU will continue to be a player on the national stage. Neill brings a storied background, and a unique perspective, to Colorado football - past, present, and future - and I think you will enjoy our conversation. Let’s get to it ... Support the show
S6 E1 · Fri, January 17, 2025
Special Episode - Neill Woelk: Remembering Coach Mac
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. I am very pleased to introduce the first of two special episodes to open the sixth season of the podcast. Neill Woelk is a name familiar to most of the Buff Nation, with his 40-year career of covering Colorado football including three decades writing for the Boulder Daily Camera, and the past decade as the contributing editor for the CUBuffs.com website. In this first episode, Neill graciously spends some time traveling down memory lane. Neill gives us his amusing story about how he became the first reporter to interview Bill McCartney (twice!) as CU’s new head coach. Then there is the 20-10 win over Nebraska, the Fifth Down game at Missouri, the national championship, the “Miracle at Michigan”, Bill McCartney’s surprise retirement announcement, 62-36, and much more. If you are a long time fan of Colorado football, or a more recent fan interested in some great stories about the history of your new team, I believe you will enjoy this conversation between two longtime Buffs. Let’s get to it ... Support the show
S5 E32 · Fri, January 03, 2025
2024 Season Review: "A Few of Our Favorite Things"
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. I am pleased to be joined for this episode by Neil Langland, and we are here to give you a look back at CU’s 2024 season, giving you, with apologies to the Sound of Music, our “favorite things” from the Buffs’ historic ride to a 9-4 record and CU’s second Heisman trophy. Before we do our preview, we will spend a few minutes on the Alamo Bowl loss to BYU, but only a few, as we want to finish the 2024 podcast season on a high note. So ... Who was your favorite player on defense (not named Travis Hunter)? ... Which of CU’s road wins was the most memorable? ... What was your favorite part of CU’s Award Week, a week unlike any other in Buff history? ... And what does CU’s nine win season mean for the program going forward, both in terms of recruiting and national recognition? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E31 · Fri, December 20, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for the Alamo Bowl: No. 20 CU v. No. 17 BYU / Plus: Travis Hunter's Magical Awards Week
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. I am pleased to be joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are here to give you our “T.I.P.S.” preview for the 2024 Alamo Bowl, pitting the No. 20 CU Buffs against the No. 17 BYU Cougars. Before we do our preview, though, we will be taking a few minutes to talk about one of the best weeks for the CU program in recent memory. Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy, along with five other major national awards, together with too many first-team All-Conference and All-American selections to count. It has been a magical ride for CU’s unicorn, and we certainly enjoyed reviewing Hunter’s season to remember. Then, we will move on to our preview of the Alamo Bowl, discussing CU v. BYU in terms of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation and Statistics , before finishing off the podcast with a look at how well CU has been doing so far in the Transfer Portal this off-season. So ... Which amazing record from Travis Hunter’s run to college football immortality is the most impressive? ... Will CU’s week in the national spotlight hinder the Buffs’ bowl preparations for the 10-2 Cougars? ... Will Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter go out on a high, or will BYU spoil the Buffs’ party? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E30 · Thu, December 05, 2024
Introducing CU's Recruiting Class of 2025
Send us a text ... I am pleased to be joined for this episode by Neil Langland, and we are here to give you our unit-by-unit look at the freshly minted CU Recruiting Class of 2025 . Before we do our preview, though, we will be taking a few minutes to give you review of CU’s last regular season game, a 52-0 rout of Oklahoma State. We will be discussing “ The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly ” of one of the most lopsided wins for the Buffs in generations. Then, we will move on to our discussion of the latest additions to the CU roster. So ... Will Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis prove to be the next Shedeur Sanders ? Or, is Lewis, still 17 years old, destined to have some growing pains in Boulder? ... Have the coaches found new stars in offensive lineman Carde Smith and defensive lineman London Merritt ? Or, is there still plenty of work to be done to shore up CU’s trenches via the Transfer Portal? ... Are we at an apex of CU success under head coach Deion Sanders ? Or, is this just the beginning of what the Buffs can accomplish in the Coach Prime era? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E29 · Tue, November 26, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for No. 23 Colorado v. Oklahoma State / Senior Day at Folsom
Send us a text ... Last weekend, Colorado played its worst game since the loss to Nebraska in early September, falling to Kansas, 37-21. The loss dropped the Buffs into a four-way tie for first in the Big 12, with one weekend of play remaining. I am pleased to be joined for this review/preview episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S.” , our preview for CU’s final regular season game, a Senior Day sendoff against Oklahoma State. Before we do our preview, though, we will be taking a few minutes to give you our post-mortem on the loss to Kansas. We will be discussing “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of the debacle, promising to keep the review from going off the rails. Then, we will move on to the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. Our format is to give you our “T.I.P.S.” for the game, broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - Which numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our predictions for the game. So ... Will the Colorado offense have a field day against one of the worst defenses in the nation, regaining it swagger? Or will the Cowboys be able to keep the CU offense in check? Will the Buff defense, which failed to stop the Kansas offense even once last weekend, come out on fire? Or did the Jayhawks expose flaws which the likes of preseason All-American running back Ollie Gordon can exploit? ... Let's find out ... Support the show
S5 E28 · Tue, November 19, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for No. 16 CU at Kansas / CU 49, Utah 24 Review
Send us a text ... Last weekend, No. 18 Colorado defeated Utah, 49-24, exorcizing in the process a few Pac-12 demons, while moving one step closer to clinching a berth in the Big 12 championship game. CU’s All-American Travis Hunter may have sewn up the Heisman trophy race with yet another highlight reel game on national television. I am pleased to be joined for this review/preview episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S.” , our preview for CU’s final regular season road game, a trip to Arrowhead Stadium to face Kansas. Before we do our preview, though, we will be taking a few minutes to give you our review of the big win over Utah. We will be discussing “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of CU’s 25-point victory. Then, we will move on to the Jayhawks of Kansas. Our format is to give you our “ T.I.P.S. ” for the game, broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - Which numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our predictions for the game. So ... The Jayhawks are 4-6, but are coming off back-to-back wins over ranked teams for the first time in school history. Will the Buffs become their third consecutive ranked victim? ... Can the Buffs overcome their tendency to start slow? Or will the Jayhawks jump to an early advantage, and be able to keep the Buffs at bay? ... Will Travis Hunter have another Heisman worthy performance? Or will Kansas get their own SportsCenter moments? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E27 · Tue, November 12, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for No. 18 Colorado v. Utah / Texas Tech Review
Send us a text ... Last weekend, the Buffs traveled to North Texas, coming away with an exciting 41-27 victory over Teas Tech. The win was CU’s fourth consecutive road victory of the season, a feat not accomplished since 1996, and was the fourth straight by two touchdowns or more, a feat not accomplished at CU since ... the undefeated regular season campaign in 1989. I am pleased to be joined for this review/preview episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S.” , our preview for CU’s home game against Utah. Before we do our preview, though, we will be taking a few minutes to give you our review of the big win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. We will be discussing “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” , with, as you might imagine, a fair amount of time spent on “The Good”. Then, we will move on to the Utes of Utah. Our format is to give you our “T.I.P.S.” for the game, broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - Which numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our predictions for the game. So ... How will the Buffs be able to handle the contrast in opponents, going from all offense/no defense Texas Tech, to no offense/all defense Utah? ... Are the Buffs proving immune to outside national media noise, now that the Buffs are ranked and control their own destiny for a berth in the Big 12 title game? ... Are these Buffs a team of destiny, or are they destined to stumble against a Utah team which owned them in the Pac-12? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E26 · Tue, November 05, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for No. 21 CU at Texas Tech / Winning the Bye Week
Send us a text ... CU’s most recent game, a 34-23 victory over Cincinnati, gave the Buffs a sixth win, and gave superfan Peggy and her team bowl-eligibility for the first time in a full season since 2016. I am pleased to be joined for this review/preview episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “ T.I.P.S. ”, our preview for CU’s trip to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech. Before we do our preview, though, we will be taking a few minutes to give you our review of the big win over Cincinnati in Boulder. We will be discussing “ The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly ”, with, as you might imagine, a fair amount of time spent on “The Good”. Then, we will move on to the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. Our format is to give you our “ T.I.P.S. ” for the game, broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - Which numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our predictions for the game. So ... Was Texas Tech’s win over previously unbeaten Iowa State a blessing for CU and its hopes for a Big 12 title berth? ... Or, was it a harbinger of how tough the game against the Red Raiders will be? ... Will the CU offense feast on the worst pass defense in the Big 12? ... Or, will the Red Raiders be up for defeating a ranked team for second consecutive week? ... Will CU’s newly minted national ranking continue to climb? ... Or, will the Buffs be one-hit wonders on the national stage? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E25 · Tue, October 22, 2024
"T.I.P.S." Preview for Colorado v. Cincinnati / Review: CU's Romp over Arizona
Send us a text ... Another Big 12 road game, another CU blowout win. A three-point underdog against Arizona, the Buffs started fast, and never looked back in a 34-7 romp over the Wildcats. Don’t look now, but CU is 5-2, one win away from a bowl game for Peggy. I am pleased to be joined for this review/preview episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S.” , our preview for CU’s Family Weekend “Blackout” game against Cincinnati. Before we do our preview, though, we will be taking a few minutes to give you our review of the blowout win in Tucson over Arizona. We will be discussing “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” , with, as you might imagine, a fair amount of time spent on “The Good”. Then, we will move on to the Bearcats of Cincinnati. Our format is to give you our “T.I.P.S. ” for the game, broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - Which numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our predictions for the game. So ... Will Cincinnati’s offense, with a balanced attack and a mobile quarterback, be able to keep the ball away from the CU offense, frustrating the Buffs? ... Will CU’s offense, going up against a Bearcat defense giving up less than 20 points a game, be able to take advantage of opportunities to score? ... Will the Buffs, late on Saturday night, become bowl-eligible in October for the first time since 2016? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E24 · Tue, October 15, 2024
"T.I.P.S." Preview for CU at Arizona / Review of CU v. No. 18 K-State
Send us a text ... The Buff Nation was treated to a second consecutive late night Folsom Field rally, but, unlike the Baylor game a few weeks ago, which finished with a miracle victory, the Buffs’ comeback could not be sustained against No. 18 Kansas State, with CU falling to the Wildcats, 31-28. I am pleased to be joined for this review/preview episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S.”, our preview for CU’s trip to the desert to face another set of Wildcats, this time the Wildcats of Arizona. Before we do our preview, though, we will be taking a few minutes to give you our review of the exciting - if disappointing - loss to No. 18 Kansas State. We will be discussing “ The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly ” about the Buffs’ loss to the Wildcats from Manhattan, Kansas. Then, we will move on to the Wildcats of Tucson, Arizona. For those new to the podcast, our “ T.I.P.S. ” previews are broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - Which numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our predictions for the game. So ... Will Arizona’s struggles on offense continue, or will the Wildcats find their way against the Buffs? ... Will injuries to CU’s wide receiver corps, coupled with an almost non-existent rushing attack, cripple the Buffs’ offense, or will Shedeur Sanders find new favorites to throw to? ... Will the sold out UA Homecoming crowd go home happy, or will the Buffs find their way to win No. 5? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E23 · Mon, October 07, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Kansas State / Review of CU's Dominant Win over UCF
Send us a text Welcome to a world in which Colorado has a 4-1 record, and an undefeated 2-0 start to their return to the Big 12! I am pleased to be joined for this review/preview episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S.” , our preview for CU’s “Gold Rush” showdown against Kansas State. Before we do our preview, though, we will be taking a few minutes - and perhaps a few extra minutes - to break down one of CU’s best games in years, a 48-21 take down of the Central Florida Knights. We will be discussing “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly ” about the Buffs’ first-ever game against UCF. After a few minutes reminiscing about one of the most complete games in recent Colorado history, we will move on to the Wildcats of Kansas State. For those new to the podcast, or in need of a refresher, our “T.I.P.S.” previews are broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - Which numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our predictions for the game (Spoiler alert: There is a split decision this week!). So ... Both teams are coming off of big victories, and both teams are coming off of byes ... Which team spent their off-week preparing? ... And which team spent their off-week reading their press clippings? ... Will the Buffs be able to ruin the Homecoming for Dylan Edwards, or will the star CU recruit have the last laugh against his former team? ... Does the Central Florida game represent the ceiling for how well the Buffs can play? ... Or was the stellar effort the new floor? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E22 · Tue, September 24, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Central Florida / Miracle Finish v. Baylor
Send us a text Well, have you come down from Cloud Nine yet? Colorado is 3-1, 1-0 in Big 12 play after an unlikely, if not miraculous, 38-31 overtime win over Baylor. I am pleased to be joined for this review/preview episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “ T.I.P.S. ", our preview for CU’s first ever-game against Central Florida, coming up in Orlando on Fox at 1:30 p.m., MT on Saturday, with the Fox Big Noon Saturday show following the Buffs to Orlando. Before we do our preview, though, we will be breaking down what was “ The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly ” about CU’s overtime win over Baylor. The Buffs were down to their final play, and the final two seconds of the game, before Shedeur Sanders hit LaJohntay Wester for a game-tying 43-yard touchdown. Not to be outdone, CU’s All-Everything Travis Hunter made CU’s next miraculous play just a few minutes later, forcing a fumble at the CU goal line in overtime, preserving the win, and sending some 50,000 Buff fans home happy ... Wet, but happy. After a few minutes reminiscing about one of the most improbable wins in recent Colorado history, we will move on to the Knights of Central Florida. For those new to the podcast, or in need of a refresher, our “T.I.P.S.” previews are broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - Which numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our prediction for the game. So ... Both teams are coming off of come-from-behind wins, with Central Florida overcoming a 28-7 second half deficit to take down TCU. Which team gets the extra boost it will need to claim victory in UCF’s “Bounce House”? ... Can the CU coaching staff devise a way to protect Shedeur Sanders , or is the Buffs’ star quarterback destined to be lost to injury after continued beatings by opposing defenses? ... Will the Buffs be able to build on their two game winning streak, or is CU’s 3-1 record, identical to the Buffs’ record at this point last season, again a high water mark for CU’s chances at a bowl invitation? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E21 · Tue, September 17, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Baylor: A "White Out" Homecoming
Send us a text Welcome to the 150th episode of the CU at the Game podcast! We’re now well into Season Five, and I am pleased to be joined for this review/preview episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S., our preview for CU’s first Big 12 game since 2010, with the Buffs taking on Baylor in a “White Out” in Boulder (6:00 p.m., MT, Fox). Before we do our preview, though, we will be breaking down what was “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” about CU’s 28-9 win over CSU in Ft. Collins, the last Rocky Mountain Showdown until 2029. Then ... We move to the Baylor Bears. For those new to the podcast, or in need of a refresher, our “T.I.P.S.” previews are broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - What numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our prediction for the game. So ... Was CU’s big win over CSU an anomaly, or have the Buffs turned the corner on running the ball and protecting the passer? ... Is the Baylor defense, ranked 12th in the nation in scoring defense, after being ranked 113th in that same category last season, that much better, or are the Bears’ stats more a reflection of their non-conference opposition? ... Can the Buffs bring home a big Homecoming win, starting the 2024 Big 12 campaign with a victory? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E20 · Tue, September 10, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for CU at CSU - Buffs First Trip To Ft. Collins since 1996
Send us a text Welcome to our review/preview of CU’s rivalry games. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S.” for CU’s Rocky Mountain Showdown game against Colorado State. Before we do so, though, we will be breaking down what was “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” about CU’s 28-10 loss to Nebraska. Then ... on to the Rams. For those new to the podcast, or in need of a refresher, our “T.I.P.S.” previews are broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar, injuries, or even the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - What numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our prediction for the game. So ... Did the Buffs learn their lesson in the beatdown by Nebraska, or was the loss a preview of how the rest of the 2024 season will play out? ... Can the Buffs overcome another hostile road crowd, or will another slow start bring more frustration and consternation to the Buff Nation? ... Can CU ride off into the sunset of the series with a seven-game winning streak, or will CSU beat the Buffs in Ft. Collins for the first time since 1955? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E19 · Tue, September 03, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Nebraska - Buffs look fourth straight win over Cornhuskers
Send us a text Welcome to our first full review/preview of the season! I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S.” for CU’s rivalry game against Nebraska. Before we do so, though, we will be breaking down (with apologies to the 1966 Clint Eastwood movie of the same name) what was “ The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly ” about CU’s 31-26 win over North Dakota State. Then ... on to the Huskers. For those new to the podcast, or in need of a refresher, our “T.I.P.S.” previews are broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - What numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our prediction for the game. So ... Did the Buffs beat a good FCS team, or was the win over the Bison a lucky victory, foreshadowing losses for the rest of the season? ... Is the addition of Dylan Raiola at quarterback enough to give the Cornhuskers an edge over the Buffs? ... Or ... Will CU come home with the first four-game win streak in the history of the rivalry? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E18 · Fri, August 23, 2024
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. North Dakota State - Buffs' 2024 Season Opener
Send us a text Welcome to our first game preview podcast of the 2024 season! After a long off-season, we are finally able to again watch and enjoy college football. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be giving you our “T.I.P.S.” for CU’s game against North Dakota State. For those new to the podcast, or in need of a refresher, our “T.I.P.S.” previews are broken down into categories: T- Talent - What CU’s opponents are bringing to the game; which matchups may prove crucial; I - Intangibles - What off the field issues may impact the outcome; P - Preparation/Schedule - How the calendar and the weather may play a role; and S - Statistics - What numbers should Buff fans be on the lookout for in determining the outcome. After going through our preview, we will each give you our prediction for the game. So ... How do you see CU’s season opener playing out? ... What does underdog North Dakota State have to do in order to pull of an upset? ... Will Buff fans head home Thursday night with an undefeated home team? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E17 · Fri, August 16, 2024
Crystal Ball: Game-by-Game Preview for CU's 2024 Season
Send us a text Welcome to our much anticipated CU game-by-game season preview. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are going to give you our predictions for the outcomes of each of CU’s games for the 2024 season. In the past few years, we have been pretty successful in predicting the outcomes of Buff games, though admittedly during the Karl Dorrell years it didn’t take much expertise to see what was coming. Last year, Brad was right on with his 4-8 prediction, with Neil (6-6) and I (5-7) being slightly more optimistic. So ... For the 2024 season, there are eight games on the CU schedule for which there is unanimity of opinion as to the forecasted outcome. But for four games ... Nebraska, Central Florida, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State ... there is a split decision. What are your predictions for CU’s 2024 season? Do they match up with ours? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E16 · Fri, August 02, 2024
Big 12 Preview: Team-by-Team Projections for the 2024 Season
Send us a text Welcome to our Big 12 Preview podcast! I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are going to give you our team-by-team look at the Big 12 conference race. With our previews, we project each Big 12 rival’s season, slotting teams into four categories. – Tier One: A team which is a Big 12 title contender, and a likely Top 25 team nationally; – Tier Two: A solid team, and a likely bowl participant, but a team with a flaw or two which will prevent them from threatening to win the league; – Tier Three: A team with bowl aspirations, where the Strive for Six is the main goal, a goal which obtainable if the season plays out as projected; and – Tier Four : A team going through a rebuilding season. You can squint at the schedule and perhaps find six wins and a bowl bid, but a losing season is the most likely outcome. So ... How many teams in the Big 12 will likely be out of the bowl picture by the end of September? ... What to make of the messy middle in the most competitive Power Four conference, with any number of teams who could finish with anywhere from four to eight wins? ... Which teams are our picks to play for the Big 12 title? ... And ... of course, where does CU fit in the mix? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E15 · Fri, July 19, 2024
Projecting CU's Starting Lineup: Defense and Special Teams
Send us a text It’s July, the time for conference media days, and the countdown to fall camp. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are going to go out on a limb and give you our projected starting lineup for the CU defense and special teams for the 2024 season. We also take our preview a step further, and discuss how each unit of the defense compares to the rest of the Big 12. Our criteria: – Tier One: One of the top four units in the Big 12, capable of taking the Buffs to title contention if the rest of the team is equal to the task; – Tier Two: 5-8 in the Big 12. A strength, a unit which can help CU to a winning record and a bowl berth; – Tier Three : 9-12 in the Big 12. A liability, but, if the unit can avoid injury and live up to its potential, can help CU get to a bowl game; and – Tier Four: 13-16 in the Big 12. A problem area. A unit which might drag CU down to another losing season. So ... Will the complete overhaul of the CU defensive line be a smashing success? Or ... Will it be a shrug-of-the-shoulders failure? ... Can the deficiencies in the linebacker corps be masked by the upgrades in the rest of defense? ... And, will Travis Hunter, backed by one of the most talented defensive backfields in recent CU history, be able to not only put himself in position for a top draft pick, but also for national post-season awards? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E14 · Fri, July 05, 2024
Projecting CU's Starting Lineup: Offense
Send us a text It’s July, which means the college football season is just around the corner. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are going to go out on a limb and give you our projected starting lineup for the CU offense for the 2024 season. We also take our preview a step further, and discuss how each unit of the offense compares to the rest of the Big 12. Our criteria: – Tier One: One of the top four units in the Big 12, capable of taking the Buffs to title contention if the rest of the team is equally up to the task; – Tier Two: 5-8 in the Big 12. A strength, a unit which can help CU to a winning record and a bowl berth; – Tier Three: 9-12 in the Big 12. A liability, but, if the unit can avoid injury and live up to its potential, can help CU get to a bowl game; and – Tier Four: 13-16 in the Big 12. A problem area. A unit which might drag CU down to another losing season. So ... Is CU’s completely redone running back room a strength, or a potential weakness? ... Are CU’s wide receivers an elite corps, not only for the Big 12, but nationally? ... And ... Is the rebuilt offensive line, with fresh faces and fresh potential, good enough to carry CU to a winning season? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E13 · Thu, June 20, 2024
