Colorado Buffaloes Football Predictions (Games 7-12)

1) Halloween on the road. I am really looking forward to this road trip. There are few schools which have more college football traditions than Texas A&M. Yell practice, the 12^th man, the bonfire, Reveille (the collie which just happens to be the highest ranking officer in the Corps at A&M) are all part of the Aggie experience.

Yell practice, held at midnight before a home game, will, against the Buffs, be conducted at midnight on Halloween. We’ll forgive the A&M players and fans if they want to have some fun at home on Halloween,  and not be as rested for the Buffs as they should.

2) The schedule. If you haven’t already guessed, I am a big believer in momentum. As much as we like to analyze the college game, it is still being played by a bunch of young men who have to worry about their girlfriends, their classes, and the color and style of their i-pods.

Yes, Colorado’s game against Texas A&M will be played in November, and each team will have already played eight games. For the Aggies, though, the two biggest games on the calendar—against Oklahoma and Texas—will still be ahead of them.

The Aggie players, most of whom have not played against Colorado, may well be looking past the Buffs to a game against (No. 1?) Oklahoma the following weekend.

3) The Aggies are a good fit for the Buffs’ personnel. As head coach Mike Sherman tries to mold the Aggies in his image, there is work to be done. There are holes in the A&M offensive line, so the rushing game will be vulnerable to a good rush defense (Buffs).

The receiving corps may be the weakest part of the offense, giving a break to a weak pass defense (Buffs). And the defensive line is vulnerable to a strong rushing attack (Buffs).

Why there is reason for Buff fans to lose sleep the night before the game:

1) Better record. Colorado may well have better personnel on the field against Texas A&M, but the Aggies, as the calendar turns to November, will likely have a better record coming into the game.

Texas A&M has a soft non-conference schedule: Arkansas State, at New Mexico, Miami, and Army. New Mexico is decent, and the game against the Hurricanes would normally instill fear, but Miami hasn’t been Miami for several years now.

In Big 12 play, the four conference games before Colorado are: at Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, and Iowa State. While there are no easy outs in the Big 12 this season, this schedule is hardly murderer’s row. Texas Tech will likely be the only ranked team the Aggies play all season before facing the Buffs.

2) 29-26. Colorado is 2-1 against Texas A&M in College Station, but the last snap the Buffs took on the Aggies’ home field turned out badly for CU. The 2004 CU/A&M game went into overtime tied at 26-all, and, after Texas A&M managed a field goal in their possession, the Buffs were primed to pull off the road win with a touchdown.

On third down, running back Bobby Purify ran for five yards, apparently picking up a first down for CU. The officials ruled, however, that Purify had fumbled, giving the ball and the game to the Aggies. It’s been four years since that play, but it remains the last play for CU at Kyle Field. Bad karma...

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