Enemy Blogger Interview: Colorado

The first interview following a loss. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, they have the luxury of returning to the friendly (well, maybe not now) confines of the 'Shoe. This week OSU faces off against a newly aligned Pac-12 team in Colorado. Bob Bell of Ralphie Report joins us this week to answer our questions.

1. The Colorado Buffaloes have left the Big 12 recently and joined the Pac 12. So far since then, you guys are 1-2 in the 2011 season. What's the general feeling right now among Colorado fans with the program and it's move to the Pac 12?

Ultimately, the Buffs have had a chance to win the two games they lost, especially California who beat the Buffs 52-7 last season. So that is an improvement. I think offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has done a solid job calling plays in his first stint at running an offense. The thing we at the Ralphie Report are judging this year on, is game over game improvement which we have seen. Some of the things that are still frustrating fans after these past three games, are the mental mistakes and penalties. Colorado continues to be one of the highest penalized teams in the nation, something that carried over from the Dan Hawkins era apparently.

The Buffs are lacking in depth and overall talent which is something Embree will have to improve on over time. If Embree can get that talent, I think this coaching staff has the ability to be a good one.

So far, we like the Pac-12 a ton. The road trips will certainly be better and the University of Colorado is much more like Pac-12 schools than Big 12 programs (academic reputation, quality of life, alumni base, etc.) Throw in the fact that the Big 12 is days/weeks away from not existing, CU fans are excited we got out when we did. As fans, although it will be a tough year, we will get to see first hand Oregon, USC, and Arizona at home which is a heck of a lot better than last year's home slate that included Iowa State, Kansas State, Baylor...you get the picture.

2. Who are the #1 play-makers on offense and defense? 


On defense it would Columbus, Ohio native LB Doug Rippy. He has been far and away, Colorado's best defensive player this season. He is second  on the team in tackles with 26, averaging 8.7 a game and two total sacks. Rippy has been all over the field and has made a big impact in his first year as a full time starter.

On offense, WR Paul Richardson is Colorado's best playmaker. Like we said above, he set a Colorado record with 284 yards against Cal. He has four touchdowns and is ranked 11th in receiving yards per game with 120. The true sophomore emerged late last season to be a big time threat and he continues to show that ability in 2011.

RB Rodney Stewart is also an offensive threat for the Buffs. He is only 5'8", but one of the strongest players on the team and is unbelievably shifty. It is scary to think where this offense would have been without Stewart the past few years. He moved into fourth place on CU's all-time rushing yards list, closing the Colorado State game with 2,967 career rushing yards. He is within striking distance of being the top Colorado running back ever in terms of rushing yards.



3. After getting your first win against Colorado State, can the momentum of that game help with trying to beat Ohio State?

It is certainly better than losing to Colorado State and going into the game 0-3 with absolutely no momentum. The good news for Buff fans is the team progressed from the game against Hawaii to the game against California. We saw some flashes of brilliance, but still plenty to improve. While many are still uneasy about this team after the Colorado State game, getting a win was still a positive step forward.

4. Who scares you most as Colorado's defense: Joe Bauserman or Braxton Miller?

I haven't watched a ton of Braxton Miller, but in relative terms, he worries me the most due to his athleticism. Against Hawaii, the main reason Colorado lost was QB Bryant Moniz's running ability. It seems like Miller is the better runner and with Bauserman completing only 50% of his passes, I guess I will say Miller.

5. How do you think the OSU game plays out? How will Colorado finish out the season? (W/L, Bowl game?)

Colorado has lost 19 consecutive road games. They haven't won a road game since 2007 against Texas Tech. Breaking that streak in Columbus would be an unbelievable way to get the monkey off the back, but it is going to be a tall task. I expect Ohio State to be on angry team playing at home after a couple shaky games in a row against Toledo and Miami. If Colorado can avoid the slow start and stick with Ohio State early, who knows.

As for the bowl game discussion, with the Buffs going 0-2 to start the season, it will be hard to get to a bowl game this season especially since we have to win seven games (played 13 total games this year with Hawaii). Our schedule is one of the hardest in the nation with games @Hawaii, a non conference game against California, @ Ohio State, @Stanford, @Utah (who looked great last week against BYU), vs. USC, vs. Oregon, vs. Arizona, @Arizona State. Coming off five poor years in a row and a new coaching staff, we knew this year was going to be a tough year.