CU Schedule Countdown - Ranking the Buffs' 2024 Opponents
Send us a text Welcome to our CU Schedule Countdown episode. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are going to take a stroll through Colorado’s 2024 schedule, ranking the Buffs’ opponents from the easiest game on the calendar ... to the most difficult. I had thought there would be consensus, at least at the start of our discussion, but, as it turned out, we came up with three different choices for CU’s easiest game, with Baylor, Cincinnati, and North Dakota State being our respective choices. If possible, I would recommend having the Colorado 2024 schedule at your fingertips as we go through the calendar, or, better yet, make out your own list of easiest to most difficult games, and see if you agree with our choices. So ... Where do rivalry games on the road against Nebraska and Colorado State fall on our lists? Which game will prove to be the most difficult to win for the Buffs this fall? ... And, once our lists are made, which are the critical 50/50 games in the middle which will ultimately decide CU’s season? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E12 · Fri, June 07, 2024
June Mailbag: Identifying CU's Top Transfers / CU making do in the post-House world of college football
Send us a text Back to the mailbag, and your questions about all things CU! I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we take on a wide variety of questions dealing with the ever-changing world of college football, as well as the latest goings on in the Buff Nation. So ... Who would make your list of the top CU transfers this off-season, choosing three from the offensive side of the ball, and three from the defense? ... Is the Shilo Sanders bankruptcy cause for concern, or much ado about nothing? ... If the 22% revenue share distribution which has been agreed to (roughly $20 million/year) going to be a hardship on a school like CU, will G-5 schools even have a prayer of competing in the post-House world of college football? ... And ... Are you ready to see corporate logos on the 50-yard line at Folsom Field, as early as this fall? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E11 · Fri, May 24, 2024
Pet Peeves Bracket Challenge
Send us a text We’re going to have a little fun with this episode, one which we are calling the “Pet Peeves Bracket Challenge”. I am joined by Neil Langland, and we are going to run through a Sweet Sixteen of college football annoyances, working our way towards a signature Pet Peeve. If you are not driving while listening to this episode, I recommend taking a pen and a piece of paper, so you can pick your own winners, and come up with your own Final Four and ultimate champion Pet Peeve. So ... Which bothers you most as a college football fan: Your team going from the shotgun on fourth-and-inches? ... Or ... Throwing a six-yard completion on third-and-seven? ... Which is more annoying: The useless between quarters coach interviews? ... Or ... Your team fooling no one by trying to draw the opposition offside on a fourth-and-two at the 42-yard line? If you enjoy this episode, let us know your most frustrating Pet Peeves, and we’ll put them up for review on a future episode. For now, which of our Sweet Sixteen Pet Peeves will be crowned champion? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E10 · Fri, May 10, 2024
May Mailbag: CU v. The World
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. Welcome to our May Mailbag edition. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger, and we go through your questions about college football in general, and your Colorado Buffaloes in particular. Included in this mailbag episode ... - An article in The Athletic took Coach Prime and CU to task for dismantling the roster they inherited, quoting unhappy players who left the program. But looking at where the castoffs landed, can an argument be made that Colorado did what was necessary, considering the status of the roster?; - Even if the roster moves were justified, should Coach Prime and Shedeur Sanders have keep quiet, instead of instigating a firestorm on social media?; - At every opportunity, Coach Prime indicates that he loves CU and Boulder, and has no intentions of leaving after the 2024 season. Are you convinced Deion Sanders will be CU’s head coach in 2025?; - What are your feelings about the current state of the roster? Did CU fill the holes in the lineup along the offensive and defensive lines, and at linebacker?; - If the House case will take some $2.7 billion dollars to settle, will CU be able to one of the programs able to withstand the financial burden of remaining in the top tier of college football?; and - (A really good question, when you stop to think about it) ... If you had the choice between being a fan of a perennial contender (e.g., Ohio State; Georgia) or a team which is usually average, but occasionally jumps into the national spotlight (e.g., CU in 2016; TCU in 2022), which program would you choose to support? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E9 · Sun, April 28, 2024
CU Spring Game Recap / Plus: Unit-by-Unit Spring Review
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. Welcome to our Spring Game recap. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are here to discuss all that transpired on a soggy Folsom Field on Saturday. We will first turn our attention to each unit on the team, and how they fared in the glorified scrimmage, before turning our attention to which units are most in need of bolstering over the next few weeks as the Transfer Portal shifts from the out-go to the in-come. We finish our discussion by taking a look at what Buff fans can expect in the next few weeks and months as Spring, 2024, shifts to issues for the summer of 2024. So ... Do we know anymore about the backups at quarterback to Shedeur Sanders? ... Is the completely rebuilt offensive line a significant upgrade to the porous 2023 model? ... Or, is there still plenty of work to be done before CU has a Big 12 quality offensive line? ... Will Coach Prime and his coaching staff be able to piece together a solid running back room? ... Or, will this unit be a liability come fall? ... Is the Buff defense ready for Prime Time? ... Or, are there still holes to be filled on the defensive roster between now and August 29th? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E8 · Fri, April 12, 2024
The In's and Out's Of CU Spring Football
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. Spring has arrived on the calendar, as well as on the practice fields at the University of Colorado. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are here to discuss the ins and outs of CU football this April. [Program Note ... During the off-season, a new episode of the podcast is posted every other Friday. In two weeks, however, CU will be conducting its Spring Game. As a result, we will be waiting a extra few days to post. The Spring Game recap podcast will be up on the CU at the Game website on Sunday, April 28th, and available at your favorite podcast sites on Monday, April 29th]. While your Buffs have been engaged in the first few weeks of spring practices, Coach Prime has added three new players to the Recruiting Class of 2024. CU is bringing in two new cornerbacks and a very, very under-the-radar offensive lineman, coming to Boulder from the NFL Academy in England ... by way of Austria and Egypt. CU has also added new two members to its coaching staff. Both have NFL experience and ties to Coach Prime, but it’s the hiring of graduate assistant Warren Sapp which has created - at least in the mind of one local sportswriter - controversy in his hiring. Not willing to leave news on the field alone, we also discuss what news of note we have been able to filter out through the process stories which are all too commonplace this time of year. So ... Is Coach Prime to be praised for bringing in freshman recruits to develop - after being criticized for not doing so on Signing Day? Or ... Are these potentially wasted scholarships with the Transfer Portal about to reopen? ... Is the hiring of Warren Sapp a coup, with CU’s defensive line benefitting from the experience of a Hall-of-Famer? Or ... Is the hire a disaster in the making from a former player who has a history of legal issues - and no coaching experience? ... And ... Are the stories we are hearing about promising true freshman a sign of how much depth is being developed on the roster? Or ... Are stories about freshmen doing well a sign that the Buff Nation may be disappointed this fall with yet another rebuilding season? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E7 · Fri, March 29, 2024
Spring Flings: CU football and basketball programs make national news
Send us a text Greetings, Buff fans, from CU at the Game! This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. March was a kind month to the University of Colorado, with the CU ski team winning its 21st national championship, and the CU men’s and women’s basketball teams both earning NCAA tournament berths for the first time since 2013. The CU football team, not to be outdone, opened its second set of spring practices under Coach Prime, earning some national headlines of their own. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we begin by taking a look at some of the national stories surrounding Coach Prime this spring, including his book tour, the national story about his not taking off-campus visits to the homes of potential recruits, and his weighing in his players and the NFL Draft. We then shift back to campus and CU’s spring practices, with a review of the comments made by Coach Prime, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, and defensive coordinator Robert Livingston. We next discuss whether CU fans should be raving about men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle’s accomplishments ... or whether this season is further proof that the Buffs under Boyle have a glass ceiling of success. We finish up with a tribute to the remarkable tournament run made by the CU women’s team after a rough end to their regular season. It’s always great to be a Buff, but even more so this spring. But ... is this as good as it gets for CU fans, or are there even greater achievements ahead? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E6 · Fri, March 15, 2024
CU Spring Practices Preview - What To Expect: Defense and Special Teams
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we would like to officially welcome you to CU Spring Football, 2024! With our most recent episode, we took a deep dive into each unit of the Colorado offense, so today we turn our attention to the Buffs’ defense and special teams. There will be plenty of fluff pieces on the progress the team is making during its closed practices. So, with these preview episodes we try to identify the storylines which are going to truly be worth your time to click on, and which stories are just column fillers with stories promoted from within the Champions Center. Colorado has a new defensive coordinator, Robert Livingston, who comes to Boulder by way of the Cincinnati Bengals. It seems clear that Livingston was not Coach Prime’s first choice to replace Charles Kelly at defensive coordinator, but will Livingston be the right choice? And what does Livingston have to work with? ... Has enough new talent been brought in along the defensive line to improve on CU’s rush defense, ranked 107th in the nation in 2023? ... Is it clear that the linebacker roster will still have to be a priority for Colorado in the Transfer Portal come late April? ... Are the pieces in place for the Buff secondary to become a dominant force, or will the CU defense, 124th in pass defense and 127th in total defense last season, continue to lag behind its Power Four brethren? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E5 · Fri, March 01, 2024
CU Spring Practices Preview - What to Expect: Offense
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. Welcome to March! The turning of the calendar means we are once again in a month with Colorado football, with spring practices beginning March 18th, carrying through to the Spring Game on April 27th. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland. We open with a brief update on the decline of the NCAA and college football as we know it, perhaps summed up best as: “The only parties who have the power to put an end to the current chaos are the ones who are benefitting the most from the chaos”. We then turn our full attention to your Buffs and to stories we expect to see from the offensive side of the ball this spring. There will be plenty of fluff pieces on the progress the team is making during its closed practices. So, with this episode we try to identify the headlines which are going to truly be worth your time to click on, and which stories are just column fillers which are being spoon fed to the media. Which stories are which? What should CU fans be looking for when there is a story about the battle for the top running back and wide receiver positions? Is the battle for the backup quarterback position going to be settled this spring? Are there going to be any stories about the offensive line development which are not going to be must-read? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E4 · Fri, February 16, 2024
In the Post-NCAA World, Will CU Have a Seat at the Big Boy Table?
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. The off-season for college football has become almost as busy and newsworthy as the regular season, with the future of the sport being debated in courtrooms and boardrooms across the nation. I am joined for this episode by Neil Langland, and we are here to discuss the disintegration - or re-invention - of college football as we know it. We take a brief detour into the history of litigation which brought us to the current chaos, from Jeremy Bloom’s case against the NCAA twenty years ago, to the landmark decisions in the O’Bannon and Alston cases, which lay the groundwork for the tectonic shifts taking place today. So ... With the Dartmouth case allowing players to vote on forming a union, and the Tennessee and Virginia lawsuit against the NCAA likely to bring about a stripping of almost all NIL regulations, where is the sport heading in the near and long term future? ... Will the Big Ten/SEC “advisory group” develop solutions, or are even the big boy conferences merely wholly owned subsidiaries of ESPN and Fox? ... And, most importantly for Buff fans: Will Coach Prime have enough time to salvage the CU brand, giving the Buffs a chair to sit in when the music stops? ... Or, is it time for schools like Colorado to accept, and perhaps even embrace, a future in a new mid-tier college football world where the Buffs can once again compete on a level playing field with its competition? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E3 · Fri, February 02, 2024
CU's Big 12 Schedule Reveal: The Good; The Bad; and the "I Can't Wait"
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. The Colorado 2024 Big 12 schedule was announced this past week. Buff fans have known for years who the non-conference opponents would be this fall, and we have known for some time which of the remaining 15 Big 12 teams would fill CU’s nine-game conference slate. But, it wasn’t until this week that the Buff Nation was introduced to the schedule for the Buffs' first season back in the Big 12. This episode will be taking a deep dive into how CU’s fall lays out. Which teams have a bye week before playing the Buffs? Which teams will be coming off of a tough road contest or a rivalry game? Which teams may be looking past the Buffs to a “more important” game the following week? So ... Will playing a top level FCS school, followed by two rivalry games on the road, derail optimism in the second season under Coach Prime, or will the non-conference slate be a springboard to a winning season? ... Will the Buffs, replacing Oregon and USC with Baylor and Central Florida to open conference play, be able to take advantage of an easier opening schedule? ... Will CU’s back-loaded conference schedule, with the potential to finish against three ranked teams, lead to another frustrating just-short-of-a-bowl-game finish? Or, as it did in 2016, when the Buffs vanquished ranked opponents on their way to the Pac-12 title game, use the tough slate of games to make their case as a Big 12 title contender? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E2 · Fri, January 19, 2024
Fixing Holes in the CU Roster: Which Units are not yet Ready for Prime Time?
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are here to take a unit-by-unit look at your 2024 CU Buffs. Tough as it may be to believe in January, what with the Transfer Portal commitments still flowing in and another Transfer Portal window coming in April, but the CU roster - as is the case for most Power Four teams - is already 80-90% complete. Yes, the CU coaching staff is still in the market for quality transfers, and yes, there will be defections at the end of spring practices, but, unlike 2023, there will not be a wholesale makeover of the roster between now and Fall Camp. What CU has right now is largely what you will see on the field this fall. So ... Which units on the CU roster can be clearly defined as having Power Four conference quality and depth? ... Conversely, which units remain in serious need of upgrades? ... With new transfers coming in this spring, room will have to be made on the roster to keep CU under the 85-man limit. Which units are most likely to see attrition between now and the kickoff to the season on August 31st? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S5 E1 · Fri, January 05, 2024
CU at the Game Mailbag: Coaching Staff and Roster Moves as Coach Prime Begins Year Two in Boulder
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. Welcome to our first podcast of 2024. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will open up the mailbag to discuss your questions and concerns. Included in this episode: – Half of Coach Prime’s coaching staff, including both of his coordinators, have left for other opportunities. Should Buff fans look at these moves as a compliment - that CU has coaches worth hiring away? Or is it cause for concern that Coach Prime will have to reinvent his staff for the 2024 season?; – Only 11 scholarship players from Colorado entered the Transfer Portal in the first window. Is this number a surprise? Will there be a mass exodus come April? Or, is the Buff lineup of 85 scholarship players largely now in place for the fall?; – Now that there is a settlement - at least in principle - between the outgoing Pac-10 and the leftover Pac-2, will Oregon State and Washington State have enough resources to survive, and be relevant when the next round of realignment begins?; – The offensive line room is being completely overhauled. With the transfers coming in, and the signing of five-star phenom Jordan Seaton, does CU have enough quality starters and sufficient quality depth in the offensive line to compete in the Big 12?; and – What are our picks for the national championship game, and should CU fans have a rooting interest one way or the other? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E32 · Fri, December 22, 2023
Special Episode: CU Signing Day! An Impressive Record Haul ... Or a Somewhat Disappointing Day?
Send us a text Welcome to our Signing Day podcast. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are going to discuss one of the most important days on the college football calendar - Signing Day - with a quarter of CU’s 2024 roster sending in their Letters of Intent. We first discuss the overall look of the CU Recruiting Class of 2024, and whether it was a success - the most four-star recruits ever signed in one day by a Colorado coaching staff - or whether it was a disappointment, as the jewel of the Class failed to sign his Letter of Intent, and there were no surprise flips from other programs. We will then take a unit-by-unit look at the CU Class of ‘24, which was dominated by signees playing in the trenches on both sides of the ball. There were also a few talented skill position players joining the Herd, whetting the appetites of Buff fans looking for even more spectacular plays next fall. So ... Should the Buff Nation be alarmed that Coach Prime and his staff only signed five freshmen? ... Did CU bring in enough offensive line talent in the “Protect Shedeur” campaign to make sack reduction in 2024 a realistic possibility? ... Has the groundwork been laid for a winning campaign next fall, or is there still plenty of work left to do in the Transfer Portal between now and Fall Camp to make a bowl bid a realistic expectation? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E31 · Fri, December 08, 2023
Year One of the Coach Prime Era: Hits and Misses / Moving On: Charting Changes in the CU Coaching Staff and Roster
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. Welcome to our first post-season podcast. I am joined for this episode by Neil Langland, and we are going to begin our journey into what promises to be another memorable off-season for the Colorado football program. First, a note. We are going back to posting episodes every other week, with our next episode covering Signing Day. The Recruiting Class of 2024 will be signing their Letters of Intent on Wednesday, December 20th, with our podcast taking a deep dive into the Class being posted that Friday. We will open this podcast with a review of Year One of the Coach Prime era. It’s hard to believe the impact Deion Sanders has had on the CU athletic department, the City of Boulder, and upon college football as a whole, but it’s worth taking a few moments to look back at what the Buff Nation has ... compared to what might have been. Quick quiz: Which is the most unbelievable factoid from Year One of the Coach Prime era? •That CU sold out every home game for the first time in school history (not to mention the Spring Game)?; •That CU, after a 1-11 season, was nationally ranked in September?; or •That more viewers watched the Rocky Mountain Showdown (with a 10:30 p.m., ET kickoff) than watched the prime time Pac-12 championship game between two top five programs in Oregon and Washington? After our short trip down memory lane, we turn our attention to the reshaping of the coaching staff and roster, with a look ahead to how Signing Day might influence CU’s won/loss record next fall. So ... Was the loss of offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, with his “most likely” replacement being Pat Shurmur, a net loss or a net gain for the program? ... If Coach Prime brings in well-known names, like Warren Sapp and Brian Leftwich, who have no collegiate coaching experience, will that help or hurt the development of the roster? ... And ... Are there enough quality offensive and defensive line transfers out there, who can be counted upon to turn CU’s front lines into strengths instead of weaknesses? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E30 · Tue, November 21, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for Colorado at Utah - Buffs Look to Finish the 2023 Campaign on a High Note
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are here to give you our last review/preview of the 2023 season. First, a program note. The review/preview episodes have been posted on Tuesdays during the regular season. After this week’s podcast, we will be going back to posting every other week, with the new episodes being posted on Fridays. So look for the next podcast, talking about roster moves and recruiting, to be posted the first weekend of December. We will open this podcast with a review of CU’s ugly loss on the road against Washington State. As is our custom for the post-mortem on a game, we give our grades for what about the CU effort was Excellent, what was Satisfactory, and what still Needs Improvement - and we’ll leave it a secret as to which category requires the most comment after the Buffs’ humbling loss in Pullman. We will then move on to our “T.I.P.S.” for the upcoming matchup against Utah. Our preview will look at the game from the perspectives of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation, and Statistics, before giving you our predictions for a game which will be played on a crisp Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City. So ... Will Shedeur Sanders play? And, even if he does, will the game be worth watching? ... Can the Buffs catch a down Utah team which has lost three of its last four games, or is it CU which has lost interest in the 2023 season? Will Coach Prime and his staff be able to rally the troops for one last push, or is it time for the Buff Nation to start looking forward to the 2024 season? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E29 · Tue, November 14, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Washington State: Battling for Win No. 5 on a Friday Night
Send us a text This is Stuart Whitehair, publisher and editor for the CU at the Game website, and your host for the CU at the Game podcast. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will open with a review of CU’s hard-to-take 34-31 loss to No. 23 Arizona. As is our custom for the post-mortem on a game, we give our grades for what about the CU effort was Excellent, what was Satisfactory, and what still Needs Improvement for a tough loss - a game in which the Buffs never trailed the Wildcats ... until the clock read 0:00. We will then move on to our “T.I.P.S.” for the upcoming matchup against Washington State. Our preview will look at the game from the perspectives of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation, and Statistics, before giving you our predictions for a game which will be played under the lights on a crisp Friday night in Pullman. So ... In a game featuring two of the top ten passers in the nation, and two of the bottom ten rushing offenses in the nation - which team has the edge? ... Will the Court hearing on the dispute between the “Pac-2" and the “Pac-10" have an influence on the Cougar coaches and players, who are two weeks away from officially being orphans? ... Which team - the team which started out 3-0 and ranked 19th, or the team which started out 4-0 and ranked 13th - has enough emotional energy left in the tank to end their losing streak? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E28 · Tue, November 07, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for Colorado v. No. 23 Arizona / Can the Buffs bring home a win on Senior Day?
Send us a text First, before we talk football, a tip of the CU at the Game hat to the Colorado women’s basketball team. The 20th-ranked Buffs opened their season with a 92-78 win in Las Vegas over the No. 1 ranked - and defending national champion - LSU Tigers. The win represents the second time the CU women’s team has knocked off a No. 1 team, with the other coming in 2021 against Stanford, and the victory certainly bodes well for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will review CU’s 26-19 loss to No. 16 Oregon State. As is our custom for the post-mortem on a game, we give our grades for what about CU's effort was Excellent, what was Satisfactory, and what still Needs Improvement. We will then move on to our “T.I.P.S.” for the upcoming matchup against No. 23 Arizona. Our preview will look at the game from the perspectives of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation, and Statistics, before giving you our predictions for the game which will be played before a sellout crowd at Folsom Field on Senior Day. So ... Can the Colorado coaching staff finally find a way to protect its most precious resource, quarterback Shedeur Sanders? Or, will the most sacked quarterback in the FBS continue to be harassed by opposing defenses? ... Is it possible that Arizona, which has played five straight games against ranked opponents, winning the last three, will be looking past the Buffs? ... Can the Buffs find enough defensive and special teams magic to assist CU’s struggling offense, enough to cobble together enough points to send the Buff Nation home happy, with a victory in the final home game of the season? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E27 · Tue, October 31, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. No. 16 Oregon State / Post-Mortem on CU at No. 23 UCLA
