BOULDER — Colorado interim coach Brian Cabral wants his team to feel good about its 34-14 victory over Iowa State last weekend. But not too good.
Kansas State is coming to town.
“The competition gets greater,” Cabral said. “Kansas State is twice as physical as Iowa State.”
Speaking during his first weekly media luncheon since taking over for Dan Hawkins, Cabral said Iowa State might have overlooked the Buffaloes, considering that CU appeared to be in a free fall with a five- game losing streak and its coach being fired.
On the other hand, Cabral said, Colorado might have been surprised by Kansas State a year ago. The Wildcats, still getting acquainted with a new staff after the return of coach Bill Snyder, bullied the Buffs 20-6 in Manhattan, Kan. CU took an early 6-3 lead and then couldn’t do much of anything.
“I don’t think Iowa State knew what to expect, and we took advantage of them,” Cabral said. “We’re not going to sneak up on Kansas State. We’re going to have Kansas State full-force. We’re going to have Kansas State and Bill Snyder full-force.”
Although the two have never been formally introduced, Cabral said there may not be another Big 12 coach who has witnessed Snyder’s accomplishments the way he has. Initially as a graduate assistant, Cabral returned to his alma mater in 1989 — the same year that Snyder took over a Kansas State team called “the worst program in America” by Sports Illustrated.
Snyder’s first team went 1-11. By 1993, Kansas State had improved to 9-2-1 and began a string of 11 consecutive years with a bowl invitation.
“I saw how Coach Snyder brought that program along, the changes he has made in that environment,” Cabral said. “I know all too well the handiwork of Bill Snyder. We’ve got a tall task ahead of us here.”
Snyder, 71, was out of coaching for three years before returning prior to the 2009 season. The Wildcats went 6-6 last fall and already are bowl-eligible (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) this year. Snyder’s teams are invariably strong on fundamentals, do not beat themselves with mistakes and exploit their strengths and the opponent’s weaknesses, Cabral said.
“It’s going to take more than just our best effort,” Cabral said. “You cannot underestimate Coach Snyder and how well he prepares his team and how well he prepares his attack for his opponents. It’s old- school football. They ram it down your throats. We weren’t prepared for that a year ago.”
Final Big 12 home game.
Cabral said “the only nostalgia” he will feel Saturday is watching 17 Buffs seniors play at Folsom Field for the last time. “It’s a feeling you’ll never forget,” Cabral said, recalling his own experience.
Footnotes.
Coincidentally, KSU’s last two regular-season games are against teams with interim coaches. The Wildcats play at North Texas on Nov. 27. . . . CU is selling $12 tickets in the student area because many students will already have taken off for Thanksgiving break. . . . On paper, the matchup features strength vs. strength. KSU ranks 21st nationally in rushing (just 100th in passing), while CU is 35th in rushing defense.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
