Boulder – Having steamrolled Big 12 South opponents on successive weeks, Colorado football players say their mind-set couldn’t be more determined, driven and confident entering the national spotlight Saturday at No. 2 Texas.
It’s a “make a statement” opportunity Buffaloes senior tight end Joe Klopfenstein apparently took literally.
He made his statement early. And it’s plenty bold.
“I think we’re playing well enough to give (Texas) a good game; I think we’re going to go in there and beat them,” Klopfenstein said. “We’re really hitting our stride. It’s pretty much perfect timing to play a team like that.”
The 24th-ranked Buffaloes (4-1, 2-0 Big 12), appearing in the polls for the first time this season, crushed Oklahoma State and Texas A&M by a combined 75-20 the past two weeks. Last year the Buffs lost to both teams but were still good enough to win the Big 12 North. This team feels more in control, linebacker Brian Iwuh said.
“Last year we couldn’t bounce back from penalties and other mistakes,” Iwuh said. “When we’re put in tough situations this year, we go onto the field knowing (we can).”
Texas (5-0, 2-0) and superstar quarterback Vince Young provide the season’s biggest challenge. CU coach Gary Barnett said he has voted Texas No. 1 all season. After routing Oklahoma, the Longhorns received four first-place votes this week in the USA Today coaches poll, compared with 57 for Southern Cal.
“There’s no apparent weakness; they’re playing as well as I’ve ever seen a Texas team play,” Barnett said.
Colorado did not score an offensive touchdown last October in a 31-7 loss to Texas in Boulder.
“We were so disappointed in the way we played in that game,” Barnett said. “I’m sure we’ll bounce back and play better.”
Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione senses this is a different Colorado team, saying: “They played with great spirit and confidence. I think you’ve seen it all year, and it just continues to grow.”
Growth, improvement and confidence have become CU’s operative words.
“I don’t think we’ve played our best game yet,” Iwuh said.
That may be what it will take to defeat Texas.
Footnotes
Offensive lineman Daniel Sanders (partially torn hamstring) is out three to four weeks, and defensive end Alonzo Barrett (torn posterior crucial ligament in his left knee) will be sidelined for at least six weeks. … The weather forced CU into Balch Fieldhouse for a one-hour workout Monday. “It put us behind (in preparing) for Texas,” Barnett said. … Iwuh, on the Buffs moving into the polls: “We haven’t gotten too excited about it because I don’t think anybody on our team is satisfied with a No. 24 ranking. We think we’re better than that.”
Staff writer Chris Dempsey contributed to this report.
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