Send us a text I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will review CU’s final trip to the Rose Bowl as a member of the Pac-12. The Buffs fell to No. 23 UCLA, 28-16, and we will do the post-mortem on the game, giving out our grades for what about the CU effort was Excellent, what was Satisfactory, and what still Needs Improvement. We will then move on to our “T.I.P.S.” for the upcoming matchup against No. 16 Oregon State. Our preview will look at the game from the perspectives of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation, and Statistics, before giving you our predictions for the game to be played before a sellout crowd at Folsom Field for Homecoming. So ... Can the Colorado coaching staff find a way to protect its most precious resource, quarterback Shedeur Sanders? Or, will the most sacked quarterback in the FBS continue to be harassed by opposing defenses? ... Will the Buffs come up with a defensive game plan to stop Oregon State running back Damien Martinez, who has been a force for the Beavers this season - and who had over 170 yards and three touchdowns rushing the last time CU played Oregon State? ... Will the Buffs be able to regain a little Folsom Field magic, and restore the nation’s faith in Coach Prime and Co.? Or, will the national narrative about the Buffs continue to sour as the calendar turns to November? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E26 · Tue, October 24, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 23 UCLA / Mid-season Report Card for the 4-3 Buffs
Send us a text The Buffs have been nursing their injuries, both physical and mental, as they begin their preparations for the second half of the 2023 season. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will take a look back at the first half of the season, and give you our midterm grades for CU’s offense, defense, special teams, and coaching staff. We’ll then move on to our “T.I.P.S.” for the upcoming matchup against No. 23 UCLA. Our review will look at the game from the perspectives of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation, and Statistics, before giving you our predictions for the game to be played before a sellout crowd in the Rose Bowl. So ... Does CU’s prolific passing game, behind record-setting quarterback Shedeur Sanders, deserve an “A” for the first half of the season? Or does the lack of a running attack tarnish the Buffs’ overall grade? ... Does the sieve of a defense give the CU defense a failing grade? Or does the talented secondary give the Buff Nation hope for a more productive second half? ... Can the Buffs find a way to resurrect its rushing attack against one of the best run defenses in the country in UCLA? Or will it be "Shedeur or bust" for the Buffs in Pasadena? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E25 · Tue, October 10, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for Colorado v. Stanford / Review of CU's 27-24 win over Arizona State
Send us a text So ... did you take CU and the over six weeks ago? Vegas prognosticators had the over/under for CU at 3.5 wins for the season, so if you bet on your Buffs and took the over, you can cash in your ticket. Midway through the 2023 campaign, the Buffs are 4-2, with CU traveling to Tempe and coming home with win No. 4, taking out Arizona State, 27-24. I am joined for this podcast by Neil Langland, and we will present our review of the ASU game, using categories of Excellent, Satisfactory and Needs Improvement to sift through yet another comeback win in the first year of the Coach Prime era. We will then turn our attention to the upcoming Friday the 13th matchup against Stanford. Our “T.I.P.S.” will take you through the categories of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation and Statistics, before giving you our predictions for the game against the Cardinal. So ... Will the bye week for Stanford before facing the Buffs prove to be a positive for the Cardinal, as it did for the CSU Rams a few weeks ago? ... Can the Buffs find a way to exploit one of the worst pass defenses in the country? ... Will the Buffs, a double-digit favorite for the second time this season, take care of business early against Stanford, or will this game be another fourth quarter nail-biter for the Buff Nation? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E24 · Tue, October 03, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Arizona State / Taking Positives from the 48-41 loss to No. 8 USC
Send us a text When does a loss feel like a win? I’ll tell you - It’s when 54,000 members of the Buff Nation witness a furious comeback against the No. 8 team in the nation. The Buffs came up short against USC, falling 48-41, but did build some momentum for the rest of the season as the gauntlet of CU’s September schedule is finally behind us. I am joined for this podcast by Neil Langland, and we will present our review of the USC game, using categories of Excellent, Satisfactory and Needs Improvement to sift through yet another exciting game in the first year of the Coach Prime era. We will then turn our attention to the upcoming matchup in the desert against Arizona State. Our “T.I.P.S.” will take you through the categories of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation and Statistics, before giving you our predictions for the game against the Sun Devils. So ... Will Arizona State quarterback Trenton Bourguet, who had over 400 yards passing and three touchdowns against the Buffs in Boulder last fall, be able to duplicate his numbers against Coach Prime’s defense? ... Will the CU players be able to handle the afternoon heat of Tempe, with a forecast high at kickoff of 100-degrees? ... Will the Buffs find a way to play a solid first half, and not have to rely on a second half comeback - again? ... Will the Buffs take the positives from the USC game, and turn them into win No. 4 of the season? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E23 · Tue, September 26, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. No. 8 USC - The White Out Breakfast in Boulder
Send us a text The Buffs took one on the chin last weekend, falling on the road to No. 10 Oregon, 42-6. I am joined for this episode by Neil Langland, and we will do the post-mortem on CU’s first loss in the Coach Prime era, and speculate as to what lessons, if any, the Buff players and the Buff Nation can take from the defeat. We then move on to our “T.I.P.S.” for CU’s last chance as a member of the Pac-12 to take down the Trojans of USC. Using the categories of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation, and Statistics, we break down what the eighth-ranked Trojans are bringing to breakfast in Boulder, and what the CU coaches and players might exploit in their bid for an upset. So ... Will the 9:00 a.m. body clock kickoff work to USC’s disadvantage? ... Will former Buff Brenden Rice be featured in his return to Folsom Field? ... Will the CU coaching staff follow the Arizona State template, and throw in every trick play in the playbook in an attempt to stay with the high octane scoring machine which is the USC offense? ... Will the Buff players rebound from their first loss at CU with renewed swagger, or will this turn into a second consecutive rout, a game which is out of reach by halftime? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E22 · Tue, September 19, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon / Recapping CU's 43-35 win over CSU
Send us a text Well, it’s never easy being a Buff fan, but it continues to be rewarding, as Colorado pulled out a double-overtime win over Colorado State, 43-35. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will discuss the Buffs’ late night comeback, and what the win means for the program going forward. We will also give you our grades for the game, breaking down the Rocky Mountain Showdown into what was Excellent, what was Satisfactory, and what still Needs Improvement. We then turn our attention to CU’s trip to Eugene to face the tenth-ranked Oregon Ducks. Our “T.I.P.S.” discussion will do a deep dive into categories of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation and Statistics. So ... A week after failing to hold a CSU freshman quarterback in check, how will the CU defense fare against Heisman trophy candidate Bo Nix? ... Can Buff quarterback Shedeur Sanders find a new security blanket, now that all-everything Travis Hunter is out for the next several weeks? ... Can the CU defense, which leads the nation in turnovers, continue to produce opportunities for the CU offense, giving the Buffs a chance to defeat yet another ranked three-touchdown favorite on the road? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E21 · Tue, September 12, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for the CU/CSU Rocky Mountain Showdown / Basking in the glow of the 36-14 win over Nebraska
Send us a text So, are you still savoring the Buffs’ 36-14 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers, or are you ready to move on the Rocky Mountain Showdown? I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are going to take a few extra minutes on this episode to revel in CU’s huge win over the Big Red from Lincoln. We will also break down the game against the Cornhuskers into what elements of CU's performance we feel could be rated as Excellent, what was merely Satisfactory, and what are areas which still Need Improvement. We will then move on to our “T.I.P.S.” for the renewal of the rivalry against Colorado State. The Buffs have won five straight in the series overall, but the teams haven’t met since 2019. We will review the Blackout game in terms of Talent, Intangibles, Preparation, and Statistics, before giving you our predictions for the game. So ... Are the handful of first-team All-Mountain West performers in the CSU lineup enough to make it a game? ... Will the Rams have a big enough chip on their shoulder, or will the Buffs have too great of a hangover, to give CSU a chance at an upset? ... Will the extra week of preparation - yes, CSU had a bye week last week - give the Rams an added advantage? ... And are there any stats from the games played to date which could lead you to believe that the 23.5-point spread is way too great? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E20 · Tue, September 05, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Nebraska / Plus: Savoring the Upset Win Over No. 17 TCU
Send us a text So ... How was your Labor Day weekend? If you are a Buff fan, it was one for the books, as Colorado, a 20.5-point underdog, went on the road and upset No. 17 TCU, 45-42. I am joined by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we take a little time to talk about and savor one of the most significant CU victories in years. But, Coach Prime, his staff, and his players don’t have time to relish the season opening win and all of the accolades, as rival Nebraska is coming to Boulder for Coach Prime’s Folsom Field debut. We will dissect the upcoming roster matchups, using our “T.I.P.S.” process - analyzing Talent, Intangibles, Preparation and Statistics - before giving you our predictions. So ... Will the Buffs continue to shine on offense? ... Will the CU coaching staff be able to make corrections on defense and special teams? ... What will be Nebraska’s game plan, coming off of a disheartening 13-10 season opening loss to Minnesota? ... What will be the emotional levels for both teams, in a rivalry game which means so much to both fan bases? ... Can Coach Prime coax another winning performance from his Buffs? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E19 · Mon, August 28, 2023
"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 17 TCU - The Coach Prime Era at CU Makes It's Debut
Send us a text Well, the 2023 season is finally here! Joining me for this episode are Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be previewing CU’s trip to Ft. Worth to take on No. 17 TCU. For those of you who are new to the podcast, we break down our preview into four segments. Our “T.I.P.S.” for the game includes a discussion of TCU’s “Talent” ; which “Intangibles” will impact the game, the effect “Preparation” will play; and which “Statistics” are the most important for the 2023 season opener. So ... How well has TCU overcome the loss of eight players to the NFL draft? ... How well will each team be able to handle the first signs of adversity? ... What role will the 100+ degree weather play in the outcome? ... Which will be the crucial statistical categories to track, as CU hopes to defy the oddsmakers, with Vegas listing the Buffs as 20.5-point underdogs? And, most important ... Will our predictions for the outcome match yours? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E18 · Fri, August 18, 2023
Crystal Ball: Game-by-Game Predictions for CU's 2023 Season
Send us a text For this preview episode, I am joined by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland. We will be taking you through the 2023 CU campaign, and giving you our game-by-game predictions. Vegas has the over/under for Colorado at 3.5 wins, and the Pac-12 preseason media poll has CU finishing 11th in the conference. Meanwhile, there are many in the Buff Nation who have declared that anything short of a winning season and a bowl bid in Coach Prime’s first season must be considered a disappointment. Who's right? So ... Can the Buffs overcome a brutal September, which includes three ranked opponents and two games against bitter rivals? ... Will the Buffs be able to overcome inevitable losses to injury, which may be suffered by players at key positions? ... Will Coach Prime lead the Buffs to only their third winning season as a member of the Pac-12? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E17 · Tue, August 08, 2023
Fall Camp Unit-by-Unit Preview: Defense / Plus: "Black Friday" and the Demise of the Pac-12
Send us a text For this special episode, I am joined by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we divide the podcast into two segments. First, we take a look at “Black Friday” - August 4, 2023 - when the Pac-12, for all intents and purposes, ceased to exist. There were plenty of actors who played a role in the demise of the conference, but it wasn’t until the media deal offered to the schools was found wanting that the 108-year old conference fell apart. Who bears the brunt of the blame for the mass exodus, and who were the winners and the losers when the dust settled? We then move back to talking about actual football. CU’s Fall Camp is underway, and we take a unit-by-unit look at the Buff defense, rating each unit as to whether it rates as being in the top half of the Pac-12 ... or the bottom half. So ... Is there enough heft in CU’s interior defensive line to keep opposing offenses from running straight at the Buff defense? ... Is there enough speed and talent at the edge to wreak some havoc on opposing quarterbacks? ... Are CU star cornerbacks ready for prime time, or are they still a few games - or even a full season - away from being dominant? ... Is this the best back end CU’s defense has had since 2016? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E16 · Wed, August 02, 2023
Special Episode: CU's Bold Move to Return to the Big 12, and How Colorado is Reshaping the Future of Two Power Five Conferences
Send us a text Welcome to a special episode of the podcast. I am joined by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we discuss CU’s decision to rejoin the Big 12. We address the criticisms of the move, including leaving the AAU-rich “better fit” of the Pac-12 for the “Truck stop conference” of the Big 12, and CU’s audacity to make the move before the Pac-12 media contracts were announced. We then respond to the pundits, including Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, who have taken their shots at the Buffs as they abandon the ship which is the floundering S.S. Pac-Whatever. We then, armed with at least an outline of what the Pac-12 media contracts will look like going forward, take a look at the future of the two conferences. Did Colorado make the right move, choosing the stability of the Big 12 media deals over what appears to be the Pac-12's streaming-centric deal with Apple-Plus? Will the Buffs’ move incite a stampede of realignment? How will the CU programs - including its basketball teams - fare in the newly configured Big 12? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E15 · Fri, July 21, 2023
CU Fall Camp Unit-by-Unit Preview: Offense
Send us a text You know that football season is getting close when we start in on our Fall Camp previews. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we work through a unit-by-unit preview of the Colorado offense. Our yardstick for success? Whether each unit should be ranked as one of the top six units in the Pac-12, or whether each room is still to be considered inferior by Power Five standards. So ... Is Shedeur Sanders one of the top six quarterbacks in the Pac-12? ... Will the improved quality of the running back room produce a “bell cow” back to carry the load as the featured back, or will CU ultimately choose to go with a running back by committee approach? ... Are the wide receivers too similar in size and style to produce break out players, or should this be considered one of the most talented rooms on the roster? ... Does CU even consider tight ends to be a part of the team? ... And ... Ultimately, the most important question: Can the Buff coaching staff cobble together an offensive line which will allow CU’s highly rated skill position players to shine, or will ineffective play along the line prove to be CU’s Achilles heel in 2023? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E14 · Fri, July 07, 2023
CU Potluck Podcast: You Can't Always Get What You Want
Send us a text Welcome to our Potluck Podcast. This episode was supposed to be about the new Pac-12 media contracts, but the Pac-12 continues to disappoint. Instead, I am joined for this podcast by Neil Langland, and we will touch on a number of topics ... First, we will try and make sense from the lack of any announced Pac-12 media contracts ... When conference fans can expect some answers ... And whether the deal will ultimately be sufficient to keep the conference together. Up next ... The messy “divorce” between San Diego State and the Mountain West conference, and how the posturing between the two sparring parties will likely play out for the suddenly orphaned Aztecs. Also ... Name, Image and Likeness has been part of collegiate athletics for two years now. How is it working out? What does the future hold for CU, the school which is “not about NIL, but the NFL”? ... Preseason magazines can’t make up their minds about how the 2023 season will play out for the Buffs. Which prognosticators are closest to getting it right? ... And ... What should Buff fans make of USC and UCLA, as the Trojans and Bruins play their final season in the Pac-12? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E13 · Fri, June 23, 2023
The "Yea" or "Nay" Episode: Just How Will CU's 2023 Season Play Out?
Send us a text I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we discuss the latest news on San Diego State and it’s perilous position as it tries to maneuver its way into a Power Five conference. We also discuss the commitment of journeyman transfer quarterback Gavin Kuld, and what his addition could mean to the CU quarterback room this fall. The main topic of this podcast, though, is a new “ Yea or Nay ” segment. In this episode, we take on the following questions about your Buffs: – Yea or Nay : Shedeur Sanders will set a new school record this fall for passing yards and/or passing touchdowns (current records: 3,200 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns, both records set by Sefo Liufau in 2014); – Yea or Nay : CU’s Recruiting Class of 2024 will rank in the Top 30 in the nation; – Yea or Nay : The Buff defense will surpass last season’s sack total (a nation’s worst nine) in the first four games of the 2023 season; – Yea or Nay : CU will add a scholarship quarterback to the roster before the start of Fall Camp; – Yea or Nay : Travis Hunter will lead the team this fall in one of the following categories: receiving yards; touchdowns receiving; or receiving yards per catch; and – Yea or Nay : Shedeur Sanders will be CU’s starting quarterback in 2024. How would you answer these questions? Do your answers match up with ours? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E12 · Fri, June 09, 2023
CU at the Crossroads: Media Revenue Contracts and Future Conference Membership at Stake
Send us a text It’s been almost a full year since USC and UCLA shocked their Pac-12 brethren with the announcement that they would be leaving the conference for the Big Ten in 2024. Which means it’s also been almost a full year that Pac-12 fans have been waiting for the conference to decide on expansion, and to sign new media contracts. The long wait may soon be over, as it is being reported that one hurdle - equal revenue sharing while making allowances for post-season success - has been cleared. I am joined for this episode by Neil Langland, and we discuss the status of the Pac-12 media contract negotiations. We then turn our attention to the current buzz about Colorado leaving the Pac-12 and rejoining the Big 12. We go through the pros and cons of leaving and staying, and what it would take for it to make sense for the Buffs to rejoin their former conference. So ... Could disappointing Pac-12 media contracts force CU’s hand? Could grant of rights negotiations still prove to be the sticking point which splinters the conference? Is expansion into southern California and Texas a panacea which could keep the Pac-12 from falling further behind other Power Five conferences in revenue distributions? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E11 · Fri, May 26, 2023
CU at the Game Mailbag: Entering the First Summer of the Coach Prime Era
Send us a text With the Pac-12 media contracts still in limbo, and CU’s roster largely in place for the 2023 season, it’s a good time for a mailbag episode (questions always welcome at cuatthegame@gmail.com). I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we discuss the burning CU questions of the day: – Dan Patrick at Fox Sports says Coach Prime and his Buffs could go 0-5 in September, and yet could still be considered successful. Is that a realistic assessment, or national media hyperbole?; – With the roster largely in place, and no transfer backup quarterback in sight, is Coach Prime going to need to have Travis Hunter in a Wildcat formation as Plan B for the 2023 campaign? Or will it be Shedeur Sanders and a prayer for his health be CU’s best hope for the season?; – Will the Pac-12 media contracts ever get done? Will it contain a number of games which will be exclusively aired by streaming services (and could that actually be considered a good thing for the Pac-12)?; – Did CU overreach when it came to pricing the single game tickets for the Nebraska game? Will sticker shock help to keep The Red out? Or will the high prices help CU’s bottom line, but only serve to guarantee more Cornhusker fans in the stands on September 9th? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E10 · Fri, May 12, 2023
Completing the CU Roster: Which holes need to be filled?
Send us a text The CU roster is up to 75 members, with only ten more scholarships available for the 2023 season. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger, and we will be taking a unit-by-unit look at the current roster, and speculate as to which holes still need to be filled before the start of Fall Camp. So ... Does CU dare go into the season with only Shedeur Sanders and two true freshmen in the quarterback room? ... Is there a unicorn out there - a quarterback with starting experience who is willing to be a back up to the coach’s son - or is the Buff Nation destined to spend the entire 2023 campaign fearful of an injury to its starting quarterback? ... Will CU close the deal on a running back transfer? ... Can we consider the offensive line significantly upgraded, when five of the 11 new lineman entered college with zero Power Five scholarship offers? ... Will the recent flood of defensive line commitments be sufficient to shore up one of the worst units on the 2022 team? ... Will the star quality in the defensive backfield be enough to carry the defense to significantly improved numbers this fall? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E9 · Fri, April 28, 2023
CU Spring Game Recap / Prime Cuts: Making Sense of CU's Drastic Roster Overhaul
Send us a text It’s been a week to remember for CU and its fans. I am joined by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we have plenty to discuss. Coach Prime and the Buffs played before a sell out crowd of 47,277 and over a half million viewers on ESPN at the CU Spring Game, giving the Buff Nation, recruits, and the college football world a two-hour infomercial promoting Colorado football. That story would have been enough for us to cover, but Coach Prime quickly out-staged even himself as the Transfer Portal has been flooded with now former Buffs. Only a dozen or so scholarship Buffs remain from the 2022 roster, with over three dozen players entering the Transfer Portal in the span of just a few days after the Spring Game. Did CU handle the roster overhaul properly, and did the unprecedented loss of players put a tarnish on an otherwise golden weekend for the program? ... Should Buff fans have been surprised by the moves, considering this is what Coach Prime has been saying all along that this was what was coming? ... Are there enough quality players in the Portal to give CU a Power Five worthy lineup come August 1st? ... Or, will CU coaches come to regret cutting dozens of players from the current roster? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E8 · Fri, April 14, 2023
CU Spring Game Preview: What We Expect to See; What We Would Like to See
Send us a text On Saturday, April 22nd, before a sold out Folsom Field and a national ESPN television audience, CU will play the most anticipated Spring Game in school history - and certainly the most well attended . The 2023 Spring Game will represent the on field debut of the Coach Prime era. Brad Geiger and Neil Langland join me for a unit-by-unit preview of the Spring game, breaking the roster down by “What we expect to see” from each unit, and “What we would like to see” from each unit. So ... Will Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn, Jr., produce ESPN SportsCenter worthy highlights? ... Will there be any separation in the crowded wide receiver and running back rosters? ... Will the front seven of the CU defense pleasantly surprise, or expose themselves to be a liability for the 2023 season? ... Will the defensive backs be able to handle CU’s explosive receivers, or will Buff fans long for the start of the Travis Hunter and Cormani McClain era at cornerback this fall? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E7 · Fri, March 31, 2023
Coach Prime's First 100 Days / Notes and Quotes from CU's Spring Practices
Send us a text The first 100 days of the Coach Prime era at the University of Colorado have already given Buff fans the most exciting off-season in memory. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we discuss how Deion Sanders is changing the Buff program, and how he has quickly reversed the national perception of Colorado football. We then turn our attention to the opening of spring football in Boulder. With access to practices significantly increased from years past, there is plenty of fodder for discussion. In addition to reports from the video room, there are quotes to dissect from, amongst others, Coach Prime, offensive coordinator Sean Lewis and defensive coordinator Charles Kelly. So ... Should Travis Hunter be spending time this spring as a wide receiver instead of focusing on the cornerback position? Is offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle’s pessimism cause for concern - or is it just coach speak? With Coach Prime indicating CU is far from done in the Transfer Portal, which units are most likely to be an area of focus when the Portal reopens? What will a sold out Folsom Field for the spring game mean to players who may not be on the roster come August? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E6 · Fri, March 17, 2023
Spring Practices Primer: Names to Listen for; Questions Which Need to Be Answered
