CU football half way there

The classroom is not the only place where midterms are handed out.

For the CU football team, midterm evaluations have been made. Halfway through their 12-game season, the 3-3 Buffs may have to deal with a .500 grade, a 0-2 record in conference play and reassessing their goals.

Junior quarterback Tyler Hansen said there is unfilled potential that remains during his team’s next six, possibly seven, games.

“We still have a lot ahead of us, half the year left and still a lot of winnable games,” Hansen said. “The way we’re looking at it right now is we can win three or four games and make a pretty good bowl game and send these seniors out on a good note.”

A win this week in Boulder against Texas Tech (3-3, 1-3 Big 12) could decide the Buffs’ bowl fortunes early. There are three remaining home games, all of which provide legitimate chances for the Buffs–a team that needs three more wins to qualify for the postseason.

Tech comes to Folsom field with a matching record. Both will meet in Boulder, fresh off loses against Big 12 foes.

However, the Red Raiders are desperate, as all their losses have come within conference play.

Fortunately, a team that ranks 117th in pass defense presents a golden opportunity for Hansen and his receivers.

“Its exciting when you see stats like that because you’re [thinking], ‘We can throw the ball on these guys,’” he said. “But with their type of offense, you always want to keep them off the field.”

Even after the divorce from spread-offense guru Mike Leach, Texas Tech still boasts one of the nation’s top passing attacks in Lubbock.

Former Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville is in his first season at the school and received praise from the football headman at CU.

“In his first year he’s done a nice job of trying to keep what [the program has been] doing well and blend in what his style is,” said Coach Dan Hawkins.

After two consecutive losses, Hawkins and company need to pocket a win this Saturday to stay above a .500 record. Since the game takes place in Colorado, the only state the team has won in during the last three seasons, the outcome seems like it will go well for the Buffs and their bowl chances.

“Every game is important, but this one in particular has a little more on it,” said senior corner Jalil Brown. “…we don’t want it to go downhill from here.”

A loss to Texas Tech would certainly put the Buffs in a good direction. The next week they travel to Norman, Okla. to play the Sooners, who are No. 1 in the initial BCS standings.

The final two games are looming over the Buffs as well, as they will play Kansas State and Nebraska, both 5-1 and ranked in the AP polls.

Hawkins said the sense of urgency in Boulder remains the same.

“There always is,” Hawkins said. “It always continues to be that way.”

A week removed from giving up 543 yards to Baylor’s spread offense, the defense is left wondering what happened. The supposed strong suit of the team fell victim to Robert Griffin’s legs.

The Red Raiders possess a similar style of offense, only without the dual-threat at quarterback. Taylor Potts has been incredibly accurate this season, but Buff defenders do not seemed threatened by him running.

“When you get a QB who doesn’t have the ability as much to run, you can focus more on the pass and the screens,” Brown said. “So I think that will work in our favor this game.”

Considering that Potts engineers the sixth ranked passing offense in the entire nation is not so favorable for CU. The fact that the safety and nickleback spots continue to be up in the air also spells bad news.

Baylor picked apart freshman safety Jered Bell, making his first start in place of the injured Anthony Perkins difficult.

Hawkins said on Tuesday that corner Travis Sandersfeld may play, but it’s not likely.

On top of all that, star corner Jimmy Smith suffered a concussion on Saturday, and his status for Saturday’s game is unknown.

How the crutched secondary holds up against Texas Tech’s potent spread is the matchup to watch. The constant of the group has been Brown, who leads the Buffs in interceptions.

For another week, he and his teammates have had to answer questions about their head coach’s job security. Whether Hawkins is coming back next year or not, he said his team will be fighting for its bowl life on Saturday.

“Whether he leaves in the future or not, we still have to play this season,” Brown said. “We’re trying to get to a bowl game at the end of this season. All we can do is play our part, and let the rest take care of itself.”

Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Folsom Field in Boulder.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Michael Krumholtz at Michael.krumholtz@colorado.edu.