On this episode, the Apostles recap and react to week 3 of college football in the Pac-12. All twelve teams were in action and the results were somewhat unexpected. The USC and Stanford games were especially shocking. In their weekly game picks, George finished the week with a 8-4 record because of a boneheaded tweet, while Ralph was 9-3.
Thanks to one of you apostles we have our first fan rant!
The apostles reveal their Pac-12 power rankings for week 4.
The Pac-12 Apostles is a podcast for fans who love the Pac-12 conference. George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden are committed to the honest and fair conversation about the Pac-12 conference. They talk about the good, bad, and the ugly about the Pac-12. Join them in becoming a Pac-12 Apostle by subscribing and sharing the podcast. Send your thoughts, comments, and :30 ranks to immad@unafraidshow.com. The best comments and rants will be included in the show.
Visit Unafraid Show to read unapologetic articles about the conference and the teams you love.
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An instant classic in the saga of Nebraska vs. Colorado. That is what happened at Folsom Field when the Cornhuskers invaded Boulder on Saturday. But this classic game, a resounding win for the Colorado Buffaloes and first-year head coach Mel Tucker, did not root its atmosphere in 2019 alone.
A college football rivalry dating back to 1898, the Colorado-Nebraska rivalry is one college football fans had to deal without for the early part of this decade. Renewed in 2018, the matchup still proves to be one of college football’s best.
Last year, legendary Colorado Buffaloes football coach Bill McCartney stated his belief that the whole state of Colorado could get behind the effort of beating their old Big 12 rivals. The Buffaloes made the state do just that.
Down 28-27 with just over one minute left, quarterback Steven Montez hit Laviska Shenault in the right corner of the end zone. It was the decisive touchdown in a 33-28 win. Then-head coach Mike MacIntyre hugged his son Jaye as Boulder filled with Euphoria. Colorado was back, or so many thought.
But the remainder of 2018 would not prove so kind. After a 5-0 start to the season, the Buffaloes failed to win another game. The result led to MacIntyre being let go and another new era in Colorado football history.
Come back every Tuesday for a new installment of Pac-12 Football Seasons: 2019 Colorado Buffaloes
Setting the Table for 2019 Colorado Buffaloes Week 3
After dispatching Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, the Buffaloes turned attention to a sea of red. Nebraska, with revenge on their mind, would visit Boulder in college football week two. The Huskers had unfinished business, but the Buffaloes had something to prove.
Drowning out the red. That was the goal for the Buffaloes as the Huskers invaded Boulder. It looked like a giant pool of red blood that had fissured the usual black and gold colors seen in Folsom Field’s stands. The Buffs’ first drive took up about half of the first quarter, but the offense came out choppy for the second consecutive week, as the team gained 33 yards on 12 plays and was forced to punt. Not exactly the remedy the Buffs were looking for to silence the red.
Nebraska, meanwhile, showed precision and came out swinging. They had touchdown drives of 96 and 95 yards in the first half, igniting their fans. Home chants were infected by chants of “Go Big Red”.
The Buffs looked flustered as they entered the halftime locker room down 17-0. This was much their own doing. In fact, Colorado did about everything wrong on offense in the first half. It seemed like the team had no identity. The choppiness they showed in the CSU game was forwarded into the first half against Nebraska.
The Comeback
Fortunately, the Buffaloes turned it around.
It began with an eight-play, 64-yard drive that gave the Buffs their first score with 1:26 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Question being, would they have enough time to heal the wound of a 17-point deficit to Big Red?
Eventually, yes.
Getting the ball back early in the fourth quarter, Colorado and offensive coordinator Jay Johnson needed to silence the Nebraska crowd and strike fast. They did so by getting creative.
Positioned nearly an entire field length away from their end zone, Colorado drew up its most daring play in years: the flea-flicker. Quarterback Steven Montez took the pitch back from running back Alex Fontenot and stood in the end zone with Nebraska rushers pursuing him. He completed the pass to K.D. Nixon, who ran into the end zone to cut the Nebraska lead to 17-14. Words cannot do this play justice.
With the stadium rocking and silencing the Nebraska faithful, the Huskers struck back with a quick TD to regain a 10-point lead.
The Buffs would not lie down, as those watching the game got a sudden sense this would be one for the history books. Classic Nebraska vs. Colorado.
Sensing their shot and riding a wave of second-half momentum, Colorado pulled within three on a lightning-fast 5 play, 75 yards touchdown drive. Folsom Field thundered, and with the help of a timely fumble by Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, the stadium got louder, especially once the Buffaloes kicked a field goal to tie the game with 8:30 remaining.
An Ending to Remember
But Nebraska proved unrelenting in their effort to make sure the red took over Boulder. Shaking off his mistake, Martinez marched the Huskers down the field and muscled in for a touchdown on 4th-and-1 to give them a 31-24 lead.
With time beginning to wind down, Colorado knew it needed to regain momentum. Unfortunately, they would not get the chance they were hoping for, as Shenault fumbled the kickoff return around midfield, giving the Huskers a prime opportunity to eat the clock.