Send us a text Are you ready for some football? Okay, are you at least ready for the Buffs to don pads for the first time in the Deion Sanders era? The Buffs are opening spring practices with 96 scholarship players, already 11 over the maximum allowed come August, so competition for roster spots over the next five weeks will be intense. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will go through each unit of the roster, asking two questions: Who are the names CU fans should be listening for when the coaches talk with the press?; and Which questions about the roster and depth chart should the Buff Nation expect to have answered this spring? Pretty much everything Coach Prime has done since taking over the Buffs in December has moved the program forward, and CU fans will be expecting great things this spring. This primer will give you the names and position battles to keep an eye on as we work toward the nationally televised Spring game on April 22nd. What do you need to know in order to impress your fellow Buff fans with your knowledge of all things CU? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E5 · Fri, March 03, 2023
Special Episode: An Insider's Look at CU's Challenges in the Ever Evolving Landscape of NIL
Send us a text Welcome to a special episode of the podcast. I am joined for this episode by Tim Shannon , an attorney - and CU Buff! - from the Boulder law firm of Hutchinson, Black and Cook. The HBC firm specializes in sports law, and I am grateful to Tim for taking the time to talk with us about Name, Image and Likeness, and how the brave new world of NIL is affecting CU athletics. Tim opens with a brief but informative history of how we got to where we are today. He discusses the O’Bannon and Alston cases which led the NCAA to basically concede defeat and leave the schools and states to determine NIL marketplace rules. We then shift to how NIL has evolved from the opening bell on July 1, 2021, to the present day. It’s been a wild ride ... with Texas offering its offensive linemen $50,000 apiece, Texas A&M basically buying the highest rated recruiting Class in the history of the recruiting services, with both of those stories being trumped by the Jaden Rashada $13.8 million contract fiasco. But how does all of this affect dear ol’ CU going forward? Coach Prime has insisted that CU is “not about the NIL, but the NFL”. Will that strategy work, or will it take contributions to CU Collectives like Buffs4Life, and Coach Prime’s own cache as a revenue generator to stay in the recruiting and Transfer Portal game? How is the law firm of Hutchinson, Black and Cook working to help CU student athletes to get the most of the ever-changing NIL landscape? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E4 · Fri, February 17, 2023
CU at the Game Mailbag Episode: Coach Prime at the Super Bowl / Pac-12 Media Rights Debacle / Transfer Portal Numbers: Hype or Precursor to Success?
Send us a text Welcome to our first Mailbag episode of the 2023 season. As we navigate the brief respite between the end of the Recruiting cycle and the start of spring practices, I am joined by Brad Geiger to answer some of your questions (If you have a question, comment or concern, just drop me a note at cuatthegame@gmail.com). Questions for this episode: – Coach Prime took a few moments during the NFL Awards show to “recruit”. Were his comments appropriate for the venue? Does his comment, “We don’t have no NIL money, either, by the way” come across as an admission that CU won’t be able to compete with the big boys, or is it a shrewd ploy to turn the NIL issue on its head?; – What’s up with the Pac-12 media deal? Is the Pac-12 destined to have a disappointing payout?; – What do you think of the possibility of San Diego State and SMU joining the Pac-12? A good deal, or a desperate move which will be mocked (trading the LA schools for two G-5 schools)?; – Are we getting over-hyped on all the transfers? Only five of the 25 CU transfer players are blue-chip recruits, which means the other 20 are three-star players. Didn’t CU just jettison 20-25 three-star players? Is CU really that much better off?; and – What do you make of the demand for spring game tickets (over 27,000 sold)? Why all of the hype for a glorified scrimmage? Are Buff fans getting ahead of themselves here, or is this proof that CU is a “sleeping giant”? How would you answer these questions? Will you agree with our responses? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E3 · Fri, February 03, 2023
CU Recruiting Revival: Behind Coach Prime's Historic Recruiting Class of 2023
Send us a text Welcome to the 100th episode of the CU at the Game podcast. I am joined for this special edition by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be discussing Signing Day II and the CU Recruiting Class of 2023. The CU Coaching staff was able to finalize its historic Class with the signing of five-star cornerback Cormani McClain , adding a late happy surprise with the commitment of four-star Alabama linebacker transfer Demouy Kennedy . Still, Signing Day II was mostly quiet, with the majority of the largest Class in CU Recruiting history already in place by Signing Day. A total of 42 new scholarship players - almost half of the 85-man limit CU will need to cut down to by August 1st - have joined the Herd. This Class will be remembered as having the most blue-chip prospects, the most undergraduate transfers, and the most geographically diverse assemblage of talent in CU history ... not to mention picking up two five-star recruits in the same Class for the first time ever, and a final ranking in the Top 25 in the nation. We will also spend a significant amount of time going through the quotable quotes from Coach Prime’s press conference ... Will CU’s Elite Underclassmen weekend lead to an even more highly ranked Recruiting Class of 2024? ... Is Coach Prime’s philosophy of building his defense from the “outside in” going to work in the Pac-12? ... Can CU head coach Deion Sanders turn CU’s relative lack of NIL “bags” to his advantage with recruits? ... Is Coach Prime’s bringing “hope to the house” going to translate to victories come September and beyond? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E2 · Fri, January 20, 2023
5* CB Recruit Cormani McClain Commits to CU! / Constructing CU's 2023 Starting Lineup / CU's Pac-12 Schedule: Opportunities? Or a Bataan Death March?
Send us a text Well, timing is everything! Just a few hours before sitting down with Brad Geiger and Neil Langland to tape our latest podcast, five-star cornerback prospect Cormani McClain verbally committed to play for Coach Prime at Colorado. While McClain, one of the highest-rated recruits in CU history, can’t officially become a Buff until February 1st, his verbal commitment gives us the opportunity to talk about what McClain means to the 2023 CU roster, what his announcement means to the national perception of the Colorado program, and what his signing could mean to help CU recruit additional star power for the Class of 2024 and beyond. We then move on to discuss the tidal wave of new talent coming to the Champions Center this fall. Coach Prime and his staff have now replaced over half of the roster from the 2022 season, with more additions - and subtractions - to come. How do the coaches keep the team from fracturing into an “us v. them” locker room? Can CU construct a starting lineup just from the incoming players? Are CU fans expecting too much from the transfers, many of whom are from Power Five conference schools, but few of whom were multiple year starters at their former schools? We also will lean into the question of the Transfer Portal, and how CU will find a way back to 85 scholarship players by the start of Fall Camp. Our final segment is a discussion about the recently released Pac-12 schedule. CU will open its conference schedule on the road against Oregon, then return home to face USC. Is this a move to punish CU and its flamboyant new head coach? Or is this just the Pac-12 grabbing for as much television revenue from the hiring of Coach Prime as it can early in the season? There are many adjectives to describe what has happened with the CU football program since Coach Sanders was hired on December 4th, but dull is not one of them. What impact will the latest commitment have on the future of the program? Is the CU 2023 schedule one of numerous opportunities ... or is it a Bataan Death March? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S4 E1 · Mon, January 09, 2023
Prime Numbers: Where Will Future Additions (and Subtractions) Come From on CU's Roster? / Plus: Grading CU Assistant Coaching Hires
Send us a text Welcome to the first episode of Season Four for the CU at the Game podcast! I am joined for the initial installment of the 2023 season by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will be discussing the finalization of the CU assistant coaching lineup, as well as a unit-by-unit review of the current CU roster. Coach Prime has his coaching staff in place for the season. Half of his assistants have followed him from Jackson State - Is that too high a total? How will the offensive and defensive schemes play out under coordinators Sean Lewis and Charles Kelly? Is it just us ... or has CU made great strides in attracting quality recruiters to the coaching staff? As to the lineup ... Buff fans are excited about every new announcement of a commitment, but now they are coming at a defined cost. CU, like every other FBS school, will need to be down to 85 scholarship players come the opening of Fall Camp, and Colorado is already in the 90s in scholarship players. With that backdrop, we review each unit on the team, and decide whether CU is “Set” at that position, or “Still Searching”, using the guideline of projecting that any new recruit may be a good - but not necessarily great - prospect, and whether the addition will offset the loss of another good player already on the team. Which units does CU have enough talent to compete at the Pac-12 level? ... And which units are still in need of significant upgrades over the next few weeks and months? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E45 · Thu, December 22, 2022
CU Signing Day: Reviewing Coach Prime's First Recruiting Class
Send us a text Signing Day, 2022, is in the books ... or is it? I am joined by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will discuss the day that was, as CU signed over 20 new Buffs into the fold. Coach Prime and his staff brought in a four-star quarterback, a four-star running back, and a four-star wide receiver, together with - literally - almost a ton of offensive line strength. On the defensive side of the ball there were pleasant surprises, including significant upgrades to the linebacker corps and the defensive backfield. So ... How will the Buff Nation receive the Recruiting Class of 2023? ... Is the final grade going to be dependent upon whether other high-profile recruits sign on to the Class, or will the upgrades made - including the signing of CU’s first NFL Draft-worthy quarterback in a quarter century - be enough to show that Coach Prime and his staff are ready to make significant inroads in the 2023 season? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E44 · Tue, December 06, 2022
Special Episode - The Hiring of Deion Sanders: CU in "Prime Time"
Send us a text So, how is your December going so far? In a bold move that the Buff Nation has been longing for, the University of Colorado has hired Deion Sanders to be its 28th head football coach. After a wait of several months, and a stressful final week as we waited for the anticipated announcement, Colorado fans have been given an early Christmas present, with Coach Prime coming to Boulder. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will go through one of the biggest off-season weeks in CU football history. We’ll start with the agonizing wait for the official announcement, with the fears that somehow, someway, the deal for Sanders would fall through. We’ll then talk about our reactions to the hire, and our thoughts on what Coach Sanders had to say to his team at Jackson State, to his new team in Boulder. We’ll finish with a look at national press reaction to the hire, and take a look at the details of Coach Prime’s contract. So ... Is this a pivotal moment in Colorado history, one which we will be celebrating for years to come? ... Will Sanders use CU as a stepping stone, moving on before the Buffs can reestablish themselves as a competitive program? ... Will Coach Prime’s personality prove to be an uncomfortable fit for Boulder, or will he become one of the most popular coaches to ever lead a team onto Folsom Field? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E43 · Tue, November 22, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. No. 14 Utah / Plus: ESPN Game Day Report; Transfer Policy "Discussions"
Send us a text Another November game; another lopsided loss. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will give you a (mercifully quick) recap of the 54-7 loss to No. 15 Washington. CU’s defense surrendered three touchdowns on Washington’s first three drives, and the Huskies never looked back, sending the reeling Buffs to their tenth loss of the season. On the brighter side, Brad and I have a report from ESPN GameDay’s trip to Bozeman, Montana. The iconic show was in town for the 121st “Brawl of the Wild”, with No. 3 Montana State dominating No. 12 Montana, 55-21. It was cold, it was fun, and it was an experience Buff fans have been longing for since ESPN’s last visit to Boulder ... back in 1996. There is also a discussion about recent quotes from CU Chancellor Phil DiStefano, and whether there will finally be some movement on transfer policies at CU (spoiler alert: Don’t hold your breath). We will also, of course, bring you our “T.I.P.S.” for the upcoming season finale against No. 14 Utah. It will be Senior Day, but the Buffs are once again heavy underdogs, with Las Vegas pegging the Utes as a 29.5-point favorite. So ... Can the Buff defense be proud of the fact that they held the nation’s leading passer, Washington’s Michael Penix, Jr., to his lowest output of the season? ... What was it like hanging out in single digit temperatures, watching Sir Nick Faldo and ESPN’s Lee Corso pick the Bobcats to take down the Grizzlies? ... Is there any hope for change - or at least the conversation about change - of CU’s transfer policies? ... And do the Buffs have a chance to hold back the Utah offense, the 7th Top 25 offense the Buffs have faced this season? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E42 · Tue, November 15, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 15 Washington / Plus: Representing CU at ESPN Game Day!
Send us a text Another week, another lopsided loss. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will give you a recap of the USC game, a 55-17 final, including a discussion of how the Buffs managed to have the lead after the first quarter, and the sportsmanship - and gamesmanship - involved in USC’s final score with 36 seconds remaining in the game. But, before we dive into the post-mortem of the USC game, we will discuss ESPN Game Day. It’s been a quarter of a century since CU was involved in a Game Day visit, but Stuart and Brad will be taking in the ESPN pregame program this weekend nonetheless, as ESPN will be broadcasting from the site of the “Brawl of the Wild”, the rivalry game between Montana State and Montana, coming to the world Saturday morning from Bozeman, Montana. It will be cold, but the University of Colorado will be represented in the early morning crowd. We will also, of course, bring you our “T.I.P.S.” for the upcoming matchup against No. 15 Washington, and CU’s chances as a 31.0-point underdog. So ... Do you know how many times CU and Boulder have hosted ESPN GameDay? ... Can you name the last time CU played a game, albeit on the road, before the Game Day crew? ... Did you know that the Buffs, fresh off of facing Bo Nix and Caleb Williams, will now be facing the nation’s No. 1 passer in Michael Penix? ... Is there one chance in a thousand that the CU game will be a trap game for the Huskies, coming off of a rivalry win over Oregon, and a week before the Apple Cup rivalry game against Washington State? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E41 · Tue, November 08, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 8 USC / Plus: CU's Unexpected Bump In Recruiting Commitments
Send us a text Considering the 31.5-point spread, the 49-10 loss to No. 8 Oregon was all too predictable. The Ducks showcased their Heisman trophy candidate quarterback, Bo Nix, and generally had their way with the Buffs. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will start with a recap of the Oregon game, including a discussion of the trick plays the Ducks used to score, and the quotes from CU defector Christian Gonzalez after the game. Next, before diving into our “T.I.P.S.” for the game against the new No. 8 team in the nation, USC, we will discuss the interview given by CU President Todd Saliman , and whether there is enough going on behind the scenes to improve CU’s chances at improving its transfer rules, and to hire the right coach to give the Buffs a chance at a quick turnaround in 2023. There is also a discussion of how the interim coaching staff under Mike Sanford has, despite all of CU’s shortcomings, managed to bring in three new commitments to the CU Recruiting Class of 2023. What’s even more impressive is that these new recruits are some of the highest-rated in CU’s current 19-member Class. So ... Can CU, which has never beaten USC in 15 previous attempts, make a game of it on Friday night on national television? ... Can the Buff offense, without star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, exploit the nation’s 95th-ranked defense? ... Will the Trojans, who have big games against UCLA and Notre Dame to close out the season, be looking past Colorado, at least enough for the Buffs to cover the 34.0-point spread? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E40 · Tue, November 01, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. No. 8 Oregon / Should McCown Sit Out? / Plus: The Buffs4Life Collective - CU's First Baby Step Back to Respectability?
Send us a text It may have been CU’s last best hope for a victory last weekend, but the Buffs fell at home to Arizona State, 42-34. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will start with a recap of the loss to Arizona State, including the failings of the defense to get off the field, which were only slightly offset by CU's best offensive output of the season, and some special plays by the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week and the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week, Jordyn Tyson . Next, before diving into our “T.I.P.S.” for the game against No. 8 Oregon, we will debate the pros and cons of sitting freshman quarterback Owen McCown . McCown has played in four games this season, and, if he sits out the last four, will preserve his redshirt, and still have four years of eligibility remaining. If he’s healthy, should he play? There is also a discussion of the creation of the Buffs4Life NIL Collective . CU fans have been clamoring for the past 16 months for a Collective, a pool of dollars to lure high school recruits and transfers to play at CU, and now one exists. Will this Collective be the light at the end of CU’s long dark tunnel? So ... Can the Buffs find a way to beat the 30-point spread that Las Vegas has put on the game? ... Or will the Ducks, playing before a national ESPN audience with a 1:30 p.m., MT, kickoff, be looking to impress the College Football Playoff committee with an eyebrow raising rout? ... Will J.T. Shrout be CU’s quarterback the remainder of the season, or will Owen McCown be allowed back onto the field when he’s able? ... Is the Buffs4Life Collective a breath of fresh air in an otherwise suffocating fall for the Buff Nation, or is this going to prove to be yet another example of Colorado - and its fan base - failing to compete in the new age of college football? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E39 · Tue, October 25, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Arizona State / CU's Last Best Chance at Victory in 2022?
Send us a text Rain was in the forecast last weekend when CU took the field against Oregon State, but, like the rain, the Buff offense failed to materialize in a 42-9 whitewashing by the Beavers. Stuart Whitehair is joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and they start with a recap of the lopsided loss in Corvallis, including a discussion on who should be the CU starting quarterback the remainder of the season. Interim head coach Mike Sanford previously stated that Owen McCown was his quarterback, and would be the starter when he returned from injury ... but has J.T. Shrout earned the right for a home start? Or, from a more practical standpoint, would it be better to sit McCown, both to preserve his redshirt year, and to protect his slight body from the impacts he will take against Arizona State and the formidable defenses CU will play in November? We will then present our “T.I.P.S.” for the Arizona State game. The Sun Devils are 2-5 on the season, fresh off of a disappointing 15-14 loss on the road against Stanford. So ... Can the Buff offense finally get past the 20-point mark, facing a ASU defense which is ranked 98th in the country in total yards allowed? ... Can the CU defense finally make a statement, playing against an Arizona State offense ranked 99th nationally? ... Can the Buffs get enough healthy running backs on the field, so they are not handing the ball off to a converted freshman walk-on defensive back - like they did against Oregon State? ... Can the Buffs find a way on Homecoming to post victory No. 2, playing a game which might represent the last best chance at a win this season? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E38 · Tue, October 18, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Oregon State / Can the Buffs build on the momentum of the overtime win over Cal?
Send us a text Well, it was a great day to be a Buff last Saturday, with Colorado picking up win No. 1 on the 2022 season with a 20-13 overtime win over Cal. I am joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will start with a recap of the Buffs’ big victory, including thoughts on what interim head coach Mike Sanford, who has rejuvenated the CU locker room, would have to do to earn an interview for the full time position as CU’s head coach. We will then present our “T.I.P.S.” for the Oregon State game. Oregon State is 5-2 on the season, and the Beavers are coming off of a high of their own - their first win over Washington State since 2013. So ... What is it about Oregon State, a team which is not great at anything, but good at everything? ... How will the forecast for a wet Saturday night in Corvallis play into the strategies for the game? ... Can the CU offense, not noted for its red zone prowess, get into the end zone against one of the top red zone defenses in the country? ... And the real question: Was the CU victory over Cal a “one-and-done” for the 2022 Buffs, or will the momentum carry the Buffs to more wins in the second half of the season? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E37 · Tue, October 11, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. California / Can the Buffs Benefit from the "Interim Coach Bump"?
Send us a text With the bye week behind us, it’s time to resume our regular review/preview episodes. Neil Langland gets the week off, so Stuart Whitehair is joined for this podcast by Brad Geiger. To start, there is a quick recap of the 40-23 loss to Arizona, before moving on to our “T.I.P.S.” for the CU game against the Cal Bears. Cal is 3-2 on the season, and is coming off of a 28-9 loss to Washington State. The Bears have been inconsistent this fall, with a dominating performance on offense against Arizona before falling flat against the Cougars. So ... Can the Buffs rally, and post a victory against arguably the easiest opponent left on the schedule? ... Will Colorado - and its weary fan base - get a “Interim Coach Bump” like other Power Five schools who have fired their coaches so far this fall (a surprising 6-3 overall record, including two wins over ranked teams)? ... Will the Buffs show improvement - or at least some creativity - on both sides of the ball, coming into the game with the 129th ranked scoring offense, and the 130th ranked scoring defense, or will the Buff Nation be left searching for moral victories for the rest of the season? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E36 · Tue, October 04, 2022
Special Episode - The Firing of Head Coach Karl Dorrell & What's Next for the CU Football Program
Send us a text Well, so much for the bye week ... Welcome to a special edition of the podcast. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will discuss the dismissal of Karl Dorrell as the head coach at the University of Colorado, as well as the future of the program. We start by taking a look back at the Karl Dorrell era. Dorrell had an 8-15 record at CU (6-9 in Pac-12 play), earning Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors in 2020. Yet, after a 4-0 start in Boulder, things went south in a hurry, with the start of the 2022 season setting records ... historically bad records. We then move on to the press conference conducted by CU athletic director Rick George , Chancellor Phil DiStefano , and interim head coach Mike Sanford . So eyebrow raising - and discouraging - were the comments from George and DiStefano that Sanford and the remainder of the 2022 season quickly became afterthoughts. So ... Is Rick George really going to go forward with his next hire without any outside consultation? ... Is Phil DiStefano so out of touch with regard to present day recruiting and transfer needs that the next head coach is doomed to failure even before he is hired? ... How important will the debate over Progress Toward Degree (PTD) become in the next two months? ... Should the next head coach at Colorado have head coaching experience - or is a hot young coordinator the way to go? ... Should previous connections to CU be a prerequisite for the job - or a disqualifying characteristic? ... Which names on the compiled lists of potential candidates jump out as the most enticing? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E35 · Tue, September 27, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Arizona / Plus - Owen McCown: Savior, or Hail Mary by CU Coaching Staff?
Send us a text Welcome to our weekly review/preview episode. I am joined for this episode by Neil Langland, as Brad Geiger is currently hanging out on a beach in Hawai’i, trying his best not to check the internet for yet another negative story about CU. On our own, Neil and I will work out way through the 45-17 loss to UCLA, and discuss the debut of freshman quarterback Owen McCown. We will then discuss the status of head coach Karl Dorrell . Are Dorrell’s days at CU numbered, or will the CU administration ride out the rest of the season with Dorrell as head coach? Not neglecting our duties, we also will go through our “T.I.P.S.” progression for the CU/Arizona game, reviewing the Talent for both teams, what Intangibles may be in play, how Preparation will play a role, and then look at which Statistics will factor into deciding the winner. So ... Do the Buffs - as 17.5-point underdogs - have a chance against a team which went 1-11 last year, including a 34-0 loss to Colorado? ... Have the Buffs found an answer at quarterback with Owen McCown - or will the Arizona defense expose him as an inexperienced freshman making his second career start? ... Can the Buff offense finally find a second gear, going up against a defense ranked 108th in the nation? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E34 · Tue, September 20, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. UCLA / Plus: ASU Parts Ways With Herm Edwards: Will Karl Dorrell Be Next?
Send us a text Welcome to our weekly review/preview episode. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will start with a quick, yet somehow still painful, review of CU’s 49-7 road loss against Minnesota. The Buffs were behind 35-0 at the half, and only scored their first touchdown in two games against the Golden Gophers after Minnesota had run up the score to 49-0. We will then discuss the far more interesting news of the weekend, that being the firing of Herm Edwards by Arizona State. The timing of the move, coming early in the season and with an NCAA investigation still looming, is curious. We will talk about the repercussions of the terminations of Herm Edwards and Scott Frost, before turning our attention to how long the Karl Dorrell era will last at Colorado. Athletic Director Rick George issued a statement Sunday, and we’ll sift through the language of that statement, and talk about how much longer CU can tolerate having what has become the worst team in Power Five conference football. Not neglecting our duties, we also will go through our “T.I.P.S.” progression for the CU/UCLA game, reviewing the Talent for both teams, what Intangibles may be in play, how Preparation will play a role, and then look at which Statistics will factor in in deciding the winner. So ... Do the Buffs have a chance at keeping Bruin quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson - who has almost 1,200 career yards of total offense in four games against the Buffs - in check? ... Is it no longer about victories for the Buffs, but keeping it respectable? ... Will Karl Dorrell make it out of September with his title of head football coach at Colorado in tact? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E33 · Tue, September 13, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Minnesota / CU/AFA Recap / Plus: The End of the Scott Frost Era at Nebraska
