BOULDER — It’s not unusual for Colorado coach Jon Embree to talk with the entire squad on Mondays, but this week’s team meeting raised eyebrows, according to players.
Embree gave a critical analysis of the Buffaloes — compliments of Ohio State head coach Luke Fickell.
“I’d never experienced anything like that,” CU senior tight end Matt Bahr recalled Tuesday.
Speaking Tuesday during his weekly media luncheon, Embree said he chatted briefly on Saturday with Fickell during the post-game handshake following the 37-17 Ohio State win in Columbus.
They agreed to talk again by phone on Sunday evening. That conversation lasted about 20 to 30 minutes, Embree said.
Embree sought out Fickell to get an outside opinion about his players. For the most part, according to Embree, the Buckeyes coach thought Colorado (1-3) has enough talent to play better than it has shown.
“I talked to Coach Fickell and we talked about (Colorado’s) personnel,” Embree recalled. “Hearing his perspective about our players… I shared that with them.
“Some of them were probably shocked about how highly he thought of our guys. They need to understand that they are good, they are capable.”
CU will host its first Pac-12 Conference game Saturday (1:30 p.m., Fox College Sports) with Washington State (2-1) coming to Boulder. The Buffs’ matchup against California two weeks ago was previously scheduled as a nonconference game and did not count in the league standings.
With the season almost one-third completed, Embree already is putting on his psychologist hat.
“I told the players that they need to start seeing themselves for what they’re capable of,” Embree said. “We have some good players. Do we have a bunch? No. Do we have a lot of depth? No. But we have some good players.
“Those good players have to see it that way and take it upon themselves… When you don’t have a bunch of good players, those guys can’t have an off game. They have to put pressure on themselves to go out and perform at that level or better every week.
“This is just my opinion, (but) I don’t think the players see themselves that way… The team truly has to have the same expectations that I have.”
Bahr said he is sure some of the players took the critiques personally — especially with them coming from an opposing coach.
“I mean, the comment on me was that I’m not a great route runner and I don’t need to be covered very well because I’ll probably drop the ball,” Bahr said. “That’s something I have to work on. It’s going to inspire me to catch more passes.”
Bahr said Embree emphasized that Saturday’s Pac-12 opener against Washington State “is really the beginning of our season.
“Guys are on board with that,” Bahr said. “We believe there is a lot to still be accomplished.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