But it was not Nebraska’s day. The glory was to be had by Colorado.
With Folsom Field thundering, the Buffaloes stuffed Nebraska and got the ball back with 3:33 remaining.
On a defining drive, Montez converted a 4th-and-1 at midfield to keep the Buffs afloat. Then, with 46 seconds left to play, he connected with Tony Brown on a 26-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. The game headed to overtime, where the Buffaloes would finally overtake the red.
Overtime
Kicking a field goal on their first offensive possession of overtime, Colorado turned to its defense. Fortunately for the Buffaloes, new head coach Mel Tucker knows a thing or two about game-changing defenses.
Needing a field goal to tie and a touchdown to win, Nebraska was stuffed by Colorado. The end result of their first and only offensive possession in overtime? A four-play, negative six-yard drive that ended with a missed field goal. Wide right.
As the field goal missed, it was the Black and Gold that poured onto the field. This was what Colorado needed to put themselves on the college football map.
These type of wins catapult programs into the national spotlight, and it was the exact type of win that coach Mel Tucker needed. His team has taken on his personality of a never-give-in attitude. They did not surrender to a dangerous Nebraska team, which along with their fans, attempted to invade Folsom Field.
Next Up: Air Force
CU will welcome another team in close proximity to them next week in the Air Force Falcons. The team will be coming off of the high of beating the Huskers, but should not overlook the challenge that the Falcons will present.
Air Force is known for running the option, and it will be important for the Buffs to respect their opponent, who is from what most would say an inferior conference. However, the Pac-12 and Mountain West have always had a “big brother little brother” rivalry, and it is important that the Buffaloes once again show which football team rules the land in Colorado, as they did when they beat Colorado State two weeks ago.
But while the team focuses on the upcoming game, there is no doubting the importance of beating Nebraska. Triumphant two years straight in one of college football’s best rivalries, Colorado has made its statement. The red was drowned out and the Black and Gold has risen. It’s time for the next chapter in Colorado football.
On this episode of the Pac-12 Apostles, George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden react and dissect the Week 2 performances of each team in the Pac-12 conference. Week 2 featured a few key conference games that led to some a surprise breakout performance and an unexpected win. George was right about the Cal victory and Oregon State loss while Ralph has been right about UCLA possibly going 1-11 this season.
The apostles also try to figure out why the Pac-12 is having such difficulty beating the Mountain West Conference. They agree that Hawaii must be included in the Pac-12 power rankings if they beat Washington this week. Read about how those losses to Mountain West teams ultimately lead back to commissioner Larry Scott.
George and Ralph reveal their Pac-12 Power Rankings for Week3. The top of the conference looks extremely strong with Oregon, Cal, Utah, USC, and Washington leading the way.
Visit Unafraid Show to read unapologetic articles about the conference and the teams you love.
The Pac-12 Apostles is a podcast for fans who love the Pac-12 conference. George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden are committed to the honest and fair conversation about the Pac-12 conference. They talk about the good, bad, and the ugly about the Pac-12. Join them in becoming a Pac-12 Apostle by subscribing and sharing the podcast. Send your thoughts, comments, and :30 ranks to immad@unafraidshow.com. The best comments and rants will be included in the show.
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George and Ralph make their week 2 predictions and preview all the Pac-12 matchups for college football week 2. They also discuss injuries to KJ Costello and JT Daniels. What will be the impact on their teams and conference as a whole?
Can Oregon State have a better showing against Hawaii than Arizona did? Should Arizona feel threatened by this week’s FCS opponent and their fifth year quarterback? Is Northern Illinois’ style of play enough to give Utah a contest? Can Washington’s Jacob Eason handle Cal’s secondary? Will USC’s Kedon Slovis be able to handle Stanford’s defense in his first college start? We discuss all that and more in week 2 preview episode of The Pac-12 Apostles Podcast.
Mike Leach clearly has too much time on his hands. His twitter feed looks nothing like any other college football head coach.
The Apostles recollect the punch that defined a career on the 10th anniversary of Oregon’s postgame brawl with Boise State. LeGarrette Blount knocked Byron Hout out after Boise State beat Oregon. It was a game changer for everybody involved. Did Hout deserve it? Send your thoughts and comments to immad@unafraidshow.com.
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The Pac-12 Apostles is a podcast for fans who love the Pac-12 conference. George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden are committed to the honest and fair conversation about the Pac-12 conference. They talk about the good, bad, and the ugly about the Pac-12. Join them in becoming a Pac-12 Apostle by subscribing and sharing the podcast. Send your thoughts, comments, and :30 ranks to immad@unafraidshow.com. The best comments and rants will be included in the show.
On this episode of the Pac-12 Apostles, George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden dissect and grade the Week 1 performances of each team in the Pac-12 conference. Through the first week of college football the Pac-12 finished with a respectable 8-4 non-conference record. Oregon did lose the most important game to the conference to Auburn, but gained a lot of respect in the process. The conference is not out of the College Football Playoff conversation. But will likely need to be undefeated the rest of the way.