Send us a text Welcome to our second review/preview of the 2022 season. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will start with a post-mortem of CU’s 41-10 loss to Air Force. The Buffs had their chances against the Falcons, but blown opportunities late in the first half and early in the second half doomed the Buffs to a second straight defeat. We will then turn our attention to CU’s upcoming game against Minnesota. Going through our “T.I.P.S.” progression, we will look at the Talent for both teams, what Intangibles may be in play, how Preparation will play a role, and then look at which Statistics will factor in in deciding the winner. After that - just for fun - we will take a look at the biggest news item of the second week of the season, the firing by Nebraska of their head coach, Scott Frost. So ... Can the Buffs overcome the plethora of mistakes they made in the rain in Colorado Springs, and put forth a competitive effort against the Golden Gophers? ... Will CU offensive coordinator Mike Sanford, formerly Minnesota offensive coordinator, have a triumphant return to Minneapolis - or will the Golden Gophers have the last laugh? ... And will our speculation about candidates for the new head coach at Nebraska soon be turning to speculation as to candidates for the new head coach at Colorado? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E32 · Tue, September 06, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Air Force / Post-Mortem on CU's 38-13 loss to TCU
Send us a text Welcome to our first review/preview podcast of the 2022 season. I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we will start with a post-mortem of CU’s 38-13 loss to TCU in the opener. The translation from the Latin of post-mortem is literally “after death”, and that’s what it felt like in Folsom Field, as the Horned Frogs turned a 7-6 halftime advantage into a 38-13 rout. We will then turn our attention to CU’s upcoming game against Air Force. Going through our “T.I.P.S.” progression, we will look at the Talent for both teams, what Intangibles may be in play, how Preparation - especially for the Falcons’ option offense - will play a role, and then look at which Statistics will factor in in deciding the winner. So ... Who will be CU’s starting quarterback against Air Force? ... Has Karl Dorrell, based upon player comments after the TCU game, already lost the locker room? ... Can a Buff defense, which was gashed by TCU’s rushing attack, find a way to stop the nation’s leading rushing offense? ... Can the Buff offense find a way to match the Falcons score for score? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E31 · Tue, August 30, 2022
Interview: CU Wide Receiver R.J. Sneed II
Send us a text Welcome to a special bonus podcast from our NIL Interview series. This spring, thanks to a GoFundMe campaign which raised $10,000 in three days, we were able to offer 20 CU student-athletes $500 for an interview through the CU NIL INFLCR portal. The series concluded this June, but, this past week, I was contacted by graduate transfer wide receiver R.J. Sneed II , who asked if I was still interested in an interview. Of course, the answer was “Yes”, and we talked this past Saturday, six days before the season opener against TCU. So ... What was it like, being a highly-sought after recruit from a 6A high school in the Houston area? ... What led RJ to choose Baylor over other suitors (including CU)? ... What was it like to be a part of two Baylor teams which earned Big 12 championship game berths, as well as two Sugar Bowl opportunities? ... What was it that led RJ to make the decision to leave a conference champion, and a top ten national program, for Colorado - and the Buffs’ struggling offense? ... What has the adjustment been like, joining a new team with new coaches? ... And what does RJ Sneed see for the Buffs - and himself - over the course of the 2022 season? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E30 · Sun, August 28, 2022
"T.I.P.S." for Colorado v. TCU: Can the Buffs overcome the Horned Frogs (and national expectations)?"
Send us a text Welcome to the 2022 Colorado football season. This is our first preview of the fall, our first “T.I.P.S.” episode for the year. If you are new to our previews, we will be taking a look at the CU/TCU matchup through the lens of: T - Talent (best players and matchups); I - Intangibles (injuries, weather, other outside forces affecting the game); P - Preparation (short weeks; bye weeks; rivalry games upcoming); and S - Statistics (stats to make you smile, and stats to make you cringe). Join us as we break down the matchup between the Buffs and the Horned Frogs. Las Vegas has Colorado as an 11-point home underdog, but the CU coaches and players have expressed confidence that the 2022 campaign will produce victories and a bowl invitation. Are they right? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E29 · Sun, August 14, 2022
In Search of Six - Game-By-Game Predictions for the Buffs' 2022 Quest for Six Wins and a Bowl Bid
Send us a text Welcome to a special hour-long edition of the CU at the Game podcast. Brad Geiger and Neil Langland join Stuart Whitehair to give you our game-by-game predictions for the Buffs and the 2022 season. We didn’t compare notes beforehand, so you’ll learn along with Stuart what Brad and Neil have to say about the Buffs’ chances against TCU in the season opener, all the way through to the regular season finale at home against Utah. So ... Can CU, a ten-point underdog to TCU, open the season with an upset? ... Will the Buffs benefit from a tough non-conference slate, or will early losses sap the enthusiasm of a young team? ... Will Herm Edwards still be the Arizona State coach by the time the Sun Devils get to Boulder in late October? ... Will the Buff Nation be frustrated once again with a November with a five-win team not able to get over the hump and earn a sixth-win and a bowl bid? And how many of you will get the seemingly obscure references to a 40-year old movie? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E28 · Sun, July 31, 2022
Pac-12 Media Day Recap / Realignment (Speculation) Updates / Fall Camp Unit-by-Unit Preview
Send us a text Stuart Whitehair, Brad Geiger and Neil Langland are back, and we are gearing up for the 2022 season. The Pac-12 Media Day is in the books, and Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff didn’t mince words when it came to the Big 12 and possible additional poaching of Pac-12 schools. Kliavkoff said, “Let’s be very clear. No Pac-12 school is joining the Big 12". Which, of course, is true until it isn’t true. We’ll break down the current options for the remaining Pac-12 schools, as well as what options Colorado has going forward. We then turn our attention back to the Buffs and the opening of Fall Camp. Karl Dorrell , as you might have expected, downplayed the media’s projections of a last place finish for the Buffs, saying, “We know what’s there and there’s a lot of people who don’t know”. We take a unit-by-unit look at what’s expected from your Buffs out of Fall Camp, including the crucial decision of naming a starting quarterback. Will the Buffs be better than the experts project? Are there All-Pac-12 players in the CU locker room which the pundits missed? Will there be any news of note coming out of the Champions Center during Fall Camp, or will Buff fans be kept in the dark until TCU comes to Folsom Field on September 2nd? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E27 · Sun, July 17, 2022
Pac-12 Preseason Preview With an Outlook for Each Team / Any Preseason Love for CU?
Send us a text While the Buff Nation may not know right now what conference CU will be playing in come 2024, they do know the Buffs will be playing a Pac-12 conference schedule in 2022. In this episode, I am joined by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland as we break down the Pac-12, before turning our attention to how the preseason magazines are treating Colorado. The Transfer Portal, together with new coaches at the conference’s top programs, has created new uncertainties as to how the 2022 season will unfold: - Will the addition of former Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley, together with a herd of transfers, be enough to take USC from a 4-8 team to a playoff contender? Or will Utah defend its title?; - Has Arizona State turned the corner under head coach Herm Edwards, or is the program a “dumpster fire” ready to implode?; - Why all the love for Arizona, a program which has lost 23 of its last 24 games?; - Is Oregon the runaway choice in the North? And do the Ducks have a chance of taking down Georgia in the season opener?; - What has become of the Bay area schools? You think Justin Wilcox is regretting turning down the Oregon job? Have the Transfer Portal and a refusal to participate in the new world of NIL rendered Stanford a program condemned to future mediocrity?; and - Was there any positive press for Colorado in the preseason magazines? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E26 · Sun, July 03, 2022
Is CU "Not In Line" When It Comes To Using NIL To Its Advantage?
Send us a text With this episode, Brad Geiger and Neil Langland return to the podcast. We will be getting to our Pac-12 preview and our Fall Camp analysis in short order, but we wanted to do a free flowing episode on the status of Name, Image and Likeness at the University of Colorado. Athletic director Rick George recently met with the CU Board of Regents, and some of his quotes are disconcerting to some members of the Buff Nation. “One thing that we’re not going to do”, George said, “Is we’re not going to induce student-athletes to attend here, we’re not going to tamper with student-athletes and we’re not going to have boosters involved in the recruiting process and other areas” ... even while other schools are having no problems with any of the above. Can CU wait for the NCAA to enforce its rules? ... Is it possible for Colorado to stick to its principles - and still be competitive? ... What are the odds that this is the beginning of the move in college football to a semi-pro league of the 24-36 teams which are willing to pay to compete? ... Are college football programs left in a position of “adapt or die” - with CU being left behind? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E25 · Sun, June 19, 2022
Interview: CU Tight End Caleb Fauria
Send us a text Welcome back to our NIL Interview series. This is the last of our 20 interviews this spring. Back in February, with little seemingly going on in the world of Name, Image and Likeness - at least as far as CU was concerned - I posted a GoFundMe campaign to offer 20 CU student-athletes $500 each for a half-hour interview. The Buff Nation responded, raising $10,000 in three days. As a result, it has been my pleasure and honor to conduct 20 interviews, allowing us a chance to get to know some of CU’s student-athletes a little better. In this episode, we are introduced to red-shirt freshman tight end, Caleb Fauria . Caleb is a CU legacy, with his father, Christian Fauria, a CU legend. Christian was a Buff from 1991-94, finishing with the third-most receiving yards by a tight end in Buff history. Caleb, however, was a big time recruit in his own right, with scholarship offers from at least one school in each of the Power Five conferences. Caleb, though, became a Buff for Life three days after his official visit to Boulder in the summer of 2019. Fauria was injured during the 2020 season, and saw limited action last fall. This season, there is only one upperclassman at the tight end position - senior Brady Russell - left on the roster. Fauria, who still has four years of eligibility remaining, will be one of four red-shirt freshmen tight ends looking to make a name for himself during the 2022 campaign. So ... Was there any pressure on Caleb to commit to Colorado, with his parents both being CU graduates? ... What does Fauria think of his new position coach - and new passing game coordinator - Clay Patterson? ... What play during the 2021 season earned Caleb a notation in the final season stats sheet? ... And what does Caleb think of the play his father made in the 1991 Oklahoma State game, with dad catching a 20-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal in the final minute to defeat the Cowboys, 16-12? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E24 · Sun, June 12, 2022
Interview: CU Wide Receiver Daniel Arias
Send us a text Welcome back to our NIL Interview series. In this episode, we are introduced to senior wide receiver, Daniel Arias . While Arias, like many of his upperclass teammates, has gone through three coaching changes while at Colorado, his compelling story starts long before he became a Buff. Arias was born in the Dominican Republic, and there were times when there was no electricity or running water in the house. Daniel’s mother moved to Washington state, bringing Daniel and his siblings to the United States when he was only six. Overcoming a lisp and a language barrier, Arias became an excellent student, with his speed bringing about his introduction to the game of football, and, ultimately, the University of Colorado. Setting a school single season record for forced fair catches as a freshman, Arias will likely become CU’s all-time leader in that category this fall. Now a starter at wide receiver, Arias has a goal of 1,500 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns in 2022. So ... How was Daniel’s first career touchdown, a 37-yarder against Washington his freshman season, quite literally “a dream come true”? ... Who is Reggie Moore, and what impact did coach Moore have on Daniel’s development at CU? ... And what is it about the current coaching staff that makes Arias say that “It’s fun to play football now”?... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E23 · Sun, June 05, 2022
Interview: CU Placekicker Cole Becker
Send us a text Welcome back to our NIL Interview series. In this episode, we are introduced to sophomore placekicker, Cole Becker , Becker, from California, was one of the top rated kickers from the Recruiting Class of 2021, and originally was an Iowa State commit before joining CU’s Recruiting Class just before Signing Day. Earning a starting position as a true freshman last fall, Becker missed his first three field goal attempts of the 2021 season - and was almost benched in favor of Evan Price - before rallying to connect on 14-of-17 kicks the remainder of the year. Along the way, Becker was good on three kicks of over 50 yards, the most 50-yarders in a season since the great Mason Crosby turned the trick back in 2005. Becker also became just the third freshman kicker in CU history to lead the team in scoring. So ... What did it feel like to be recruited as one of the top kickers in the nation, and what went into his decision to turn down Iowa State in favor of Colorado? ... What was the pressure like trotting onto the field in Tempe to kick a 51-yard field goal against Arizona State just before halftime, knowing his job as starter may have been on the line? ... What was it like kicking the school freshman record - a 56-yarder against Utah? ... And why does Becker believe that there was more pressure on his extra point in the first overtime against Oregon State, than there was in the 43-yard game-winner in the second overtime? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E22 · Sun, May 29, 2022
Interview: CU Cornerback Nikko Reed
Send us a text Welcome back to our NIL Interview series. In this episode, we are introduced to sophomore cornerback, Nikko Reed . Reed, from California, was all-league as a wide receiver, defensive back, and special teams performer in high school. He was recruited by several schools at receiver, but chose Power Five conference Colorado, which saw his future as a cornerback. In addition to talking about his recruitment, Reed talks about how, even as a true freshman with a talented roster in front of him, that he was told that if he was good enough, he would get a chance to play. Reed wound up playing in all 12 games of the 2021 season, but got his chance to make a name for himself at the end of the season, with a fourth quarter interception to help preserve the win over Washington, and a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Utah. So ... What did it feel like to hear the cheers of 50,000 Buff fans with his game-saving end zone interception against Washington? ... What did he see in game film which gave him confidence he could return a kickoff for a touchdown against Utah? ... What was it like to lose his position coach - and then three starters in the defensive backfield - over the span of just over a month this past off-season? ... What does he appreciate about his new position coach, Rod Chance, who “tells us the truth”? ... And what CU school record did Reed set in the 2021 season finale that he wasn’t aware of until we talked? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E21 · Sun, May 22, 2022
Interview: CU Outside Linebacker Devin Grant
Send us a text Welcome back to our NIL Interview series. In this episode, we are introduced to outside linebacker, Devin Grant. Grant, who will play as a redshirt freshman this year despite being on the field in both 2020 and 2021, introduced himself to the Buff Nation late last season. Thrust into the starting lineup for the final two games due to injuries, Grant had eight tackles in the season finale against Utah, a taste of what CU fans can expect from Grant for the 2022 season and beyond. Grant talks about his recruitment, and the “fake love” he got from schools other than Colorado. Grant breaks down how his role as an outside linebacker has changed as CU transitions from a 3-4 to a 4-3, and what it’s like to have his new position coach (Chris Wilson) also be the defensive coordinator. Finally, Grant talks candidly and openly about the players who left Boulder through the Transfer Portal, NIL opportunities (or the lack thereof) for CU student-athletes, and the mood of the locker room as the preseason magazines roll out, predicting another losing season for Colorado. So ... What’s it like to be an outside linebacker in the film room, with Grant breaking down his off-season preparation into three stages? ... What makes Grant believe that the leadership is there in the CU locker room to overcome past adversities, and that the 2022 team is “tired of losing”? ... And which personal goal has Grant set for himself, one which, if achieved, will all but guarantee All-Pac-12 status? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E20 · Sun, May 15, 2022
Interview: CU Defensive Lineman Jalen Sami
Send us a text Welcome back to our NIL Interview series. In this episode, we are introduced to CU’s starting defensive lineman, Jalen Sami . A lightly-recruited player out of Colorado Springs, Sami was asked by the Mike MacIntyre coaching staff to gray-shirt, delaying his enrollment until the spring of 2018. Sami made a splash when he did take the field in his freshman season in 2019, recovering a fumble in his very first game, a rout of CSU in Denver. Later that season, Sami saved the day against Washington, making a play on - of all things - special teams. Now on his third head coach and sixth position coach, Sami still has two years of eligibility remaining. Sami already has 24 career starts under his belt, but believes he just had his best spring since he arrived in Boulder in 2018, and can’t wait, as he put it, “to shock the world”. So ... What was it like being 6'6", 320-pounds in high school, and being lightly recruited? ... What does Sami think of CU’s move from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense? ... Why does Sami think that, even though he’ll have a year of eligibility left for the 2023 season, he may be playing elsewhere next fall? ... And what was Sami’s motivation in playing against Washington in 2019 which may have helped him make the play which saved the day for the Buffs? .. ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E19 · Sun, May 08, 2022
Interview: CU Offensive Tackle Jake Wiley
Send us a text Welcome back to our CU at the Game NIL Interview series. In this episode, we are introduced to CU’s starting offensive left tackle, Jake Wiley. Though only a sophomore in terms of eligibility, Wiley has already been through a great deal in his time in Boulder. Recruited by Mike MacIntyre’s staff as a member of the CU Recruiting Class of 2019, Wiley was already on to his third head coach by the time he was able to take to the field for the first time in 2020. Wiley earned a spot in starting lineup during the 2021 season, but the campaign did not open well. Offensive line coach Mitch Rodrigue was let go mid-season, with quality control coach William Vlachos stepping in to coach the rest of the year. After the middle of last season, offensive line improved, and that upward trend has continued with the hiring of offensive line coach Kyle DeVan, giving Buff fans reason for optimism about the line in 2022. Jake talks about the revolving door of coaches he has been through, and what Coach DeVan brings to the table. He also discusses how, through the adversities of the 2021 season, the offensive line has grown closer, and is excited about leaving the past in the past, and making the Buff Nation proud this fall. So ... What was it like growing up in Colorado, wanting to be a Buff, only to see the coach that recruited you leave before you were ever able to set foot on campus? ... What does Jake think about Coach DeVan’s quote about him that “his approach this off-season has been freaking unbelievable ... You talk about a guy that loves the game, loves the work, loves the development side of it ... I’m really excited about him” ... And what are the odds that Jake will report as a tackle eligible this fall, and get his chance to score a touchdown in Folsom Field? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E18 · Sun, May 01, 2022
Interview: CU Running Back Deion Smith
Send us a text Welcome back to our NIL Interview series. In this episode, we are introduced to junior running back Deion Smith . A highly rated recruit out of Houston, with offers from the likes of Notre Dame, UCLA, Utah, Minnesota and TCU, it was position coach Darian Hagan , and the relationship Smith and Hagan developed, which brought Smith to Boulder. Healthy in consecutive seasons for the first time in years, Smith is ready to showcase his talents for the Buff Nation. Coming off of a 20-yard touchdown run in the CU Spring Showcase, Smith wants Buff fans to know that the running back room is ready to prove the critics wrong. So ... What was it like for Deion to post his first career touchdowns last fall? ... Just how vanilla was the CU offense in the Spring Game? (“You can count on one hand the number of plays we ran that day”) ... And what did Deion - when putting together his own NIL podcast project - learn from the likes of Rick George and Evan Battey about the future of NIL at the University of Colorado? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E17 · Sun, April 24, 2022
CU Spring Practices: A Review of the Spring Showcase & An Assessment of CU Spring Ball, 2022
Send us a text The University of Colorado conducted its 2022 Spring Showcase on April 23rd, concluding spring practices with a 65-play controlled scrimmage. Walk-ons - from running back Charlie Offerdahl to receiver Michael Harrison to safety Jordan Woolverton - made names for themselves, while the defense overall had the better of it on a sunny afternoon in Boulder. I am joined by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland as we go unit-by-unit to discuss the spring showcase, and then take a step back to review the 15-practice spring of 2022. Is the starting quarterback position Brendon Lewis’ to lose heading into Fall Camp? ... Can the offensive line make due with the present lineup, or should Buff fans be hoping for a quick fix from the Transfer Portal? ... Did the switch from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense turn the Buff defense line from a weakness into a strength? ... Is the defensive backfield filled with young talent - or just young players? And will fans be singing the praises of Charlie Offerdahl well into the fall, or will we have to wait until next spring to hear his name over once again the Folsom Field PA system? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E16 · Sun, April 17, 2022
Interview: CU Wide Receiver Jaylon Jackson
Send us a text Welcome back to our CU at the Game NIL Interview series. In this episode, we meet CU senior wide receiver Jaylon Jackson . A speedster out of a highly regarded high school program in Texas, Jackson learned some of life’s lessons early, missing almost all of his junior and senior years with torn ACL’s. Despite the setbacks, Jackson had offers from the Pac-12, the Big 12, and the SEC. So ... Who is Jaylon Jackson? How was he able to overcome not one, not two, not three, but four season-ending injuries in his career to be named not only an All-conference Special teams player by the Pac-12 coaches, but a captain by his teammates? ... What was it like being a part of a recruiting Class which included Laviska Shenault and KD Nixon, CU recruits Jackson played against in high school? ... And what can we take from Jackson’s quote that he wished he could have had two or three more years with the current coaching staff? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E15 · Sun, April 10, 2022
Interview: CU Guard Kindyll Wetta
Send us a text Welcome back to our CU at the Game NIL Interview series. To kickoff the second half of the campaign, we have a special guest. If you aren’t familiar with the name Kindyll Wetta, now is the time to get acquainted. Before this season, there were only three players on the CU women’s basketball team who had ever been named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Before this season, there had been only three Buffs who had ever been named to the first-team All-Pac-12 Defensive team ... and no player from any team in the Pac-12 has been named to both of those teams in the same year in over a decade. Welcome to Kindyll Wetta's 2021-22 season. Kindyll ranked second in the Pac-12 with 57 steals during the regular season, a total that ranked 11th among all freshmen in the nation. Wetta was also second on the team in assists with 2.9 per game. So ... Who is Kindyll? And what was it like growing up as a CU legacy, with her mother being member of the 1994-95 Buff team which went 30-3 and climbed as high as No. 2 in the nation? ... What was it like being a part of CU’s first NCAA women's tournament team since 2013? ... And, if asked to prioritize, which was her favorite non-conference effort ... The first double-digit scoring game of her CU career, with 12 points after going 6-for-6 in a win over Texas Southern? A nine-assist game in a win over Samford? Or ... A five steal game in a win over Wisconsin? ... ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E14 · Sun, April 03, 2022
CU Spring Practices, 2022: A Look at the Buff defense and special teams
Send us a text Brad Geiger and Neil Langland are back, joining Stuart Whitehair to present our second look at the CU Spring roster, this time focusing on the Buff defense and special teams. The Colorado defense in 2021 struggled statistically, in part due to a CU offense which had a hard time consistently putting together drives and staying on the field: The 2021 national rankings (out of 130 teams): – 96th in the nation in rushing defense (178.6 yds/game); – 90th in the nation in passing defense (242.3 yds/game); – 98th in the nation in total defense (420.9 yds/game); and – 73rd in the nation in scoring defense (26.7 pts/game). Now the Buffs do return no fewer than five - count ‘em, five - senior defensive linemen. In all there are seven upperclass defensive linemen back, including three starters. Will the experience on the line give CU some production, making it easier for the Buff linebackers to make up for the loss of Nate Landman and Carson Wells? ... Will the three new transfers - Chance Main, Isaac Hurtado and Jeremy Mack - have an instant impact? ... Is there enough young talent in the defensive backfield to make up for the loss of three starters, or will the CU coaching staff be looking to the Transfer Portal for help this summer? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E13 · Thu, March 31, 2022
