BOULDER – Colorado’s goals for this football season may need some adjusting upward. But nobody was tripping over a crystal ball on Sunday when CU coach Dan Hawkins gave his team a quick tour of the newly inflated practice bubble and then let the players have the evening off after some stretching.
Following a 43-23 victory at Baylor on Saturday night, CU coaches and players remain in a week-to-week mode. Up next: a visit to Kansas State this weekend. The Wildcats (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) figure to be in a foul mood after losing at home to Kansas for the first time since 1989.
Hawkins didn’t want to hear any mention of bowl games when he addressed the team Sunday.
“What happens is, you have a little success and win a few games and everybody starts prognosticating about what’s going to happen,” Hawkins explained. “That’s great for everybody else, but that’s not great for us. These guys have been pretty mature about everything, but just reminding them again – it’s the ‘Wildcat Bowl’ this week. We’re playing the Wildcats.”
The regular season has reached the midway point and the Buffs (4-2, 2-0) stand atop the Big 12 North standings. Missouri (5-0, 1-0) solidified its status as the North favorite after pummeling Nebraska 41-6 Saturday night. But Colorado should at least become part of the conversation.
Missouri must travel on Nov. 3 to CU’s Folsom Field, where the Tigers haven’t won since 1997. CU also gets Nebraska and suddenly formidable Kansas at home.
Anybody care to dream?
“The schedule is definitely laid out in our favor,” senior punt-return specialist Chase McBride said. “But we have K-State this week. That’s what you worry about first.”
Colorado needs just two more victories to become bowl-eligible. Last year, the Buffs were winless after six games.
“The season is already half over, which is pretty unbelievable,” quarterback Cody Hawkins said. “We have to come out strong every week because if you drop one game, it can have a huge effect.”
Getting a quick tour of the practice bubble fired up the team, Cody Hawkins said. “It definitely brings some excitement to the program,” he said. “To finally have it … the seniors have been promised this since they got here.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
