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BOULDER, Colo. -- By his estimation, Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre allowed his team to fully savor its first poll appearance since 2005 for five good seconds. Then, it was right back to work.In just two months, the No. 21 Buffaloes have gone from overlooked to ranked, and their coach from on the hot seat to quite a hot streak.No time to enjoy the moment, though. Not with the Buffaloes (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12) traveling to Southern California (2-3, 1-2) on Saturday. This just may be the best matchup possible to keep their focus. The Buffs are 0-10 all-time against the Trojans.Being ranked 21st doesnt give you seven extra points when you go out there on the field to start, said senior quarterback Sefo Liufau, whos missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Its an honor, but we still have a lot of work to do. We believe we have a lot more work to be done.Granted, MacIntyre wanted his player to relish the programs first national ranking since Nov. 6, 2005, but not get too carried away.It means nothing Saturday. We have to keep doing this week after week after week, said MacIntyre, whose team leads the South Division and is looking for its first bowl appearance since 2007. Its whats got us here, our work ethic and believing in Colorado football. They have to keep doing that exact same thing. I think its nice for those young men, for as hard as theyve worked, to be acknowledged for something. But its just a blip right now.Still, its a measure of validation for MacIntyre that his program is on the right track. His job appeared in jeopardy heading into this season after going 10-27 during his first three seasons in Boulder.To really build a program, build it with integrity and build it with character and develop the type of young men you want to develop and stabilize it with a foundation for years to come, it definitely takes a while, said MacIntyre, who turned around the San Jose State program before arriving at Colorado. You cant build a house overnight and have a bad foundation because it falls apart. It definitely takes time to do that.Heres an illustration of how far the Buffaloes have traveled: They can sidestep some big injuries. Since Liufau, the schools all-time leading passer, hurt his ankle at Michigan, freshman Steven Montez has stepped in and they havent missed a beat. Montez has guided the Buffaloes to wins at Oregon and last week against Oregon State.That first day (Montez) was told he was going to play, you could see a fire lit in him. He was more amped up, junior receiver Shay Fields said. He was leading the offense, getting the (offensive) line huddled up, getting (on) the receivers, especially when we had bad practices, he would get on us -- just like Sefo. He was that leader away from our original leader.With Liufau on the mend, the team has a dilemma: Go with him or keep riding the hot hand of Montez. It will be a game-time decision, even if Liufau said he was 100 percent after practice Tuesday.I dont want to put him out there if hes not fully ready to go, MacIntyre said.This trip to Los Angeles will be a homecoming of sorts since many Colorado players hail from the area. Fields grew up a USC fan and as a kid proudly wore a Trojans jersey featuring Reggie Bushs number. So did fellow receiver Bryce Bobo, whos well aware of his teams past struggles against Southern Cal. Hes also well aware that not many are taking the Buffaloes all that seriously, considering theyre a 4 1/2-point underdog this weekend.We worked hard to get to the point where we are right now, said Bobo, who was born in Pasadena, California. Regardless of if theyre saying, `Oh, really, Colorado? and stuff like that, we have playmakers on this team and thats what were here to show the nation.---Follow Pat Graham on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pgraham34. Cheap Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Wholesale Buccaneers Jerseys . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . http://www.cheapbuccaneersjerseyselite.com/ . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. 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Wales star Jamie Roberts has delivered a damning verdict on his performance against opening autumn opponents Australia and says he fully respected head coach Rob Howleys decision to drop him.Roberts has been restored to the Wales midfield for Saturdays Principality Stadium appointment with Japan, when he will win an 85th cap and extend a 45-Test midfield partnership with fellow British and Irish Lion Jonathan Davies.And the 30-year-old Harlequins centre is determined to bounce back after paying a hefty and unfamiliar price for Wales 32-8, five-try Wallabies defeat earlier this month by losing his place when they took on -- and beat -- Argentina six days ago.I could think of a few four-letter expletives to describe how I played against Australia, Roberts said. The hardest thing was probably trying to find a reason why, but it was nothing more and nothing less than a bad day at the office.I pride myself on consistency of performance, especially defensively, but it was a disappointing day personally and for the side. I certainly didnt deserve to play last weekend.Having spoken to Rob after the Australia game, I fully respected his decision. Its the nature of what we do. Its a competitive squad here, and we know if we dont perform, you dont deserve to keep the jersey.So I did a bit of soul-searching and certainly had a few sleepless nights, but you learn from it and I am ready and raring to go again this weekend.I walked off the pitch against Australia with a big inkling that I was going to be dropped. I made mistakes -- mistakes I dont normally make -- and that was the hardest thing was trying to find the reason why.I have been playing well this season and came into the camp with confidence. I had a poor performance. I am not over-thinking it.The competition in the squad is strong, esppecially at centre, and if you dont play well you dont deserve to keep the jersey.ddddddddddddThat is what drives us all forward, and hopefully thats what will drive me forward this week with a point to prove. Thats what Test rugby is about, and we are all in a better place for it.Roberts was an unused replacement last weekend as Wales edged out the Pumas 24-20, but he has dismissed any notion of Japans Cardiff visit providing him with an opportunity for redemption.Its not a shot at redemption -- it would be selfish to say that -- its about Wales winning and playing my part in that, he added. You learn from it. It has given me a new perspective, given me a kick up the backside, which I hope, when I look back on this season, that I needed. That is the way I am treating it.Wales have beaten Japan eight times in nine Tests, and that domination should continue with something to spare on Saturday, building further momentum ahead of next weeks autumn finale against South Africa.And one of the highlights could be an appearance off the bench by 18-year-old uncapped Ospreys wing Keelan Giles, whose devastating finishing ability and blistering pace have already seen him being mentioned in the same breath as Wales record try-scorer Shane Williams.I cant remember a guy as evasive as Keelan since Shane Williams, said Roberts, continuing the theme. We have had a drill in training when were put up one on one with Keelan, and it has been quite embarrassing.He is a frightening prospect, and I hope he gets a chance to come on and show his worth and show his potential. He is a humble lad and he knows this is a big opportunity for him. He has the potential to cause carnage. ' ' '