Interview: CU Safety Isaiah Lewis
Send us a text If you want a likely bar bet winner, ask your fellow Buff fans who was the leading tackler for CU in the 2021 season. It wasn’t Nate Landman or Carson Wells, but safety Isaiah Lewis. Lewis has been through a great deal since committing to CU in the summer of 2016, including the change over of coaching staffs three times in his first four seasons. Lewis has remained a committed Buff throughout, and has molded himself into one of the best defensive backs in the Pac-12. He will need a premier defender this season, though, as the other three starters from last fall have all left the team. We’ll talk about what it means to be the last man standing in the defensive backfield, and what Buff fans can expect from the young, yet inexperienced, new starters. So ... What was it like to commit to a team, which at the time of his commitment, hadn’t had a winning season or bowl opportunity since he was in grade school? ... What does Lewis have to say about Year Two of CU’s strength and conditioning coach Shannon Turley and the first year of CU’s new cornerbacks’ coach, Rod Chance? ... And whose NFL jersey does Isaiah have in his apartment, as inspiration for him to get to the next level? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E12 · Sat, March 26, 2022
CU Spring Practices, 2022: A Look at the Buff offense
Send us a text Well ... They’re back ... After giving Brad Geiger and Neill Langland some time off while the CU at the Game NIL Podcast campaign got underway, they are now back to join Stuart Whitehair as they give you a look at the CU roster on the offensive side of the ball for spring practices, 2022. For the Buffs, the numbers last year on offense were abysmal: Rushing offense ... 126.2 yds/ game ... 98th nationally (out of 130 teams) Passing offense … 131.2 yds/game … 126th nationally Total offense … 257.4 yds/game … 129th nationally Scoring offense … 18.8 pts/game … 121st nationally There were some changes in the assistant coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball, with Mike Sanford in as the new offensive coordinator. Will these changes make a difference? Stuart, Brad, and Neil will take a unit-by-unit look at the roster, and hopefully answer some questions: ... Is the job of starting quarterback Brendon Lewis’ to lose? Or will JT Shrout and the underclassmen make it a two- or three-man race?; ... Can the running back and wide receiver corps overcome the defections from the roster? Is there enough talent left in those rooms to make some noise in the Pac-12 this fall?; and ... Are there enough talented bodies along the offensive line, objectively one of the worst in recent memory, or will Buff fans have to hope the CU coaching staff will be digging into the Transfer Portal later this spring in search of immediate help? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E11 · Sun, March 20, 2022
Interview: CU Tight End Brady Russell
Send us a text Since arriving on campus in 2017, Russell has risen through the ranks to be one of the most important - and most popular - Buffs on the team. A walk-on, Russell nonetheless distinguished himself even as a true freshman, earning the Offensive Scout team player of the Year his first season. He has been the recipient of the team’s Relentless Award, and was a team captain last fall. So ... What did an assistant coach at Wyoming tell Russell when he was being recruited that Brady continues to use as motivation to this day? ... What can we take away from Brady’s candid remarks about the players who left through the Transfer Portal, his opinions on the explosion of NIL opportunities at other schools, and on the current state of the CU locker room? ... How excited is Russell to be playing for a position coach in Clay Patterson, who also happens to be the new passing game coordinator? ... And what is the inside joke in the tight ends room about a pinkie high five? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E10 · Wed, March 09, 2022
Interview: CU Linebacker Robert Barnes
Send us a text We’re getting closer to the start of spring practices, which means that Brad Geiger and Neil Langland will be back with me soon, as we give you a unit-by-unit look at the CU spring roster. In the meantime, however, we continue with our CU at the Game NIL Campaign , with an interview with graduate transfer linebacker, Robert Barnes . Barnes was a four-star safety prospect out of Texas, with offers from across the nation. Texas wanted him, as did schools like Ohio State, USC, Alabama and Notre Dame, but Barnes chose Oklahoma. After four years and four Big 12 championships, Barnes transferred to Colorado with two years of eligibility remaining. Last season, Barnes played in eleven games, with a ten tackle effort against Washington, including an interception and a fumble recovery, giving Buff fans a taste of what Barnes wants to bring to Folsom Field this fall. So ... What did Barnes say to the team when he was asked by CU head coach Karl Dorrell to talk about the Transfer Portal? ... What did it feel like to lose eight games last fall in Boulder, after losing all of eight games in four years in Norman? ... And what does Robert get to hold over his father, now that he is a Buff instead of a Sooner? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E9 · Fri, March 04, 2022
Interview: CU Forward Evan Battey
Send us a text Welcome to a very special edition in our series of interviews with CU student-athletes. Joining me for this episode is senior forward Evan Battey. The emotional leader of Tad Boyle’s Buffs, Evan spoke with me just a few days removed from one of the most memorable games in CU history, a 79-63 win over No. 2 Arizona. We could have spent the entire interview on the Arizona game, but there is so much more to Evan’s story. He talks openly about his fight with the California athletic system, which didn’t allow him to play his senior year of high school. If that wasn’t enough, Evan lost another bout the following year, this time with the NCAA, which decreed he had to sit out a red-shirt year rather than play as a true freshman. Oh, and yes, Evan suffered a stroke during Christmas break of his freshman year. Any one of those events would have been enough to discourage any young man, but, instead of using those setbacks as an excuse, Evan used them as a motivation to become one of the most popular players in CU history. We’ll talk about Evan’s first standing ovation, coming as he stood alone to shoot a free throw at the end of the half of CU’s NIT victory over Norfolk State. Then there was the collision with Stanford’s Oscar de Silva in Evan’s sophomore year, and the emotional and touching way both teams handled the scary moments after de Silva’s injury. This season, with a young team to guide, Evan has been a leader both on and off the court. We talk about his leadership, the ups and downs of this season’s Pac-12 campaign, culminating in a Senior Day which Tad Boyle said could not have been scripted any better. So ... What was it like to be recruited by Tad Boyle, and be a part of a recruiting Class which included Tyler Bey, DeShawn Schwartz, and McKinley Wright? Why is it that Evan doesn’t feel completely comfortable with being called the “Mayor of Boulder?” ... And what was Evan’s response when Tad Boyle offered him a job with the team for next season? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E8 · Sat, February 26, 2022
Interview: CU Quarterback Brendon Lewis
Send us a text So, what's it like to be the starting quarterback for the University of Colorado? I am joined for this episode by sophomore quarterback Brendon Lewis. Lewis came to CU from Melissa, Texas, where he accounted for over 12,000 yards of total offense in high school. Enrolling early in January, 2020, Lewis was hit by the loss of his head coach one month into his collegiate career, with the sporting world shut down a month later. After a COVID season in which Lewis played in the Alamo Bowl, he was the starting quarterback for the 2021 season, throwing for over 1,500 yards, with ten touchdowns and only three interceptions. What was it about CU and Boulder which made it easier for Brendon to commit to Colorado in May of his junior year in high school? How does Brendon feel about competing this spring in a full quarterback room? What were his favorite two plays from the 2021 season? And ... Why should Brendon be lobbying for his hometown high school team to name its new stadium in his honor? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E7 · Wed, February 23, 2022
Interview: CU Defensive End Terrance Lang
Send us a text I am joined for this episode by senior defensive lineman Terrance Lang. Terrance is a sixth-year senior, which used to be an anomaly, but is not as unusual as it once was what with the COVID year of 2020 not counting against eligibility. Still, as a recruit from the CU Class of 2017 - coming in as the Buffs and Pac-12 Coach of the Year Mike MacIntyre were coming off of a 10-win season - Terrance has been through a great deal, including being coached by three different staffs in as many seasons between 2018 and 2020. A recognized leader, both by his peers and his coaches, Terrance lets us in on how the Buffs are doing coming off of a 4-8 year and a series of defections through the Transfer Portal. If you are like me, you won’t be able to help but cheer for No. 54 as he takes the field this fall. So ... Which two young defensive lineman does Terrance see as stepping up and having an impact this fall? What are his personal goals for the 2022 season? As a leader in the locker room, what is Terrance seeing from the current Buff team during conditioning drills this spring which gives him optimism for the 2022 season? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E6 · Sun, February 20, 2022
Interview: CU Track and Field Hurdler Reese Renz
Send us a text I am joined for this episode by CU hurdler Reese Renz. Reese is a sophomore on the CU track and field team, currently competing in the indoor track season, soon to become the outdoor track season. Reese came to CU from Bakersfield, California, and her recruiting story is one you won’t want to miss hearing about. We also talk about how she came to run track and field, what it was like moving to Boulder, and how she is doing in her second season running for the black-and-gold. This podcast is a slight departure from our normal areas of emphasis, but, over the course of the 20 interviews of the CU at the Game NIL Campaign, we’ll be taking a few roads less traveled, and I hope you will happily come along for the ride. So ... What is it like to be recruited for an Olympic sport, especially in a COVID year in which there were little or no athletic events in California? ... What is a day-in-the-life like for a CU track student athlete? ... And what connection do Reese and I share - one that goes back over four decades? ... Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E5 · Sun, February 13, 2022
Interview: CU Transfer Offensive Lineman Tommy Brown
Send us a text I am joined for this episode by CU offensive lineman Tommy Brown, a graduate transfer from Alabama. A four-star recruit from California high school power Mater Dei, Brown had offers from over half of the schools in the Pac-12, as well as a half-dozen SEC schools. After participating in three national championship games in the past four seasons - including a national title in 2020 - Brown graduated in 2021, and transferred to CU with two years of eligibility remaining. Brown talks with us about what it was like being a four-star recruit, his decision to commit to Alabama, what it was like to play for a program that went 50-5 over the past four seasons. What is it like transferring from a program favored in almost every game ... to a program which will be an underdog in almost every game? What went into Tommy’s decision to choose CU in the transfer portal over other suitors? And what does the Alabama weight room have that the CU weight room doesn’t have? Let's find out ... Support the show
S3 E4 · Fri, February 11, 2022
Interview: CU Guard KJ Simpson
Send us a text In this episode of the CU at the Game NIL Campaign interviews, I get the chance to talk with CU freshman guard KJ Simpson. A four-star recruit from one of Tad Boyle's highest-rated Recruiting Classes, Simpson - who is already leading the team in assists per game, despite playing only 20 minutes a contest - is seeing even more time on the court. We discuss what it is like to be a four-star recruit, and what it is like transitioning to playing at the Power Five level. KJ gives an engaging interview, and talking about his first year at CU, playing with the "Mayor of Boulder", Evan Battey, and his experiences with his new teammates. Why do I believe that, after listening to this interview, that KJ Simpson will become one of your favorite Buffs? Let's find out ... Support the show
S3 E3 · Sun, February 06, 2022
Interview: CU Wide Receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig
Send us a text Thanks to donations to the CU at the Game NIL Campaign, I will be doing a series of interviews with CU student-athletes. Up first, sophomore wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig. Lemonious-Craig had ten catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns during his freshman campaign, including a crucial touchdown catch late in the double-overtime win over Oregon State. With a number of losses to the wide receiver room due to transfers, more will be expected of Lemonious-Craig this fall. We discuss his recruitment, his introduction to his new position coach and new offensive coordinator, and his thoughts for the upcoming 2022 season. Will this be a breakout season for Montana Lemonious-Craig? Will the Buff offense be balanced enough to make that happen? Let's find out ... Support the show
S3 E2 · Fri, January 28, 2022
In Search of Silver Linings - CU's New Coaches, Players, and the "Buffs NIL Exchange"
Send us a text CU head coach Karl Dorrell has his coaching staff in place, with six new assistant coaches. Are there enough dynamic recruiters in place to make Colorado competitive in the market for recruits, or is it the Dorrell philosophy to bring in players which his experienced staff can develop into a team which can compete in the Pac-12? The Buff roster is also largely in place. There will be more additions - and more attrition - but the vast majority of the lineup for 2022 is set. Where are the deficiencies, and where will CU be looking this spring to add transfers to supplement the roster going forward? Finally, why has CU been behind the competition in the Transfer Portal and the advent of NIL opportunities? Should Buff fans be concerned that CU is seemingly late to the party, or should we be grateful that CU is now apparently at least now ready to be a part of the conversation? Let’s find out ... Support the show
S3 E1 · Fri, January 14, 2022
CU Assistant Coaching Carousel (Part II) / CU in the Age of NIL and the Transfer Portal: Can CU Catch Up?
Send us a text CU has upgraded its coaching staff for the 2022 season. Stuart, Brad, and Neil discuss the three latest additions: Defensive line coach Vic So'oto, cornerbacks coach Rod Chance, and tight ends coach/passing game coordinator Clay Patterson, and what the trio will bring to the coaches' room in 2022. We spend most of the podcast, however, discussing the current state of the CU roster, particularly with regard to the exodus of players from the Champions Center - including several starters - and the overall impact on the 2022 Buff lineup. Some attrition was expected - and actually necessary - but the loss of some of CU's better players has the Buff Nation questioning what the roster will ultimately look like for the 2022 season. We then take a deep dive into how other schools are approaching Name, Image and Likeness opportunities ... wondering when (or even if) CU and its fan base will follow suit. Will CU be able to field a competitive team this fall? Will CU come up with a plan to keep its best players from defecting? Will the Buff Nation open its collective wallet to make Boulder a destination for better players? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E29 · Thu, December 30, 2021
CU Assistant Coaching Carousel (Part I) / Favorite Moments of CU's 2021 Season
Send us a text CU has seen the departure of one of its top assistants (and recruiters) in Demetrice Martin, along with two of its top defensive backs. At the same time, CU has picked up new assistant coaches for the 2022 campaign. Stuart, Brad, and Neil discuss the comings and goings, and how these changes will affect the program going forward. Then, to finish the second season of the CU at the Game podcast on a high note, we will take a look back at our favorite plays, our favorite plays, and our favorite games of the 2021 campaign. There is no such thing as an off-season in college football, and the roster (and coaching staff) are in a constant state of flux. Are these changes a net positive for the program ... or a net negative? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E28 · Thu, December 16, 2021
Special Episode: CU Recruiting Class of 2022
Send us a text On December 15, 2021, a total of 19 recruits signed their Letters of Intent to attend the University of Colorado. The Class was ranked higher nationally than many of CU's most recent Classes, but also lacked some of the star power which the Buff Nation was hoping to see. Stuart, Brad and Neil take a look at the CU Class of 2022, first from a national and Pac-12 point of view. We then go through the new Class, position group by position group, to see where the Buffs have improved the roster ... and where improvement is still required. In the age of the Transfer Portal, no roster is settled until teams report for Fall Camp in August, but over 20% of CU's 85-man 2022 roster is now in the fold. Will this group lead the Buffs to sustained success ... or continued mediocrity? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E27 · Tue, November 30, 2021
CU in the post-Chiaverini era - Who will Dorrell hire? / Pac-12 adds three new head coaches, including OU's Lincoln Riley by USC - What do the hirings mean for the future of the Pac-12?
Send us a text The CU off-season got off to a busy start, with the (inevitable) firing of offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini. After reviewing the Buffs' final game of the 2021 season, a 28-13 loss to No. 16 Utah, Stuart, Brad and Neil will talk about the dismissal of Chiaverini, and discuss some of the candidates available to the Buffs ... as well as the financial restraints which may impede CU picking up a "splash" hire. While CU is looking for a new offensive coordinator, Pac-12 head coaching vacancies were filled by not one, not two, but three conference schools. The headliner, of course, was the hiring of Lincoln Riley by USC. The move by the former Oklahoma head coach caught everyone off guard, but, now that the dust has settled, what will Riley's hiring mean for the Pac-12 in general ... and for CU in particular? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E26 · Tue, November 23, 2021
"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 16 Utah / Buffs Find A Way: CU 20, Washington 17
Send us a text Colorado managed to win a game without going over 200 yards in total offense for the first time since 2004, defeating Washington, 20-17. It was a little smoke, a little mirrors, a little luck - and four Washington turnovers - which all contributed in bringing the victory for the Buffs on Senior Day. We'll take a look at the Buffs' second straight win over Washington, and what it means for the program and the seniors (with a path to a picture of Carson Wells after the game which is a must see for every CU fan). We will then turn our attention to the upcoming game against No. 16 Utah. The Utes are the Pac-12 division champions, and have their sights set on the first Pac-12 title for the program. Can the Buffs catch the Utes looking ahead to the title game, or is the 24-point spread actually too low for what might be a mismatch of gigantic proportions? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E25 · Tue, November 16, 2021
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Washington: A Win for the Seniors in the Home Finale? / Plus: What Went Wrong in Pasadena ... and Is It Correctible?
Send us a text Colorado played well against UCLA in the Rose Bowl ... for about 29 minutes. The Buffs built a 20-7 second quarter lead, a lead which could have been even wider if CU hadn't settled for field goals in the red zone. What happened next is a nightmare that Buffs and their fans are comparing to the meltdown against Oregon State in 2018, with the Bruins dominating the second half on their way to a 44-20 victory. Stuart, Brad and Neil will dissect what went wrong ... and what it means for the Buffs for their final two games of the season. We then turn our attention to CU's 2022 home finale, with the Buffs taking on Washington. The 4-6 Huskies have issues of the their own, not the least of which being the firing of head coach Jimmy Lake. Will the Huskies be motivated ... or disorganized? Can the Buffs take advantage of UW's porous rush defense? Will Nate Landman return to pump fresh life into CU's beleaguered defense? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E24 · Tue, November 09, 2021
"T.I.P.S." for CU at UCLA / Buffs Double-Overtime Thriller v. Oregon State: High-Water Mark for CU ... Or Just the Beginning?
Send us a text Hard to believe, but the Buffs put their fans through not one, but two, field goal attempts by Oregon State in the final minute of play in a 37-34 2OT thriller. The second Everett Hayes offering - a 60-yarder - was good, sending the game into overtime. With a history of losing such bizarre finales, the Buffs didn't flinch, scoring a touchdown in overtime, then watching as CU freshman kicker Cole Becker calmly hit a 43-yard game winner. Stuart, Brad, and Neil discuss the Buffs' upset victory over the Beavers, and what the win means (the most complete game of the season), as well as what the game could mean for the program in the weeks and years ahead. We then turn our attention to the UCLA game. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is 1-2 as the Bruin starting quarterback in games against Colorado, but the senior is certainly a threat to the Buff defense. UCLA has one of the bottom ten pass defenses in the nation, and is the bottom ten in allowing third down conversions. Can the CU offense score enough points to keep up with DTR and the Bruins? Let's find out .. Support the show
S2 E23 · Tue, November 02, 2021
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Oregon State / Oregon Recap: Have the Buffs found their offense?
Send us a text It wasn't surprising that Colorado lost to No. 7 Oregon by 23 points. What was surprising was that the Buff offense, which had been in reverse gear for most of the season, made some headway on the road against the Ducks. Aside from the controversial ending (should the Ducks have taken a knee in the final minute, instead of going for style points?), Stuart, Brad and Neil will discuss the positives and the negatives from the 52-29 final. The Oregon State Beavers present a unique challenge for the Buffs on Homecoming weekend. Oregon State comes to Boulder with the nation's No. 11 rushing attack (a problem if Butkus Award semi-finalist Nate Landman can't play), but also have the 114th-ranked pass defense. Can the Brendon Lewis to Brenden Rice (with the return of La'Vontae Shenault) out-score the Oregon State offense? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E22 · Tue, October 26, 2021
"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 7 Oregon / Post-Mortem on Cal Debacle / Mitch Rodrigue: Fall Guy or First Domino to Fall?
Send us a text Colorado was humbled and humiliated on the road against Cal, with the 26-7 final not telling the whole story. The Buffs managed all of 104 yards of total offense against the Bears. How historically bad is that total? Only three times in the past 50 years has the CU offense been that inept, and all three of those games were against Top Ten teams ... not against a 1-5 team whose only previous win coming over Sacramento State. Stuart, Brad and Neil do a quick post-mortem on the Cal game before moving on to the firing of CU offensive line coach Mitch Rodrigue. Will the firing make a bit of difference in CU's final five games? Is Rodrigue a scapegoat? Or merely just the first of numerous firings to come? Amidst the chaos in the CU locker room, the Buffs have the ominous task of trying to prepare for a road trip to face No. 7 Oregon. The Buffs are four-touchdown underdogs, and are given little chance of success. Is there any hope for CU against Oregon? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E21 · Tue, October 19, 2021
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Cal / A Rave Review? CU shuts out Arizona, 34-0
Send us a text Anyone want to complain about CU's first shutout of a conference opponent since 2005? (and the first shutout of any opponent since 2015?). Stuart, Brad and Neil take a look back at the Buffs' 34-0 win over hapless Arizona. It was only a 6-0 game in the third quarter before special teams and defensive touchdowns turned the tight game into a rout. Has quarterback Brendon Lewis turned the corner? Were the "subtle changes" made during the bye week enough to turn the Buffs into consistent winners in the second half of the 2021 season? We then turn our attention to the Buffs' road trip to face Cal. The Bears are 1-5 on the season, with their only victory over Sacramento State from the Big Sky Conference. And yet, Cal is a ten-point favorite to beat Colorado. Can the Buffs take their newly discovered formula for success on the road? Or will the big win over Arizona only prove to be an indictment of how far the Wildcats have fallen? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E20 · Tue, October 12, 2021
"T.I.P.S." for CU v Arizona / Will "Subtle Changes" be enough to save CU's season?
Send us a text It's come down to a "Battle of the Bad" as 1-4 Colorado hosts 0-5 Arizona. The Wildcats haven't won a game in two calendar years, but there is still plenty of room for anxiety for the Buff Nation. Stuart, Brad and Neil discuss the T-Talent, I-Intangibles, P-Preparation, and S-Stats for the Folsom Field battle for fifth place in the Pac-12 South Division. We also take a deep dive into the comments made by CU head coach Karl Dorrell about the Buffs' bye week adjustments. Despite losing the last three games by double digits, coach Dorrell said that there would be no adjustments to the play-calling duties, and that "We are moving forward with the subtle changes that we did make". Will "subtle changes" be enough to halt CU's four-game losing streak, and perhaps save some jobs? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E19 · Tue, September 28, 2021
CU's failed excursion into the desert against Arizona State / "T.I.P.S." for CU's chances at beating USC
Send us a text A month ago, when the season had yet to begin and the Buff Nation was still filled with optimism, a 35-13 loss to Arizona State would have been deemed wholly unacceptable. Now, in the wake of a deplorable effort against Minnesota, Stuart, Brad and Neil pick through the ashes of CU's failed attempt at an upset in Tempe, searching for flickers of hope. We then move on to take a look at where the Buffs fit into the jumbled Pac-12 South, before turning our attention to the home Pac-12 opener against USC. The Trojans, if anything, are in more disarray than are the Buffs. Their head coach is gone, their first-team All-Pac-12 quarterback is being booed, and the team is reeling from the first Coliseum loss to Oregon State since the Eisenhower administration. Can the Buffs get their act together long enough to continue the Trojans' woes, and post an historic victory of their own? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E18 · Tue, September 21, 2021
CU/Minnesota Post-Mortem / Decline of the Pac-12 South / "T.I.P.S." for CU at Arizona State
Send us a text Normally, a "post-mortem" is not taken at its literal definition of "after death", but the 30-0 loss by CU to Minnesota left Buff fans feeling like there had been a death in the family. It was an inept performance by the Colorado offense - one for the record books. Stuart, Brad and Neil dissect the loss to the Gophers before moving on to recount the Saturday night massacre which was the performance by other Pac-12 South teams in Week Three. Week Four, however, brings about the beginning of the conference season for most of the Pac-12, with Colorado opening up on the road against Arizona State. The second half of the podcast is our "T.I.P.S." for the battle in the desert against the Sun Devils. Can the Buffs rebound and defeat Herm Edwards and ASU for a third straight game? Let's find out ... Support the show
