Similar opponents:
Idaho (basically, like Idaho State) - 59-14 (similar score as CU)
@Zona - 35-28 (not quite as good as CU, but Zona played both similarly well)
Stanford - 44-6 (McCaffrey out, 3 DBs out, much better result than we played @Stanford)
@Oregon - 70-21 (MUCH better than our 3 point win although Oregon was shell of itself at this time)
OSU - 41-17 (CU actually played OSU better)
@Utah - 31-24 (Played Utah similarly as CU)
USC - 26-13 (CU actually played USC better on the road than UW at home)
ASU - 44-18 (CU actually played ASU better)
@WSU - 45-17 (WSU missed 3 point blank redzone opportunities or this is a close one... score is much different but games were somewhat similar)
UW played 3 opponents better than CU did, and CU played 3 opponents better than they did. The interesting games are the tough ones, USC, Utah, and WSU. All 3 were played relatively recently and both schools went 2-1 in those games. Both lost to USC and beat Utah and WSU. CU beat Utah and WSU at home while Washington beat them both on the road. CU played USC better than Washington did on the road vs. at home for Washington. The only real blowout in all of those games was the Apple Cup, but Leach had 21 sure points taken away with terrible plays inside the 5 yard line once he got behind and his team pooped their pants. That game isn't a barn burner if WSU does a better job in the redzone.
Really the two teams have very similar results and records though. UW just didn't have to play a Michigan in Michigan nor were they forced to play their backup QB for significant time this season. If UW played CU's schedule, they are 10-2 without question. CU is likely 11-1 with their schedule although you wonder if CU beats USC at home, but then you have to wonder if we beat Utah or WSU on the road. We may very well have dropped one of those.
The way I see it though, the two teams have had fairly similar seasons. UW has played better 'all around' football in that they have beaten teams with every phase of the game. Their offense has been strong all year long. Their defense has been strong all year long. Their special teams have been very strong all year long. CU has had 1 or the other each week but hasn't really put it all together in any particular game. Advantage UW in that they are more well rounded. If CU were to finally put it all together this week, we could seriously win this game. Obviously the Utah game gives us some doubt, but we definitely could do it. Let's hope our coaches and players are up to the task.
Idaho (basically, like Idaho State) - 59-14 (similar score as CU)
@Zona - 35-28 (not quite as good as CU, but Zona played both similarly well)
Stanford - 44-6 (McCaffrey out, 3 DBs out, much better result than we played @Stanford)
@Oregon - 70-21 (MUCH better than our 3 point win although Oregon was shell of itself at this time)
OSU - 41-17 (CU actually played OSU better)
@Utah - 31-24 (Played Utah similarly as CU)
USC - 26-13 (CU actually played USC better on the road than UW at home)
ASU - 44-18 (CU actually played ASU better)
@WSU - 45-17 (WSU missed 3 point blank redzone opportunities or this is a close one... score is much different but games were somewhat similar)
UW played 3 opponents better than CU did, and CU played 3 opponents better than they did. The interesting games are the tough ones, USC, Utah, and WSU. All 3 were played relatively recently and both schools went 2-1 in those games. Both lost to USC and beat Utah and WSU. CU beat Utah and WSU at home while Washington beat them both on the road. CU played USC better than Washington did on the road vs. at home for Washington. The only real blowout in all of those games was the Apple Cup, but Leach had 21 sure points taken away with terrible plays inside the 5 yard line once he got behind and his team pooped their pants. That game isn't a barn burner if WSU does a better job in the redzone.
Really the two teams have very similar results and records though. UW just didn't have to play a Michigan in Michigan nor were they forced to play their backup QB for significant time this season. If UW played CU's schedule, they are 10-2 without question. CU is likely 11-1 with their schedule although you wonder if CU beats USC at home, but then you have to wonder if we beat Utah or WSU on the road. We may very well have dropped one of those.
The way I see it though, the two teams have had fairly similar seasons. UW has played better 'all around' football in that they have beaten teams with every phase of the game. Their offense has been strong all year long. Their defense has been strong all year long. Their special teams have been very strong all year long. CU has had 1 or the other each week but hasn't really put it all together in any particular game. Advantage UW in that they are more well rounded. If CU were to finally put it all together this week, we could seriously win this game. Obviously the Utah game gives us some doubt, but we definitely could do it. Let's hope our coaches and players are up to the task.
