For the Colorado Buffaloes, the last four years have been as rocky as their state’s namesake.

Colorado has won only 16 of its past 48 games and has not had a winning season since 2005.

The 2009 season has been equally tumultuous as the chronically inconsistent Buffaloes stumbled out to a 2-6 start.

But after a surprising 35-34 road victory over Texas A&M last weekend, Colorado has started to put some teams around the league on the lookout.

“You can’t overlook them,” said Iowa State senior linebacker Jesse Smith. “I think some teams have overlooked them this year and they have come up on the winning side.”

Colorado heads into Ames on Saturday riding high from a win in which the Buffaloes, who rank last in the Big 12 in total yards (261.2), compiled 437 yards to help fuel a 10-point fourth quarter comeback against the Aggies.

“It was a great day Saturday, and I think we showed tremendous resolve and did a great job coming back,” Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said at his weekly press conference Tuesday.

At the forefront of the Colorado offense last Saturday was quarterback Tyler Hansen. Despite being sacked eight times, Hansen threw for 271 yards and led the Buffaloes on a 61-yard scoring drive in the game’s final minutes, which ended with a 22-yard, game winning touchdown pass to tight end Patrick Devenny.

“It was great to see Tyler kind of mature for the first time since he’s been here,” Hawkins said. “He got in a groove and played with a little confidence and played like the game was really his.”

And Hansen has finally been allowed time to settle into that groove.

With a quarterback controversy already brewing at the onset of the season, the oft-criticized junior Cody Hawkins, son of coach Hawkins, was given the reins of the offense to start the year. Hawkins, who started 10 games last season, struggled to maintain any consistency and by week six, Hansen was given the go-ahead.

Hansen’s season debut was a memorable one. He led the Colorado to a surprising upset over Kansas. That high lasted only a week, however, after Hansen was pulled in the first half against Kansas State after throwing for only 89 yards. Hansen rebounded in his last two starts, completing 42 passes for 461 yards.

“He’s going to be a great quarterback,” said Iowa State defensive coordinator Wally Burnham. “He’s got a strong arm. He’s not always accurate, because he’s been sacked and moved a round a bit. But if you give him time, he can throw the football. He’s not a running quarterback, but he can find the open spots on the field.”

While the Cyclone defense tries to keep Hansen and company under control, the struggling Iowa State offense, which is averaging nine points in its last three games, will attempt to re-establish its lost rhythm against a strong Colorado secondary.

“Defensively, we think their secondary is amazing,” said Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads. “And with a group of receivers that aren’t fast or athletic that is always a concern to us.”

At the heart of the Buffalo secondary is junior defensive end Marquez Herrod, who after totaling four sacks in his sophomore year has totaled five this season — ninth best in the Big 12.

“He is kind of light to be a Big 12 defensive end, but he uses his speed and quickness very well,” said offensive coordinator Tom Herman. “In the run game he can wreak havoc because he so fast and quick.”

Iowa State’s run game is in need of a turnaround against Colorado after the Cyclones notched only 54 yards on the ground in their 34-8 loss last week against No. 17 Oklahoma State. With the running game at a relative standstill, the Cyclones were forced to pass, but three interceptions brought any hopes of staying with the Cowboys to a quick demise.

The recent struggles of the offense have matched the Cyclones’ recent downturn as Iowa State has dropped its last two games by a combined score of 69-18. With only two games left and the Cyclones sitting at 5-5, the pressure is on for the offense to find the consistency that has been lacking in recent weeks.

“We’re not good enough to play our B game against anybody in this conference and expect to win,” Herman said. “I think our rhythm is starting to come back, at least in practice. Tuesday was probably one of the best practices we’ve had since we’ve been here.”

Saturday’s game is a crucial date for both teams. Iowa State has only two more opportunities at gaining bowl eligibility with win number six, while Colorado is aiming to put together back-to-back wins for the first time this season and keep its slim hopes of finishing 6-6 alive.

“Our backs are still against the wall and [the Cyclones] are trying to get bowl-eligible,” Hawkins said. “A lot of things are on the line for both football teams. 

Also on the line is the chance for Iowa State’s senior class to end their home careers with a victory as Saturday marks the Cyclones’ final home game of the year.

With Iowa State’s bowl hopes hanging in the balance, Rhoads, who played defensive back for Missouri Western in the late 1980s, does not want his seniors’ final season to end the way his did.

Missouri Western began the 1988 season 4-1 and had its sights set on the postseason. But the Griffons would go on to finish the year on a disappointing 5-6 — one win shy of making the playoffs.

“Knowing how empty of a feeling that is, you want to send [the seniors] out in a celebratory mode and in a winning fashion,” Rhoads said.