S2 E17 · Tue, September 14, 2021
CU's Close Call v. No. 5 Texas A&M / "T.I.P.S." For CU v. Minnesota / Clay Helton out at USC
Send us a text Colorado was less than three minutes from an upset of No. 5 Texas A&M, but fell short, falling 10-7 to the Aggies. Was it the failed fourth down sneak in the second quarter? Was it the play calling on offense? Or did the Buffs' defense, which played valiantly all afternoon, just come up one play short? Stuart, Brad and Neil take a look back and what might have been ... and how the loss could impact the remainder of CU's season. The second half of the review/preview episode is the "T.I.P.S." for the Buffs' game against Minnesota. Both teams have strong rushing attacks but weak passing games. Which offense will prove most effective in moving the ball? Which defense will force the opposition into their uncomfortable passing game? And, of course, the firing of Clay Helton as head coach at USC cannot go without mention. Why did the Trojans pull the trigger two weeks into the season? Who will USC athletic director Mike Bohn, who hired not one (Dan Hawkins), not two (Jon Embree), but three (Mike MacIntyre) coaches while the AD at CU, choose to lead the Trojans in 2022? Support the show
S2 E16 · Tue, September 07, 2021
CU handles UNC, 35-7 / "T.I.P.S." for the Mile High Showdown v. Texas A&M
Send us a text It wasn't always pretty, but CU took care of business against Northern Colorado in the 2021 season opener, defeating the Bears, 35-7. Stuart and Brad take a look at how the Buffs fared, from the missed opportunities on offense, to the strong - if at times undisciplined - effort of the defense, and whether a 28-point win over an FCS team had more positives ... or more causes for concern. Stuart and Brad then turn their attention to Texas A&M, which brings a Top Ten team into Mile High Stadium to face the Buffs. The "T.I.P.S." for the game will look at the Talent of the Aggies, the Intangibles for the game, Preparation or Scheduling concerns, and the Stats for the game which will be relevant to the outcome. This is the first Review/Preview of the 2021 season, with similar podcasts to be posted each Tuesday morning during the regular season. Support the show
S2 E15 · Sun, August 29, 2021
"T.I.P.S." For CU v. Northern Colorado / CU and "The Alliance" / Pac-12 Predictions
Send us a text The 2021 season is finally here! Stuart, Brad and Neil present the first "T.I.P.S." of the season, with a review of the Talent/Intangibles/Preparation/Stats for CU's opener against Northern Colorado. Is the McCaffrey connection in Greeley enough to give the Buffs a game? Is CU, in Year Two under Karl Dorrell, prepared to take on the unknowns of a team which hasn't played in almost two years? Before we get to the preview, however, there is a look at the newly formed Alliance between the Pac-12, Big Ten, and ACC, and the implications the new agreements-to-agree might have for the CU program, both short term and long term. We will also give our predictions for how the Pac-12 standings may shake out in the 2021 season. Support the show
S2 E14 · Fri, August 13, 2021
CU Fall Preview: Defense / Plus: CU's Future in the Brave New World of Realignment
Send us a text The 2021 season is right around the corner. With Fall Camp well underway, Stuart and Brad take a look at each unit of the defense. Can new defensive coordinator Chris Wilson improve the Buff defense, which was 76th in total defense, and 77th in scoring defense, in 2020? Can Wilson - also the defensive line coach - turn the line from a liability to a strength? Will Nate Landman be Nate Landman again (and will the Buffs need him to be?). Is it possible that CU is actually three-deep at both cornerback positions? Also, while realignment talk by conferences and schools has gone quiet, it doesn't stop us from speculating as to the best- and worst-cast scenarios for Colorado in the brave new world of conference realignment. Support the show
S2 E13 · Sun, August 01, 2021
CU Fall Preview: Offense / Plus: Texas/Oklahoma Defection and its Effect on CU and the Pac-12
Send us a text Fall Camp, 2021, and it's time to take a unit-by-unit look at the Colorado offense. Stuart and Brad are joined by special guest Neil Langland, who will help answer the questions CU faces this fall: Will it be J.T. Shrout or Brendon Lewis who will be the starting quarterback? (Or will we not know for sure until the Texas A&M game?). How will the carries for the talented CU backfield be sorted out? Will there be a breakout star at wide receiver? Will THIS be the year of the tight end at CU? And, at the end of the day, will the Buff offensive line come together and give CU a chance to dominate games this fall? We'll then take a look at the big story of the summer, the defections of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, and what this surprising move will mean to CU and the Pac-12. Support the show
S2 E12 · Sat, July 24, 2021
Interview with CU Associate AD Lance Carl - Fall Camp position battles and National Realignment, 2021
Send us a text CU Associate Athletic Director Lance Carl is a longtime friend to the CU at the Game website, and joins Stuart to discuss the CU roster as the Buffs prepare for Fall Camp. From his unique perspective as the Director of Player Development, Lance gives his insights as to some of the roster battles (his answer concerning the starting quarterback for the opener against UNC may surprise you), as well as to the strengths and weaknesses of the depth chart. Lance also discusses some of the national issues which affect the CU program, including the new era of Name, Image and Likeness income for student-athletes, as well as the blockbuster story of the day - the reported departure of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC (Lance gives his thoughts on what could be the choices for a "Pac-14", along with how Colorado will fit into the seemingly inevitable move to four 16-team super conferences). Support the show
S2 E11 · Sat, July 10, 2021
CU in the Brave New World of NIL: "NIL is only going to enhance our opportunities to become a better program"
Send us a text At 12:01 a.m. on July 1st, collegiate athletics changed forever. Without any legislation from Congress, and only the barest of guidelines from the NCAA, the Wild, Wild West of Name, Image and Likeness came into being. Stuart and Brad take a look at how three schools - Miami, Nebraska, and Oregon - have already jumped on the NIL bandwagon, and how these types of actions will affect national recruiting. We then take a look at what CU athletic director Rick George - a member of the working group which tried in vain to create national guidelines - had to say about CU's future in competing against other schools who are, shall we say, better prepared to to offer to adapt to this new landscape. George, who was CU's recruiting coordinator under Bill McCartney, said: "There’s the backdrop that we live in, the quality of our community, the safety that we have here, the great educational opportunities that we have at CU — there's a ton to sell that plays into Name, Image and Likeness. I feel really good about what we have in our briefcase.” Will it be enough ... ? Support the show
S2 E10 · Sat, June 26, 2021
CU and the College Football Playoffs / A Stroll Down Memory Lane: 62-36! ... Plus 2016 CU/Oregon
Send us a text A four-man working group made up of three commissioners and the Notre Dame AD worked for two years coming up with a 12-team playoff format proposal, a proposal which has garnered enough momentum in the past few weeks to be considered almost a done deal. Stuart and Brad take a look at the 12-team format - How it will work on the national level, and what it means to the Pac-12 and to CU. Stuart and Brad then take a look at how the playoff may have worked in year's past for the Buffs (a chance at not one, not two, but FIVE national championship runs!) before settling in to take a Stroll Down Memory Lane, looking back 20 years at CU/Nebraska (62-36 says it all!), and the memorable win over Oregon five years ago, setting in place CU's run to the Pac-12 South title. Support the show
S2 E9 · Wed, June 09, 2021
CU Quarterback Sam Noyer departs / A Stroll Down Memory Lane: CU/Nebraska 1986; 1991
Send us a text Just when you thought it was going to be a quiet month of sifting through preseason magazines, CU's second-team All-Pac-12 quarterback Sam Noyer announces he is leaving the Buffs. Stuart and Brad discuss the announcement, the timing, and what Noyer's departure means for the Buffs' now former quarterback, and what it means for the CU quarterbacks' room going forward. Stuart and Brad then take a stroll down memory lane, talking about two anniversary games involving the CU/Nebraska game. Stuart's all-time favorite CU game, the 20-10 victory over the Cornhuskers was 35 years ago, in 1986, while Brad recalls what it took to endure Folsom Field's version of the "Ice Bowl", the 19-19 tie against Nebraska in 1991. Support the show
S2 E8 · Fri, May 21, 2021
George Kliavkoff - What CU fans can expect from the new Pac-12 Commissioner
Send us a text It would be fair to say that George Kliavkoff was an unexpected hire by the Pac-12. In this episode, Stuart and Brad take a look at the resume of the now former MGM executive, what Kliavkoff had to say at his introductory press conference, and what the Pac-12 hierarchy - and the national pundits - had to say about the hire. Then, just for fun, we'll take a look at a story about Pac-12 expansion, both in terms of geography and the coming sooner-rather-than-later 16-team mega conferences, before finishing with an article claiming that USC is more powerful - and more important - than anything George Kliavkoff can do as the new Pac-12 commissioner. Support the show
S2 E7 · Sat, May 01, 2021
CU Spring Showcase - What We Learned
Send us a text The first Spring Game under Karl Dorrell was never destined to be a full spring game, but the CU 2021 Spring Showcase did give Buff fans a taste of where the program is heading into the 2021 season. Quarterbacks J.T. Shrout and Brendon Lewis made their cases for the top competition to Sam Noyer for the starting position, while several (of CU's many) tight ends gave Buff fans optimism that this will (finally) be the year tight ends are a part of the Buff offense. In addition, Stuart and Brad discuss the current state of the Pac-12's search for a new commissioner, and whether the future of the Pac-12 is dependent - at least in part - upon the expansion of the College Football Playoffs. Support the show
S2 E6 · Fri, April 16, 2021
Spring Mid-Terms - Spring Practices update and a dip into the CUATG Mailbag
Send us a text The Buffs have passed the midway point of Spring Practices, 2021. Stuart and Brad take a look at the notable quotes and stories from the first half of Karl Dorrell's first spring practices at CU, along with a discussion concerning the extension of the Rocky Mountain Showdown well into the 2030's, and answer some questions from the CU at the Game Mailbag ... Support the show
S2 E5 · Sat, March 27, 2021
CU Spring Practices Preview - The Defense
Send us a text The Buffs return either six or ten starters on defense (depending on whether you read Athlon ... or look at the actual roster). The defensive line is the shakiest unit on the team, but the linebackers and defensive backfield could be bolstered by transfers ... and, if Nate Landman can return this fall at full speed, this could be a stout defense. This will be the first set of spring practices for CU head coach Karl Dorrell and his staff, with Buff fans excited for continued improvement from the roster. Support the show
S2 E4 · Sun, March 14, 2021
CU Spring Practices Preview - The Offense
Send us a text It's been two years and two coaches since CU's last spring practices, and there will be questions aplenty when spring ball opens in late March: With Sam Noyer out (shoulder surgery) who will emerge as Noyer's primary challenger for the fall? Which running back will find a place in the lineup behind Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year Jarek Broussard? Who will step up to replace K.D. Nixon in the wide receiver room? What will be the right mix among the returning starters along the line? And will 2021 - at long last - be the year of the tight end at CU? Support the show
S2 E3 · Fri, February 19, 2021
Musical Chairs: CU's Coaching Room is Set, as is most of the 2021 Roster
Send us a text A year into the Karl Dorrell era and a month away from the start of 2021 spring practices, the CU coaches' room is complete, as is almost all of CU's fall roster. Stuart and Brad take a look at the coaching moves made by Coach Dorrell this off-season, then dip into the mailbag to discuss the Buffs' roster, and how the depth chart has - or has not - met off-season expectations. Support the show
S2 E2 · Fri, February 05, 2021
CU Recruiting Class of 2021 / Transfer Portal Scorecard
Send us a text The CU Recruiting Class of 2021 did not see any additions on Signing Day II on February 3rd, but that doesn't mean there wasn't news ... Stuart and Brad take a look at each of the 17 members of the CU Recruiting Class of 2021 signed in December, before taking a look at the handful of players CU fans expected to see signed - but are going elsewhere. We then move to the new recruiting battlefield, the Transfer Portal , with a look at the Buffs who have moved on to other schools, as well as the three highly rated recruits (to date) who have committed to coming to Boulder from other Power Five conference schools. Support the show
S2 E1 · Sun, January 17, 2021
Transfer Portal & Coaching Dismissals - CU's off-season off to a rousing start
Send us a text It seemed like it was going to be a quiet off-season for CU - at least in terms of the coaching ranks. Instead, a Buff lineup which has seen three head coaches in three seasons will now have a new defensive coordinator and a new strength and conditioning coach. Stuart and Brad will discuss head coach Karl Dorrell's bold moves, before moving on to discuss the Buffs who have entered the Transfer Portal, and its effect on the CU 2021 lineup. Support the show
S1 E23 · Sun, January 03, 2021
Alamo Bowl Post-Mortem; Putting the 2020 Season in Perspective
Send us a text The required post-mortem on CU's loss to No. 20 Texas in the Alamo Bowl isn't - believe it or not - as negative as you might think. Stuart and Brad take a look at some of the positives out of game (including lack of excuses from head coach Karl Dorrell for having only 46 scholarship players available - here's looking at you, Dan Mullen!), before moving to to a review of the 2020 season as a whole. With only the second winning season in 15 years, and only the second bowl appearance in the past 13 seasons ... there is plenty to be excited about as the Buffs turn their focus to the 2021 season! Support the show
S1 E22 · Wed, December 23, 2020
"T.I.P.S." for the Alamo Bowl - CU v Texas; Taking the Pac-12 to Task
Send us a text It's been a wild and unique 2020 season, so it should come as no surprise that the events leading up to Colorado being selected to face No. 20 Texas in the Alamo Bowl were equally bizarre. After taking a brief look at what turned out to be the Buffs' regular season finale against Utah, Stuart and Brad take on the Pac-12, commissioner Larry Scott, Washington and USC for the untenable situation which resulted in CU getting an unwanted bye week. We then turn our attention to the Alamo Bowl, with our "T.I.P.S." for the Buffs against the Longhorns. Support the show
S1 E21 · Tue, December 08, 2020
"T.I.P.S." for No. 21 CU v. Utah / Review of CU at Arizona
Send us a text The Buffs spotted Arizona a 13-0 lead early, but shut the Wildcats out for the final 43 minutes in posting a 24-13 win in Tucson. The win not only kept CU perfect with a 4-0 record, but earned the Buffs a No. 21 ranking in the AP poll (No. 22 in the USA Today/Coaches' poll). The Buffs will face two-time defending Pac-12 South champion Utah, with a chance to earn a spot in the Pac-12 title game (there is also the chance that the Buffs, even with a win over Utah, could become the first eligible Power Five team to go undefeated in conference play ... and still not earn a chance at a conference championship). First things first ... the Buffs need a win over the Utes to maintain their national ranking and a shot at a title. Colorado is only a three-point favorite at home - what will be the deciding factors for the game? Stuart and Brad will give you their "T.I.P.S." for Utah at No. 21 Colorado. Support the show
S1 E20 · Wed, December 02, 2020
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Arizona - A Review of CU's win over San Diego State
Send us a text The Buffs gained bowl eligibility for the first time in four years, downing San Diego State, 20-10, in Boulder. Linebacker Nate Landman secured both Pac-12 and National Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors for his 11 tackle, three-sack effort, as the Buff defense held the Aztecs to 157 yards of total offense. Stuart and Brad take a look back at CU's third straight victory, before turning their attention to CU's road trip to Arizona. The Buffs opened as 3.5-point favorites against the Wildcats, but, after going through their "T.I.P.S." for the game, that number may be a bit low ... see if you agree. Support the show
S1 E19 · Tue, November 24, 2020
"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 19 USC - A Review of CU's Victory over Stanford
Send us a text Colorado defeated Stanford, 35-32, to open the season 2-0. Now, the Buffs, after an unscheduled week off, get their chance to control their own destiny in the Pac-12 South with a game against No. 19 USC. If you haven't heard it before, you will soon ... CU is 0-14 all-time against USC. Stuart and Brad review the Buffs' win in Palo Alto, discuss last weekend's Pac-12 results, finishing with their preview and predictions for CU's nationally televised game against USC. Support the show
S1 E18 · Wed, November 11, 2020
"T.I.P.S." for CU at Stanford - A Review of CU's Win over UCLA
Send us a text The Buffs opened the Karl Dorrell era at Colorado with a 48-42 victory over UCLA. Unlikely heroes were found in quarterback Sam Noyer and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week Jarek Broussard, as the Buffs built a 35-7 second quarter lead before hanging on in the second half. Stuart and Brad discuss what we learned and who were the unsung heroes. They then move on to the preview of the CU game at Stanford, your "T.I.P.S." - Talent, Intangibles, Preparation, and Statistics - for CU's first road game of the 2020 season. Support the show
S1 E17 · Sun, November 01, 2020
"T.I.P.S." for CU v. UCLA - Plus: An Overview of the Pac-12 Division Races
Send us a text And they said it would never happen! No, I'm not talking about Sam Noyer being named CU's starting quarterback (though that was a surprise). Instead, I'm talking about CU getting to play football in 2020. The season opener against UCLA is set for Saturday, November 7th (5:00 p.m., MT, ESPN2). With this episode, Stuart and Brad preview the Pac-12 in general before taking a deep dive into the CU/UCLA matchup. Will the CU defense be able to handle the UCLA offense? Will the new Buff offense be able to exploit the weaknesses of the Bruin defense? There's only one way to find out ... Support the show
S1 E16 · Sun, October 25, 2020
On the Defensive - A unit-by-unit look at the defense as CU looks to Improve in 2020
Send us a text Colorado ranked 96th nationally in scoring defense in 2019; 104th in total defense. The Buffs have seven returning starters ... will the Buffs make substantial strides in Year Two under Tyson Summers? The Buffs return all three starters along the defensive line - will Mustafa Johnson make a name for himself? All-Pac-12 linebacker Nate Landman had double the number of tackles of any other Buff in 2019 - will he get more support this fall? The Buffs are very young (but talented) in the defensive backfield - who will emerge as this year's star? Support the show
S1 E15 · Sun, October 18, 2020
Let's Get Offensive - A Unit-by-Unit Preview of CU's 2020 Offense
Send us a text It's taken 11 months, but we are finally able to talk - really talk - about CU football! The Buffs are back on the practice field, and it's time to take some deep dives into the roster. With this episode, Stuart and Brad take a unit-by-unit look at the CU offense ... How will the Buffs utilize true freshman quarterback Brendon Lewis? Who will be picking up the slack in the receiver corps? Will Alex Fontenot and Jaren Mangham continue to develop at running back? What will the recrafted offensive line look like this fall? And, for the first time in forever ... will the Buffs use the tight end position as a weapon for the offense? Support the show
S1 E14 · Tue, October 06, 2020
CU's Revised Schedule 3.0: Buffs get a break ... but will the new staff have enough practice time to get the team ready to play?
Send us a text From 12-games to 10-games to seven-games, CU's 2020 schedule is finally in place. Stuart and Brad discuss how the newest schedule worked out for the Buffs (spoiler alert: As well as could be expected). We also talk about the practice restrictions placed upon CU by Boulder County and its effect on the Buffs' ability to prepare for the season. We then finish up talking about how the Pac-12, in ending up with a shortened schedule, may actually have a leg up on getting a Playoff berth (thank you, Big 12, for imploding so quickly this fall!). Support the show
S1 E13 · Mon, September 21, 2020
Pac-12's Season of Uncertainty - How we got here; Where we go from here
Send us a text On August 11th, the Big Ten announced it would not be playing a fall schedule, with "Little Brother" Pac-12 following suit immediately thereafter. On September 16th, the Big Ten announced it would play a fall schedule, with "Little Brother" Pac-12 ... left trying to figure things out. Stuart and Brad take a brief stroll through the events of the past month, take a look at the Pac-12's options, and how all of the above will impact Year One (Year Zero?) of the Karl Dorrell era at the University of Colorado. Support the show
S1 E12 · Sun, August 30, 2020
CU at the Game Mailbag - August, 2020
Send us a text This should be the start of "Game Week" for the 2020 opener against CSU. Since we don't get to discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of the Rams' defensive backfield, we've opened up the mailbag for questions. Stuart and Brad will take a look at the status of the CU Recruiting Class of 2021, discuss the relative merits of some of the spring schedule options which are being proposed, and talk about whether the Pac-12 acted too quickly in postponing the fall sports calendar. Support the show
S1 E11 · Tue, August 18, 2020
Where do we go from here? Chaos in collegiate athletics and its affect on CU football
Send us a text The Pac-12 and the Big Ten (at least for now) have decided to postpone football until January. Will the Big Ten change its mind? Will the ACC, SEC and Big 12 actually be able to field teams this fall? Stuart and Brad take a look at the national chaos, before bringing it all down to how the latest news will impact CU football, including recruiting and the development of the roster under Karl Dorrell and his staff. Support the show
S1 E10 · Wed, August 05, 2020
Reviewing CU's Revised Schedule / CU gets its Quarterback / #WeAreUnited
Send us a text It may only prove temporary, but the Pac-12 did get fans excited about the prospects of college football being played this fall with the release of its 10-game, conference-only schedule. Stuart and Brad take a look at how CU's revised schedule could play out, along with discussions of CU's Recruiting Class (Quarterback recruit finally in the fold!) and the possible impacts of the #WeAreUnited movement. Support the show
S1 E9 · Sat, July 25, 2020
CU at the Game Mailbag - July, 2020
Send us a text It is being reported that the Pac-12 will be playing a ten-game, conference-only schedule. Who will CU's 10th opponent be? What other changes to the schedule will be required? And ... from the Mailbag: Which other Power-Five conference schools should CU emulate, both on and off the field? Is it naive to believe CU can again be an elite team? Why has CU been unable to produce - for over two decades now - an NFL-quality quarterback? Support the show
S1 E8 · Sat, June 20, 2020
CU at the Game Mailbag - June, 2020
Send us a text In this month's Mailbag, Stuart and Brad review your questions: Is it time to push the panic button CU's 94th-ranked Recruiting Class? ... Should CU continue to take on twice as many Power-Five non-conference opponents as do its Pac-12 rivals? ... And, going back 30 years - What would the 1989 and 1990 seasons looked like if Sal Aunese hadn't been stricken with cancer? Would he - as Darian Hagan did as his replacement - have led the Buffs to back-to-back national championship games? (No right answer to the last question, but it does make for an interesting topic). Support the show
S1 E7 · Sat, May 30, 2020
Road Trip! No. 5 Colorado at No. 21 Washington - September 30, 1989
Send us a text In the second Road Trip segment, Stuart and Brad reminisce about their first trip to Husky Stadium in Seattle, coming during Colorado's run to an undefeated regular season in 1989. The Buffs traveled to Seattle as the No. 5 team in the nation, but were doing so with heavy hearts, having lost their quarterback and emotional leader, Sal Aunese, to cancer the week before. The Huskies, ranked 21st in the nation, were sympathetic to the Buffs' loss, but had their own plans about how the 1989 season should enfold. Brad and Stuart discuss the loss of Sal, CU's big win in the rain, and their memories of Seattle and Husky Stadium ... Support the show
S1 E6 · Sat, May 16, 2020
CU at the Game Mailbag - May, 2020
Send us a text In the sixth episode of the first season (and second mailbag), Stuart and Brad take on questions from CU at the Game readers. Included in this mailbag: A discussion of the options for playing football in 2020; concerns of CU's Recruiting Class of 2021 (in light of the record number of early commits nationwide); and Brad's take on Stuart's Top 40 CU Games of the Past 40 years. Support the show
S1 E5 · Fri, May 01, 2020
Road Trip! Midnight Yell Practice and all things Texas A&M
Send us a text If the 2020 schedule plays out, CU will be playing Texas A&M in College Station on September 19th. To get you ready for your road trip to Kyle Field, Stuart and Brad describe their trip to the CU/A&M game in 2008, including an encounter with Aggie fans at the world famous Dixie Chicken restaurant and participation in Midnight Yell Practice. Also ... the history behind other Aggie traditions, including the Aggie band, the 12th man, and Reveille. Support the show
S1 E4 · Wed, April 15, 2020
CU at the Game Mailbag - April, 2020
Send us a text Stuart and Brad open the CU at the Game Mailbag to field questions about the options for (and the likelihood of) a 2020 season, additions to (and subtractions from) the CU roster, and a "way-too-early" look at the Buffs' 2020 schedule, with a first best guess at CU's record in the first year under Karl Dorrell. Support the show
S1 E3 · Tue, April 07, 2020
Interview with Buffs4Life President Sean Tufts
Send us a text Stuart and Sean talk about the Buffs4Life Foundation, its good works, and its connection to the CU community. Also discussed - because we can - Sean's career as a Buff in the early 2000's, including his memories of the 62-36 game against Nebraska and the Big 12 title game against Texas. Sean also spent three years in the NFL before returning to Boulder, where he spent his fall weekends ... as a Ralphie Handler Support the show
S1 E2 · Mon, March 30, 2020
Interview with CU Athletic Director Rick George
Send us a text Stuart's interview with the Buffs' AD includes discussions on Rick George's appointment to the NCAA working group on Name, Image and Likeness and the College Football Selection committee. Also, how will CU be able to keep its coaches from being poached by schools with greater resources, and why does Rick introduce Stuart as "The Guy Who Wrote the Letter"? Support the show
S1 E1 · Tue, March 24, 2020
The First Days of the Karl Dorrell era at CU
Send us a text In this, the premier episode of the CU AT THE GAME Podcast, Stuart interviews long time friend and fellow Buffs superfan Brad Geiger. Stuart and Brad discuss the abrupt end of the Mel Tucker era at CU, the hiring of his replacement Karl Dorrell and much more. Support the show

