No one pleased Hawkins returning in 2010

I'm not even sure Dan Hawkins is real excited about the news he's returning to coach Colorado in 2010. According to 850 KOA (hat tip: The Ralphie Report) AD Mark Bohn will keep the embattled coach for at least one more season.

If you listen to our podcast you know we predicted this one. Colorado's financial situation is abysmal and paying off Hawkins and hiring a new staff just isn't possible because the money isn't there.

Money woes can be the only reason Hawkins will be back on the sidelines next year. His current team is 3-8 as it will close out the season at 8-3 Nebraska. A closer look at the Hawkins' era in Boulder is not pretty.

• Overall: 16-32
• Home: 13-11
• Road: 2-18
• Neutral: 1-3
• Big 12: 10-21
• Non-conference: 6-11
• Ranked teams: 3-11

What does all this mean? Colorado will remain meaningless nationally and in the Big 12. The Buffaloes have become a team you schedule for homecoming.

Anything for a win

Dan Hawkins is desperate these days. The Buffaloes are 0-2 (when many thought they'd be 2-0 right now). Of course, this was planned well before last week's program-embarrassing loss at Toledo, but CU is trying to channel some of the success of the 1930s.

Hawkins' team is wearing 1937 Colorado Buffaloes throwback uniforms when his 2009 team takes on Wyoming on Saturday during Legacy Day in Boulder. The Buffs will don the jersey of that era, gold in color with black numbers, along with silver pants. I love when teams do this, especially paying homage to a specific time in their history. Not a bad year in CU history. The Buffs went 8-0 that season.

Nice tribute and Colorado should finally get that first win of the season.

Of course, you can buy this NIKE jersey.

Observations from Saturday's games (Sept. 12)

Another great Saturday of College Football. Upsets, close calls and breakout performances. Oh yea, how much longer can Notre Dame officials think everything is OK with Charlie Weis?

So let's get to 'Eer's observations.

1. "How much did I pay for that?" At least that's what I think T. Boone Pickens is saying about Oklahoma State's stunning 45-35 loss to Houston, just one week after beating Georgia and moving to No. 5 in the polls. Houston is a decent Conference USA squad, but this is the early favorite to be the biggest upset of 2009.

2. Whew!! This goes for Wiconsin, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and especially Florida State. But for those who didn't watch last Monday's FSU-Miami game you may not truly understand why the Seminoles were primed for an upset Saturday. After the hard-hitting affair with the Canes, FSU had to be worn out today.

3. Viva LeFevour. Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour is not a household name, but the big QB may be a first- or second-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Mid-American Conference's best player led the Chippewas to a big upset of Michigan State on the road. Don't overlook LeFevour or CMU this fall.

4. Slick Rick. Did you see that awkward halftime interview between Erin Andrews and UCLA's Rick Neuheisel. Did he actually say, "How you doin?" He's either real smooth or slimier than Lane Kiffin. Slick got the win, though, while Tennessee fans are wondering about Lane.

5. What can Brown do for you? QB Jarrett Brown is doing everything he can to help WVU fans forget Pat White. The senior threw for a career-high 334 yards and four touchdowns as the Mountaineers exacted a bit of revenge with a 35-20 victory over East Carolina. Now the Mountaineers have to solve the turnover issue to be a legitimate Big East contender.

6. Boulder, we've got a problem. And his name is Dan Hawkins. The man who once ranted "It's Division I football!!!!!", should consider finding a Div. I quarterback. Otherwise he won't be coaching Division I football any more. Are there any openings in Colorado's intramural program?

7. Not so offensive. What little I've watch of South Carolina-Georgia one thing is clear ... both teams can play a little offense. After managing just seven points apiece last week, each SEC team has eclipsed 26 points in the third quarter.

8. LeSean who? Pitt doesn't look like it will miss LeSean McCoy quite as much as many feared. Dion Lewis has stepped right in and played extremely well again Saturday, rushing for 190 yards in a 54-27 victory at Buffalo. His presence is also taking pressure off the much-criticized QB Bill Stull.

9. Nice rebound. The ACC went 9-1 this weekend after an embarrassing 5-7 last week. Poor Virginia and Al Groh. However, North Carolina, Wake and Maryland were all lucky, so 'Eer still believes the ACC is the worst BCS conference.

10. Nice first half. Despite what happens in the second half, Ohio State has played USC better than 'Eer expected. Just hope 'Eye has sobered up enough to enjoy the game.

Podcast: Episode 39

The Big Ten has two big games this weekend that could help enhance its image. First, of course, is Ohio State's shot at redemption against USC at Ohio Stadium. Will the atmosphere of a night game at the Shoe be enough to rattle the freshman QB Matt Barkley? Then there is Michigan's shot at Notre Dame. Both teams need this win in the worst way, but the Irish have more experience, and probably a lot more riding on this game. We also look at the biggest surprises and disappointments from Week 1 (Can you say Iowa and Oregon?), as well as which coach's seat just got a little hotter (Hint: Al Groh).

For our friends on Facebook who want to hear the podcast, just click here.

WVU - Colorado Live Blog

Colorado FG is good and the Buffs win 17-14. WVU missed a lot of chances in this game with penalties, poor clock management, drops and missing a wide open player on a trick play. And WVU really outplayed Colorado in the second half.

Very good win for Colorado. I still don't think the Buffs are going to be consistent enough to do much in the Big 12, but one upset and you're in the thick of it in the Big 12 North.

Wow has WVU been bad on short yardage tonight. They lined up in the I finally, but still looked confused. Going for the FG is the right call here. WOW and it's off the upright. Devastating blow to WVU. Should have been up 7 and are now in trouble.

Going to OT. Neither team was particularly impressive on their final drive. WVU's clock management was a head scratcher.

- 7:59 Potentially huge turn as WVU blows the wipe open WR pass, when the WR (third-string QB) chucks a duck about 10 yards short. That's just unlucky. I'm sure that kid has made that throw 20 times in practice. Follow that up with a chop block and WVU's back to midfield. WVU gets backed up too far and has to punt. Does anybody else think WVU gives away their playcall with their line splits? Maybe it's my imagination.

Is Craig James, um, mentally disabled? Between him laughing and Jesse Palmer going "Woooo! Wooot! Woo!" Chris Fowler must be going insane.

- 4:49 3rd quarter: Great run by White to tie it at 14-14. If WVU can mount any kind of passing threat, man they're going to be difficult to stop. How screwed was that safety at about the 15-yard line? He was in no man's land with White.

- 9:33 3rd quarter: nice job by WVU to keep the Buffs pinned and get good field position. Looks like WVU could tie it up here. wow. never mind. stopped on 4th and 1. Who taught pat White how to run the sneak? Get your butt down and drive!


- If you had asked before the game, who will be the best vastly undersized, incredibly quick running back on the field, of course you would have answered Noel Devine. Instead, it's been Colorado freshman Rodney Stewart. A native of scenic Columbus, Ohio, where he played at City League power Brookhaven. Stewart's got 75 yards on about 12 carries and is outplaying last year's recruiting ranking sensation and fellow freshman Durel Scott. Scott was the top-ranked back in the country. Stewart couldn't get offers from anybody. but this is why little backs are so great in the spread. In the I-formation, most defenders know approximately where a back is headed. in the spread, a real short guy can be hard to find.

Well, live second half blogging as I just got home.

From what I saw in the second quarter, looks like the Buffs have moved the ball pretty easily while WVU is killing itself with drops and penalties.