Buffaloes have traveled a rough road to Florida State

Sporting News, The, Sept 22, 2003 by Artie Gigantino

Colorado had better load up Ralphie and ship him to Tallahassee for Saturday's tussle with Florida State. If the Buffs can't run the ball mad be more physical, they have no shot at winning this one. Uncle Bobby Bowden has gone from the preacher with a smile who never met a hand he wouldn't shake to a grim, stern-faced, old-fashioned ball coach. The results so far are good, with the 'Noles 3-0. And they have their own Ralphie in the backfield in 248-pound tailback Greg Jones.

Colorado's athletic director must not like Gary Barnett. The Buffs have managed a 2-1 record against Colorado State, UCLA and Washington State. After Florida State puts 21 on the board in the first quarter, Colorado will be 2-2 entering Big 12 play.

* Meanwhile, Minnesota's A.D. must love Glen Mason. The Gophers are 3-0 after playing a schedule of 1-2 Tulsa, 1-2 Troy State and 1-2 Ohio--University, not State. This week they get to beat up on 0-3 Louisiana-Lafayette. But after that, the Gophs will go to Unhappy Valley, where they will earn their first defeat at the hands of JoePa and the boys.

* After its embarrassment in the Really Big House, Notre Dame needs to re-evaluate what it is doing on offense; it currently ranks 116th nationally. How about going back to running the ball all the time? No one on this team is capable of completing a forward pass, so why try? This weekend's game against Michigan State is a must-win. The upcoming schedule is brutal--at Purdue, at Pitt, vs. USC, at Boston College, vs. Uncle Bobby and the 'Noles--all losable games. The Spartans aren't exactly setting the football world on fire. The Irish will win, but narrowly, in a boring game.

* Upset of the week: Bowling Green will beat Ohio State in Columbus. Falcons quarterback Josh Harris and the nation's top-ranked offense will have a huge day. Ohio State's Craig Krenzel will have an awful day, the Horseshoe will be silent, and instead of squeaking by, the Buckeyes finally will lose a close one.

* I'm begging Oregon to not wear those hideous yellow outfits when Michigan visits. The green is bad enough, but can you imagine the yellow unis playing against the Wolverines' helmets? Fans at the game and at home will need Men in Black sunglasses.

Artie Gigantino is an analyst for FOX Sports.