CU At The Game Podcast

CU Mailbag: Coach Prime's Contract / Top Five Transfers / Top Five Returning Players

Transfer Portal Bingo: Filling out CU's 2025 Roster

Special Episode - Neill Woelk and the Coach Prime Era at CU

Special Episode - Neill Woelk: Remembering Coach Mac

2024 Season Review: "A Few of Our Favorite Things"

"T.I.P.S." for the Alamo Bowl: No. 20 CU v. No. 17 BYU / Plus: Travis Hunter's Magical Awards Week

Introducing CU's Recruiting Class of 2025

"T.I.P.S." for No. 23 Colorado v. Oklahoma State / Senior Day at Folsom

"T.I.P.S." for No. 16 CU at Kansas / CU 49, Utah 24 Review

"T.I.P.S." for No. 18 Colorado v. Utah / Texas Tech Review

"T.I.P.S." for No. 21 CU at Texas Tech / Winning the Bye Week

"T.I.P.S." Preview for Colorado v. Cincinnati / Review: CU's Romp over Arizona

"T.I.P.S." Preview for CU at Arizona / Review of CU v. No. 18 K-State

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Kansas State / Review of CU's Dominant Win over UCF

"T.I.P.S." for CU at Central Florida / Miracle Finish v. Baylor

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Baylor: A "White Out" Homecoming

"T.I.P.S." for CU at CSU - Buffs First Trip To Ft. Collins since 1996

"T.I.P.S." for CU at Nebraska - Buffs look fourth straight win over Cornhuskers

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. North Dakota State - Buffs' 2024 Season Opener

Crystal Ball: Game-by-Game Preview for CU's 2024 Season

Big 12 Preview: Team-by-Team Projections for the 2024 Season

Projecting CU's Starting Lineup: Defense and Special Teams

Projecting CU's Starting Lineup: Offense

CU Schedule Countdown - Ranking the Buffs' 2024 Opponents

June Mailbag: Identifying CU's Top Transfers / CU making do in the post-House world of college football

Pet Peeves Bracket Challenge

May Mailbag: CU v. The World

CU Spring Game Recap / Plus: Unit-by-Unit Spring Review

The In's and Out's Of CU Spring Football

Spring Flings: CU football and basketball programs make national news

CU Spring Practices Preview - What To Expect: Defense and Special Teams

CU Spring Practices Preview - What to Expect: Offense

In the Post-NCAA World, Will CU Have a Seat at the Big Boy Table?

CU's Big 12 Schedule Reveal: The Good; The Bad; and the "I Can't Wait"

Fixing Holes in the CU Roster: Which Units are not yet Ready for Prime Time?

CU at the Game Mailbag: Coaching Staff and Roster Moves as Coach Prime Begins Year Two in Boulder

Special Episode: CU Signing Day! An Impressive Record Haul ... Or a Somewhat Disappointing Day?

Year One of the Coach Prime Era: Hits and Misses / Moving On: Charting Changes in the CU Coaching Staff and Roster

"T.I.P.S." for Colorado at Utah - Buffs Look to Finish the 2023 Campaign on a High Note

"T.I.P.S." for CU at Washington State: Battling for Win No. 5 on a Friday Night

"T.I.P.S." for Colorado v. No. 23 Arizona / Can the Buffs bring home a win on Senior Day?

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. No. 16 Oregon State / Post-Mortem on CU at No. 23 UCLA

"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 23 UCLA / Mid-season Report Card for the 4-3 Buffs

"T.I.P.S." for Colorado v. Stanford / Review of CU's 27-24 win over Arizona State

"T.I.P.S." for CU at Arizona State / Taking Positives from the 48-41 loss to No. 8 USC

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. No. 8 USC - The White Out Breakfast in Boulder

"T.I.P.S." for No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon / Recapping CU's 43-35 win over CSU

"T.I.P.S." for the CU/CSU Rocky Mountain Showdown / Basking in the glow of the 36-14 win over Nebraska

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Nebraska / Plus: Savoring the Upset Win Over No. 17 TCU

"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 17 TCU - The Coach Prime Era at CU Makes It's Debut

Crystal Ball: Game-by-Game Predictions for CU's 2023 Season

Fall Camp Unit-by-Unit Preview: Defense / Plus: "Black Friday" and the Demise of the Pac-12

Special Episode: CU's Bold Move to Return to the Big 12, and How Colorado is Reshaping the Future of Two Power Five Conferences

CU Fall Camp Unit-by-Unit Preview: Offense

CU Potluck Podcast: You Can't Always Get What You Want

The "Yea" or "Nay" Episode: Just How Will CU's 2023 Season Play Out?

CU at the Crossroads: Media Revenue Contracts and Future Conference Membership at Stake

CU at the Game Mailbag: Entering the First Summer of the Coach Prime Era

Completing the CU Roster: Which holes need to be filled?

CU Spring Game Recap / Prime Cuts: Making Sense of CU's Drastic Roster Overhaul

CU Spring Game Preview: What We Expect to See; What We Would Like to See

Coach Prime's First 100 Days / Notes and Quotes from CU's Spring Practices

Spring Practices Primer: Names to Listen for; Questions Which Need to Be Answered

Special Episode: An Insider's Look at CU's Challenges in the Ever Evolving Landscape of NIL

CU at the Game Mailbag Episode: Coach Prime at the Super Bowl / Pac-12 Media Rights Debacle / Transfer Portal Numbers: Hype or Precursor to Success?

CU Recruiting Revival: Behind Coach Prime's Historic Recruiting Class of 2023

5* CB Recruit Cormani McClain Commits to CU! / Constructing CU's 2023 Starting Lineup / CU's Pac-12 Schedule: Opportunities? Or a Bataan Death March?

Prime Numbers: Where Will Future Additions (and Subtractions) Come From on CU's Roster? / Plus: Grading CU Assistant Coaching Hires

CU Signing Day: Reviewing Coach Prime's First Recruiting Class

Special Episode - The Hiring of Deion Sanders: CU in "Prime Time"

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. No. 14 Utah / Plus: ESPN Game Day Report; Transfer Policy "Discussions"

"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 15 Washington / Plus: Representing CU at ESPN Game Day!

"T.I.P.S." for CU at No. 8 USC / Plus: CU's Unexpected Bump In Recruiting Commitments

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. No. 8 Oregon / Should McCown Sit Out? / Plus: The Buffs4Life Collective - CU's First Baby Step Back to Respectability?

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. Arizona State / CU's Last Best Chance at Victory in 2022?

"T.I.P.S." for CU at Oregon State / Can the Buffs build on the momentum of the overtime win over Cal?

"T.I.P.S." for CU v. California / Can the Buffs Benefit from the "Interim Coach Bump"?

Special Episode - The Firing of Head Coach Karl Dorrell & What's Next for the CU Football Program

"T.I.P.S." for CU at Arizona / Plus - Owen McCown: Savior, or Hail Mary by CU Coaching Staff?