The bad defeat of the CU Buffs team against the Air Force reminds us that Pac-12 football is bad football

BOULDER – After watching Air Force hit the CU buffalo's tail, not to mention their undefeated record in the wild blue nature, here is a legitimate question:

How in the world is the Pac-12 recognized as a Power Five football conference?

"We considered that as a state championship game because they beat CSU and we beat them. All we have to do, is to beat CSU and win the state, "said Air Force quarterback, DJ Hammond said Saturday, after that the Falcons moved away from Folsom Field with a 30-23 win.

Yes, he needed overtime, as well as an extra point blocked by Colorado Colorado kicker James Stefanou in the fourth quarter, for Air Force to win.

But do not be deceived. The Zoomies were the best team. The attack on them rushes to an average of 5.6 yards per shot, hitting sand between the teeth of the big and bad Buffs, from opening attack take to Kadin Remsberg's 25-yard run to the winning score.

And here's the real headache: the phrase Air Force Football has long been considered a bit of an oxymoron because these Falcons do not fly. Nevertheless … despite the fact that Hammond did not throw often, his dozen attempts made as many as 43 passes from his CU counterpart, Steven Montez, who fell asleep for a good part of the match.

"I have to do a better job," said Montez, "I can not seem lethargic like that."

With the kickoff at 11 am, were the Buffs guilty of leaving the bed with a moving hangover after beating Nebraska just seven days earlier?

"What a difference a week makes, no?" Shrugged, Colorado coach Mel Tucker.

Seven days ago, Tucker could have been elected senator in his new state of origin. We are now back on the board, trying to understand why his buffs fell into a bad habit of slow starts that they managed to defeat Colorado State and Nebraska.

"Eliminate bad football, that's what we have to do," Tucker said.

Well, here's the biggest truth: the buffs are not good enough to beat the odds and win three high-intensity games in a row. What cost Colorado against Air Force was not so much an emotional disappointment as a lack of talent.

A CU offensive line that failed to open the holes for the half-founders Alex Fontenot and Jaren Mangham was also guilty of Montez's uneven protection. The poor eye discipline of this defensive backfield, especially against the assists that have burned the Buffs many times, seems to suggest that Tucker could fall asleep at least until the return of safety, Aaron Maddox , which should miss a month after suffering a decline in performance. -the laceration against the Falcons.

We will be happy not to salute a performance inspired by the Falcons, who never stopped blinking, even when the rally of CU 13-3 in the fourth quarter put the game in overtime. That victory was so cool for the Mountain West and all the little guys that the playoff committee was unaware that it almost conjured up the smile of Air Force coach Troy Calhoun, who was putting on his cranky pants before he surrendered. at work every morning.

"It's a good win, but it's just a win," said Calhoun, who coaches better than any football coach on this side of New England, Bill Belichick.

So let us be the jubilant, coach. The Zoomies once again exposed Pac-12 football to the joke it has become.

Since the final of four national championships had been adopted before the 2014 season, the Pac-12 has only qualified one team for the semi-finals twice and the only win of this grand stage has been won by Oregon almost five years ago.

And guess what? It seems that the conference will be excluded from the playoffs this season.

"Just to beat a Power Five team is really great for the program," said Hammond.

While Hammond and his teammates fought over the Folsom turf after the Air Force defense stopped CU on overtime shots, the Falcons crushed against the stereotypes of the Mountain West players are clearly lower than the Buffs or most excited athletes in the Pac-12.