Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Greg Bullard
Scouting Colorado – The Buffs From A Distance
December 12, 2016 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State has a long history with its 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl opponent, Colorado. The series between the two dates back to 1920. The two teams played every year as members of the Big Eight Conference and that extended into the Big 12 era. This is the first meeting between the two teams since Colorado moved to the Pac-12 in 2011.
The Buffaloes lead the all-time series, 26-19-1, but Oklahoma State has won three of the last four, including a 31-28 victory in 2009 when the two teams last met. The lone neutral-site meeting between the two teams was the first meeting between the two teams, played in Oklahoma City in 1920. Colorado was a 40-7 winner that day.
Champions of the Pac-12 South division this year, the Buffs enter bowl season having won six of their last seven games, with the lone loss coming to Washington in the conference championship game. What coach Mike MacIntyre has done in Boulder is remarkable, given that Colorado 14-48 in the five seasons previous to this year. He was honored as the 2016 Pac-12 Coach of the Year and the National Coach of the Year. CU picked up quality wins at Stanford and at home against Washington State and Utah.
The Buffs have excelled on defense this year. They lead the Pac-12 in first downs defense, pass defense, red zone defense, pass efficiency defense and defensive touchdowns. CU ranks among the top 20 nationally in all of those defensive categories, plus turnovers gained, third-down defense, fumbles recovered, interceptions, scoring defense and total defense. First-team All-Pac-12 linebacker Jimmie Gilbert has been very disruptive this season, amassing 9.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, six fumbles forced and six quarterback hurries.
Colorado averages 32.8 points per game and has been fairly balanced in terms of how it scores. The Buffs are more of a running team than a passing team, but the balance is close enough that opposing teams need to prepare for both. Of Colorado's 50 offensive touchdowns this season, 29 came on the ground and 21 came through the air. The Buffs average 5.59 yards per play. Running back Phillip Lindsay (230 carries for 1,189 yards and 16 touchdowns/47 receptions for 390 yards and a touchdown) and left tackle Jeromy Irwin both earned second-team All-Pac-12 recognition.
On special teams, Isaiah Oliver is a dangerous punt returner. He returned one for a touchdown in CU's win over UCLA. Coverage has been problematic for the Buffs, who rank 126th nationally in kickoff return defense and are 121st nationally in net punting. Chris Graham has successfully converted 10 of his 14 field goal attempts on the year.
Colorado's post-season award-winners
LB Jimmie Gilbert – First-Team All-Pac-12 (coaches and Associated Press)
CB Chidobe Awuzie – First-Team All-Pac-12 (Associated Press)
S Tedric Thompson – First-Team All-Pac-12 (Associated Press)
DB Ryan Moeller – First-Team All-Pac-12 Special Teams Player (coaches)
OL Tim Lynott – Freshman All-America
RB Phillip Lindsay – Second-Team All-Pac-12 (coaches)
OL Jeromy Irwin – Second-Team All-Pac-12 (coaches)
CB Ahkello Witherspoon – Second-Team All-Pac-12 (coaches and Associated Press)
The Buffaloes lead the all-time series, 26-19-1, but Oklahoma State has won three of the last four, including a 31-28 victory in 2009 when the two teams last met. The lone neutral-site meeting between the two teams was the first meeting between the two teams, played in Oklahoma City in 1920. Colorado was a 40-7 winner that day.
Champions of the Pac-12 South division this year, the Buffs enter bowl season having won six of their last seven games, with the lone loss coming to Washington in the conference championship game. What coach Mike MacIntyre has done in Boulder is remarkable, given that Colorado 14-48 in the five seasons previous to this year. He was honored as the 2016 Pac-12 Coach of the Year and the National Coach of the Year. CU picked up quality wins at Stanford and at home against Washington State and Utah.
The Buffs have excelled on defense this year. They lead the Pac-12 in first downs defense, pass defense, red zone defense, pass efficiency defense and defensive touchdowns. CU ranks among the top 20 nationally in all of those defensive categories, plus turnovers gained, third-down defense, fumbles recovered, interceptions, scoring defense and total defense. First-team All-Pac-12 linebacker Jimmie Gilbert has been very disruptive this season, amassing 9.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, six fumbles forced and six quarterback hurries.
Colorado averages 32.8 points per game and has been fairly balanced in terms of how it scores. The Buffs are more of a running team than a passing team, but the balance is close enough that opposing teams need to prepare for both. Of Colorado's 50 offensive touchdowns this season, 29 came on the ground and 21 came through the air. The Buffs average 5.59 yards per play. Running back Phillip Lindsay (230 carries for 1,189 yards and 16 touchdowns/47 receptions for 390 yards and a touchdown) and left tackle Jeromy Irwin both earned second-team All-Pac-12 recognition.
On special teams, Isaiah Oliver is a dangerous punt returner. He returned one for a touchdown in CU's win over UCLA. Coverage has been problematic for the Buffs, who rank 126th nationally in kickoff return defense and are 121st nationally in net punting. Chris Graham has successfully converted 10 of his 14 field goal attempts on the year.
Colorado's post-season award-winners
LB Jimmie Gilbert – First-Team All-Pac-12 (coaches and Associated Press)
CB Chidobe Awuzie – First-Team All-Pac-12 (Associated Press)
S Tedric Thompson – First-Team All-Pac-12 (Associated Press)
DB Ryan Moeller – First-Team All-Pac-12 Special Teams Player (coaches)
OL Tim Lynott – Freshman All-America
RB Phillip Lindsay – Second-Team All-Pac-12 (coaches)
OL Jeromy Irwin – Second-Team All-Pac-12 (coaches)
CB Ahkello Witherspoon – Second-Team All-Pac-12 (coaches and Associated Press)
Friday, June 05
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