BOULDER — During its first three years in the Pac-12, the Colorado football team has made life easy on opponents.
Aside from Utah, California and Washington State, Pac-12 foes have known that a game against CU is typically a cakewalk. Backups knew they would get some significant playing time against the Buffaloes.
“(In 2013), when we played them here, our starters didn’t even play but two quarters,” Arizona State coach Todd Graham said.
While the Buffaloes (2-4, 0-3 Pac-12) have yet to earn a conference win this season, they are changing their reputation. Opponents now know they need to be ready against the Buffs.
“This is a well-coached football team that has just gotten dramatically better in a year,” said Oregon State coach Mike Riley, whose team edged the Buffs 36-31 on Saturday at Folsom Field. Last year, in Corvallis, Ore., the Beavers won 44-17.
From 2011-13, CU went 4-23 in Pac-12 games. Those 23 losses came by an average of 31.4 points, with 19 of them coming by 22 points or more.
So far, this year, the Buffs’ three Pac-12 losses have come by a total of 22 points — or by an average of 7.3.
CU is in its second season under coach Mike MacIntyre, and opponents are already seeing his impact.
“I think (MacIntyre) is doing a tremendous job of coaching the team,” Graham said. “I think he inherited a very difficult situation. I’ve just seen the heart they play with, how hard they play.”
Graham believes that’s a reflection of MacIntyre, who is already becoming known for his game-day passion.
“They’re just playing like the personality of their coach,” Graham said. “I think they’ve got a lot of fight in them. I think he’s a great football coach and does a great job.”
