Tag: Arizona Wildcats football

Oklahoma Sooners at No. 12 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll

The Oklahoma Sooners remained at No. 12 while Oklahoma State dropped a couple of spots after championship weekend.

As championship weekend played out on Saturday, Oklahoma’s hopes of landing in a New Year’s Six bowl were dashed. They weren’t able to move up any higher in the College Football Playoff rankings.

They also remained at No. 12 in the latest US LBM Coaches poll after the conference title games played out.

The group of teams ranked nine through 13 remained in the same spots. Missouri was No. 9, followed by Penn State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and LSU.

After their Big 12 title blowout of Oklahoma State, the Texas Longhorns moved up three spots into a tie for No. 4 with the Alabama Crimson Tide, who jumped up four spots after their win over Georgia. The Bulldogs fell to No. 6 after their SEC title loss.

Michigan, Washington, and Florida State each moved up one spot, with the Wolverines taking over the No. 1 spot in the nation.

Oklahoma State, after losing by 28, fell out of the top 20 to No. 21 behind SMU and Liberty, who won their conference title games. The Liberty Flames completed an undefeated season and earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl against the Oregon Ducks.

For the Sooners, the No. 12 finish marks a strong rebound season for Brent Venables and his program after their 6-7 season a year ago. Still, it could have been better had Oklahoma taken better care of the ball in losses to Kansas and the Cowboys.

The Sooners’ bowl opponent, the Arizona Wildcats, moved up one spot to No. 14 in the latest poll. The Wildcats provide an intriguing opponent with an offense and defense that rank in the top 25 in both scoring offense and scoring defense.

If Oklahoma can complete the season with a win in the Alamo Bowl, the Sooners will likely go into the 2024 season inside the top 25.

Here is the full US LBM Coaches Poll.

Rank Team Record Points Change
1 Michigan 13-0 1535 (51) +1
2 Washington 13-0 1,482 (8) +1
3 Florida State 13-0 1358 +1
4 (tie) Texas 12-1 1351 +3
4 (tie) Alabama 12-1 1351 +4
6 Georgia 12-1 1275 -5
7 Ohio State 11-1 1187 –1
8 Oregon 11-2 1092 -3
9 Missouri 10-2 1023 –
10 Penn State 10-2 952 –
11 Ole Miss 10-2 932 –
12 Oklahoma 10-2 898 –
13 LSU 9-3 796 –
14 Arizona 9-3 642 +1
15 Louisville 10-3 642 -1
16 Notre Dame 9-3 633 –
17 Iowa 10-3 426 –
18 North Carolina State 9-3 423 +2
19 SMU 11-2 375 +5
20 Liberty 13-0 315 +2
21 Oklahoma State 9-4 299 -2
22 Oregon State 8-4 295 -1
23 Tennessee 8-4 226 –
24 Tulane 11-2 139 -6
25 James Madison 11-1 114 –

Others Receiving Votes

Clemson 107; Troy 66; Kansas State 64; Utah 36; Kansas 17; West Virginia 8; Miami (OH) 8; Toledo 7; Boise State 7; San Jose State 3; New Mexico State 1

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Social media reacts to Sooners’ New Year’s Six snub, bowl destination

The Oklahoma Sooners missed out on a New Year’s Six bowl and will instead be playing in the Alamo Bowl and here’s how social media reacted.

When the Oklahoma Sooners’ Red River Rivals earned a spot in the College Football Playoff, there was a belief that OU’s win over the No. 3 Texas Longhorns might push them into a New Year’s Six Bowl.

It didn’t work out that way. The College Football Playoff committee opted to include Ole Miss, Missouri, and Penn State, teams that were just ahead of the Sooners in the final playoff rankings.

The Sooners have a worthwhile resume with wins over the Big 12 champion, Texas, and the AAC champion, SMU. But it was losses to Kansas and Oklahoma State that pushed the Sooners to the background and into the Alamo Bowl.

The Sooners and Wildcats provide an intriguing matchup between an outgoing and incoming member of the Big 12. Arizona ranks in the top 25 nationally in scoring offense and defense.

Though it may not be the bowl game everyone hoped for, it’s still a matchup that could be fantastic.

Here’s how social media reacted to the Alamo Bowl placement.

Big 12 Bowl Projections: Sooners to face incoming and ascending Big 12 squad in Bowl Season

The Oklahoma Sooners will play a future Big 12 member in the latest Bowl Projections from USA TODAY Sports.

The regular season is over, and all that awaits before knowing OU’s bowl destination is championship weekend. The Oklahoma Sooners just missed out on the Big 12 title game. It’s the third season in a row that the Sooners won’t play for the conference title.

Things are improving at Oklahoma, but after running the Big 12 to the tune of 14 conference championships, it stings a bit not to be able to play for one more.

Still, 10-2 is better than 6-6. The Sooners are showing they’re a program on the right track as they get ready for the SEC. Recruiting is better on both sides of the ball and in 2023, we began to see glimpses of Brent Venables’ recruiting classes impacting the game.

