Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
When Colorado coach Dan Hawkins made his claim that his team would win “10 games without any excuses” after last season, he couldn’t have imagined how wrong his prediction would be.
West Virginia’s methodical 35-24 victory over the Buffaloes ended Hawkins’ hopes of matching that pick -- at least in the regular season -- before conference play even begins.
And in a microcosm, the Buffaloes’ loss Thursday night showed the faults that have been so apparent all season.
Colorado looked slow on defense as West Virginia tailback Noel Devine gashed them for 220 rushing yards.
The Buffaloes had their chances but gave up too many big plays. It’s the same formula that bewitched them in earlier prime-time losses against Colorado State and Toledo.
West Virginia had four first-half turnovers which kept them from piling up more points. The final score was made more presentable by a garbage-time touchdown by Colorado in the final moments.
And it could get a lot worse before it gets better. The Buffaloes face Texas and Kansas in the next two weeks and could be staring at a 1-5 record halfway through the season.
A blowout 70-3 loss to Texas four years ago in the Big 12 championship game was the tipping point that led to a coaching change in Colorado.
It will be interesting to see what happens if the Buffaloes endure another Texas blowout next week.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Tim Griffin
Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
