Colorado and Washington State meet Saturday as Pac-12 division leaders.
It’s mid-November, not late September.
So, let’s repeat that. Slowly.
Colorado and Washington State … are … leading … the … Pac-12’s … two … divisions.
This is not a joke.
While it was easier to see the Cougars coming this season — they finished 9-4 and returned prolific quarterback Luke Falk — it is a party of none that predicted Colorado to be sitting at 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the Pac-12 South.
The Buffs were 12th in last week’s rankings from the College Football Playoff selection committee.
“We’re one step closer,” quarterback Sefo Liufau said after Saturday night’s 49-24 victory at Arizona. “Now Washington State is the biggest game for us. They just keep getting a little more important every week.”
Colorado finished last or tied for last in the Pac-12 South in each of its first five seasons in the league. The Buffs won a total of five conferences in those five seasons, losing 40. How does a team go from 5-40 to 6-1?
How did everyone miss this?
First of all, they have a senior quarterback in Liufau. That helps. He’s steady. Doesn’t make mistakes. He just set a school record with his 36th career start and recently had a streak of 152 passes without an interception. He makes the offense efficient.
Also, consider that the Buffs were close last season while going 4-9 overall. They lost five games by a single score. Just being a little better was going to yield big results.
“Our young men have taken us from good to really good,” said coach Mike MacIntyre, in his fourth season. “Now they have a chance to take us to great.”
The Buffs are experienced; 17 starters are juniors or seniors.
Colorado rarely beats itself. It has gone from plus-0.08 per game in turnover margin last season to plus-0.7 this year. The Buffs forced a turnover in every game this season and 23 overall, the nation’s longest streak.
They can run the ball (204.7 yards per game) behind tailback Phillip Lindsay. They can stop the run (132.1 yards per game).
They have been healthy — 18 players have started at least all but one game (accounting for formational differences).
What’s not to like?
“We’re getting closer to that complete game,” Liufau said.
With many of the signs ignored, there has been no more surprising Power 5 conference team than the Buffs. The story’s ending hasn’t been written yet, though.
The road to the Pac-12 title game likely requires home wins over Washington State (8-2, 7-0) and Utah in the next two weeks. Those teams are 12-2 in conference play.
USC, at 6-2, is a half-game behind Colorado in the South. Utah (5-2) is a game back. The Trojans hold a tie-breaker edge over the Buffaloes. Long story short, the Buffaloes probably have to win their last two to win the South.
Why not, Colorado?
“Our kids have been focused every game,” MacIntyre said. “This is a special time in Colorado football.”