In Oklahoma’s bowl game, we’ll likely get to see more of the youth the Sooners have added since Brent Venables’ arrival. Who will they play? Let’s take a look at the latest Big 12 Bowl Projections via USA TODAY Sports.

Five takeaways from Colorado’s heartbreaking loss to Arizona

Following their loss to Arizona, the Buffs must absorb another round of learning lessons

That one hurt for the Colorado Buffaloes and their fans.

Despite not trailing once for the entire game on Saturday, Arizona kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to leave Folsom Field with a 34-31 win.

CU got a much better performance from its offense and special teams, but past issues resurfaced on the defensive side of the ball. While it’s hard to see it through after such a deflating loss, this team is much improved from where it sat last season. However, Colorado players and coaches alike are still learning how to win at this level.

Here are my takeaways from Colorado’s senior day loss:

Social media reacts to Colorado’s fourth straight loss

How are you feeling after another heartbreaker at home?

While the past month-plus has certainly been frustrating for all involved, it’s important to look big picture when examining the 2023 Buffs. They’re now 4-6 following Saturday’s 34-31 loss to Arizona, but head coach Deion Sanders sees his Colorado football program moving in the right direction.

Still, the negatives must also be mentioned. Colorado was again plagued by careless penalties, missed tackles and a few questionable play calls in another one-score loss at home.

With bowl eligibility still up for grabs, the Buffaloes close their regular season with two final road games in a pair of tough environments.

Here’s how social media reacted to Colorado’s fourth straight loss:

WATCH: Shedeur Sanders scrambles for 16-yard touchdown vs. Arizona

WATCH: Shedeur Sanders took off for his fourth rushing TD of the season

When necessary, Shedeur Sanders isn’t afraid to make things happen with his legs.

Early in the first quarter of Colorado’s home finale against Arizona, the junior quarterback took advantage of some open grass and rushed in a 16-yard touchdown. The score, Sanders’ fourth on the ground this season, put Colorado up 7-0 following the PAT.

Arizona, however, answered on the ensuing drive with an 11-yard rushing TD by DJ Williams to tie the game. Former Buff Montana Lemonious-Craig also hauled in a 31-yard pass that brought the Wildcats into CU territory

Check out Sanders’ TD run below followed by some of the best social media reactions:

LOOK: Colorado wearing special helmets for Military Appreciation Day

LOOK: Colorado is wearing special helmets for Military Appreciation Day

In honor of Military Appreciation Day, the CU Buffs are wearing special helmets for their home finale against Arizona on Saturday. It may not be noticeable on television, but the black helmets feature a silver and dark gray American flag inside the CU logo.

Colorado will be sporting gray pants, gray jerseys and white socks, similar to what was worn earlier this season against USC.

It’s also senior day at Folsom Field. The Buffs are expected to honor 14 seniors prior to the game, per Adam Munsterteiger.

Kickoff between the 4-5 Buffs and the 6-3 Wildcats is set for noon MT on the Pac-12 Network. You can also stream the game on fuboTV.

Check out the unique American flag helmets below, courtesy of Malaina Humphreys:

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Tony’s Take: Predicting the final score of Colorado-Arizona

Will the Buffaloes get it done on senior day?

It’s time for Colorado to return to the win column. Since starting the season 4-2, the Buffs have dropped three consecutive games and three straight at home as well. CU hasn’t lost four straight in Boulder since 2015, but I predict the losing streak will stop at three.

Entering the game at 6-3 with nothing but single-score losses to its name, Arizona is a good football team. The Wildcats are led by freshman quarterback Noah Fifita, who has burst onto the scene in his second year with the team. However, it’s now personal for Colorado after Wildcats defensive lineman Taylor Upshaw talked some smack to Shedeur Sanders via Instagram.

We have seen glimpses of a dominant football team this year and I believe Colorado will put forth another strong effort on senior day.

Final score prediction: Colorado 28, Arizona 24.

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Arizona at Colorado: Stream, injury report, broadcast info for Saturday

Where will you be watching Colorado’s home finale?

No team wants to close its home slate on a four-game losing streak.

Mainly due to playing inconsistent football, Colorado hasn’t won at Folsom Field since Week 3, but the 4-5 Buffs will get one final chance to right ship in Boulder this year with Arizona on tap for Saturday.

Arizona, like Colorado, has been one of the Pac-12’s better stories this season. Entering Week 11, the Wildcats are 6-3 and bowl-eligible for the first time since 2017. Head coach Jedd Fisch’s squad excels up front defensively and is coming off three straight wins over Washington State, Oregon State and UCLA.

Keep reading for information on how to watch Colorado’s home finale.

Colorado football: Five keys to taming the Wildcats

Here’s how Colorado can close its home slate with a victory:

After starting the season with two straight home wins, the Colorado Buffaloes have since dropped their last three at Folsom ahead of Saturday’s home finale against Arizona.

For as good of a season as the Wildcats have had, they’ve flown under the radar. With a record of 6-3, Arizona has turned the corner in the last season of the Pac-12 and could be a thorn in the side of the Buffaloes in the new-look Big 12. Still, I am confident that the Buffs can steal one from the Cats.

Here are five keys to Colorado closing its 2023 home slate with a senior day victory: