Colorado Buffaloes Football Predictions (Games 7-12)

My point? By Nov. 15, it will be apparent to all in Stillwater that 2008 will not be a breakthrough year, either. The Cowboys will be playing for a bowl record; not a championship.

2) Sandwich game. For Oklahoma State, the game against Colorado falls between games against rivals Texas Tech and Oklahoma. A week after trying to keep up with the spread offense of the Red Raiders, the Cowboys go on the road again to face the Buffs. Up next for Oklahoma State after CU? Oklahoma at home. Colorado catches a break here as the Buffs get Oklahoma State at home in between two emotional games for the Cowboys.

3) November in Boulder. Okay, So the weather is just as likely to be crappy in Stillwater in November as it is in Boulder, but the Cowboy players cannot be looking forward to the mid-November trip with much excitement.

Plus, the CU game will represent the end of a long road season for OSU. Oklahoma State’s Big 12 road schedule in 2008: at Missouri; at Texas; at Texas Tech; at Colorado. Tough to see light at the end of that tunnel.

If OSU can’t handle Washington State in Seattle in the season opener, the Cowboys may be winless on the road heading to Boulder.

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

1) Poor man’s Texas Tech. While the Red Raiders are getting national attention, and will be ranked in the top 15 in the country at the outset of the season, Zac Robinson and the Cowboys’ offense take a backseat to no one.

Robinson completed over 60 percent of his passes last season, and while Texas Tech was second in the nation in total offense last season, Oklahoma State was seventh. And the Cowboys beat the Red Raiders last season. There might not be as much attention paid to OSU in the national media, but the Cowboys can play with anyone.

2) Cowboys are due. Oklahoma State went 4-4 in Big 12 play in 2007, the best record in three seasons under Gundy. A 24-23 loss to Texas A&M and a 38-35 loss to Texas kept the Cowboys from being conference title contenders. A few breaks in 2008, and the Buffs will be facing a team with big dreams on their minds.

3) Rant Bowl. Mike Gundy v. Dan Hawkins. "I’m a Man!" v. "This ain’t intramurals." Two of the media’s favorite coaches square off in Boulder. If either team is in contention for a Big 12 title berth, look for YouTube hits to go up that week. Advantage: Gundy.

Oklahoma State game to keep an eye on before the CU/Oklahoma State game:

Houston at Oklahoma State on Sept. 6. Houston has a new coach in 2008, Kevin Sumlin, as former Houston head coach Art Briles has moved on to Baylor. The cupboard was not left bare for Sumlin, as the core talent from an 8-5 team returns.

Plus, Sumlin has offensive coordinator stints at Texas A&M and Oklahoma on his resume, so he is certainly familiar with the Cowboys. OSU stumbled out the gate in 2007, losing early to Troy. Will Houston be the Cowboys’ Trojan horse in 2008?

My thoughts:

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