There were a few key injuries in week 1 the Apostles discuss. USC lost starting quarterbacks JT Daniels with a torn ACL/MCL. Washington Huskies center Nick Harris left the game early on but does not appear to seriously injured.
On Episode 6 of the Pac-12 Apostles Podcast with George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden, the guys take you through a preview of the eleven games over three days that will set the tone for the entire conference. George and Ralph pick winners, and discuss which games are most important to the image of the Pac-12 as a whole.
But before they do all that, they first discuss the trend of high profile transfer quarterbacks being beaten out for starting jobs by the quarterbacks who have been in the system for multiple seasons, as we’ve seen at Cal, Washington State and Oregon State.
Finally, George and Ralph “cast stones” at the Pac-12’s continued trend of shooting themselves in the proverbial foot by scheduling weekday games.
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On this episode of the Pac-12 Apostles podcast, George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden are over the moon about the start of college football season. The opening game in the Pac-12 was a zero week game between the Arizona Wildcats and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. George and Ralph break down Arizona’s loss. All the Apostles know that Ralph has a mancrush on Khalil Tate so he has some explaining to do about Arizona’s loss to Hawaii.
George and Ralph unveil their Pac-12 Preseason Power Rankings to start the season. They disagree on just about every team. Send us your Pac-12 Power Rankings to: immad@unafraidshow.com
There have been rumors swirling around about Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott being replaced before season’s end. Will this happen? If so, who would be the prime candidates to replace him? Ralph enlightens us about the behind the scene whispers.
The Apostles discuss clips from an interview Ralph did with Pac-12 quarterback recruit Miller Moss (Bishop Alemany). He shed light on where he believes the best college football is played and how he will make his commitment decision.
On the Pac-12 Apostles Ep 5 podcast, George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden are over the moon about the start of college football season. The opening game in the Pac-12 was a zero week game between the Arizona Wildcats and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. George and Ralph break down Arizona’s loss. All the Apostles know that Ralph has a man-crush on Khalil Tate so he has some explaining to do about Arizona’s loss to Hawaii.
George and Ralph unveil their Pac-12 Football Preseason Power Rankings to start the season. They disagree on just about every team. Send us your Pac-12 Power Rankings to: immad@unafraidshow.com
There have been rumors swirling around about Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott being replaced before season’s end. Will this happen? If so, who would be the prime candidates to replace him? Ralph enlightens us about the behind the scene whispers.
The Apostles discuss clips from an interview Ralph did with Pac-12 quarterback recruit Miller Moss (Bishop Alemany). He shed light on where he believes the best college football is played and how he will make his commitment decision.
The preseason AP Poll came out and it featured five Pac-12 teams but there was still massive disrespect for the conference in the mainstream sports media. USC only got 1 vote while Appalachian State, and Army got more votes. Fans don’t realize how big of an affect the preseason polls have on the College Football Playoff rankings. There were countless cases in 2018. Eleven of the top 25 teams in the 2018-19 Preseason AP Poll didn’t even finish ranked. In 2017, nine didn’t finish ranked. In 2016, 13 didn’t finish ranked. Commonly, those early season matchups that were so hyped up turned out to be nothing burgers, but they did affect the CFB Playoff committee rankings.
Jeremy McCarthy wrote an article on Unafraid Show about the 12 breakout Pac-12 Players and the Apostles discuss where he got it right and where he went wrong.
THE 12: There are many players that are crucial to their team and entire Pac-12’s success. We rank them from 1-12. There are defensive lineman, offensive lineman, running backs, a wide receiver, quarterbacks on the list.
CASTING STONES: When will media members stop asking about what coaches are on the hot seat and how many wins it will take for a coach to keep his job. USC’s Athletic Director Lynn Swann was asked that about Clay Helton recently and of course he gave a nothing answer.
Send us an email with your thoughts: immad@unafraidshow.com
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In Episode 3, the Pac-12 Apostles deal with George Wrighster’s tweet about Colson Yankoff that sent Washington Huskies fans into a tailspin. Yankoff is a former QB for Washington who transfered to UCLA. Huskies coach Chris Petersen refused to grant a waiver allowing Yankoff to appeal to the NCAA for immediate eligibility at UCLA. Both Ralph and George hate the hypocrisy in the NCAA system. The NCAA claims the players are student athletes who need to be protected, but regularly treats them like employees. It is ridiculous that coaches can move as they please from school to school, but the players have restrictions. (0:00 – 11:59)
Recruiting matters in college football. The teams with the most talent have the best chance to win the CFB Playoff and National Championship. There are 64 recruits in the 2020 class with either 4-5 stars who live in Pac-12 states or neighboring states. With the exception of the Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies, the conference is falling behind in the recruiting rankings for the class of 2020. The early signing period is not until December, but the USC Trojans are ranked between 60th and 68th depending on which recruiting site you like. (12:00- 23:41)
George and Ralph rank the Pac-12 stadiums from #12 to #1.(23:42-End)
Send us an email with your thoughts: immad@unafraidshow.com
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