Mauled in Manhattan

Now I ain't Humpty Dumpty chump
see I ain't fallin, you can go call in
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Try to knock me off you never see another day again...

Props and Drops from this weekend’s Buffs’ loss to the K-State Wildcats and the Broncos’ BYE week:

***DROPS: That’s your Denver Broncos in last place in the AFC West. And they didn’t even play! The Chiefs suddenly look formidable, as they swooped past the bumbling Bengals this weekend. The Chargers, they’re playing like, well, the Chargers.

***PROPS: Buff RB Hugh Charles posted a career best 177 yards on the ground in Manhattan. The senior’s fourth straight 100+ game was easily his best effort of the year, as he hit the holes hard and followed his blocks. Charles has developed into a solid late round draft pick as he’s become a north-south bruiser to accompany his quick lateral moves. His pass catching abilities will also catch the eye of NFL scouts.

***DROPS: Cody Hawkins was lauded the last few weeks for his calculated and workmanlike play, but versus the Cats, he forced the issue and it resulted in a horrible day. Three picks went along with his 19 for 40 performance as he completely misread the defense on several occasions. The o-line didn’t do him any favors as the KSU front generated a steady rush that further muddied the freshman QBs’ decisions.

***PROPS: That was Jay Cutler on the sideline of the Vandy-Georgia game. Maybe a return to the college atmosphere (read: get drunk, poke out some coeds) will loosen Cutler up post-BYE week. Maybe he should of brought the Donk d-line with him too.

***DROPS: CU coach Dan Hawkins didn’t put his team in the most favorable circumstances with his 4th down gambling. Late in the 2nd quarter, CU faces a short 4th down. A punt would’ve pinned the Cats back, and they probably would’ve run out the clock as CU would be down only a TD at half. Hawk decides to go for it, misses on a horrible call and the Cats take over. A quick few plays results in a field goal and a 10 point lead and, more importantly, the momentum in the 2nd half. K-State coach Ron Prince (no relation to the singer) has had Hawkins’ number in both their meetings thus far, and Hawkins makes it easier for him with the questionable 4th down decisions