-11.5
I just dont see colo st having a prayer in this game.
I just dont see colo st having a prayer in this game.
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What do you think about the O/u in this one.... Anybody know how bad Colo St. really isComment -
My prediction(worthless) 36-27 BuffsComment -
johnny guild
Sunday, August 31, 2008 7:30 PM EST.Colorado State Rams (0-0) vs. Colorado Buffaloes (0-0)
Invesco Field at Mile High - Denver, Colorado
The Buffaloes are the better team. However, Colorado State has lost three of last 4 games played against Colorado each year since 2004, but all have been decided by 4-points or less. Take the dog in this State rivalry. The underdog is 10-2 against the spread in the last 12 meetings.
Colorado State Rams + 11Comment -
This game is been tight for the last few years last 6 games decided by 25 points... I think colorado wins (you would think big) but I took colorado moneyline parlayed with louisville. in a rivalry game i usually take the points.Comment -
OverComment -
i didnt play it, but i really like the over in this one as well. Any time a team is laying double digit points, and the o/u is under 60 (its 56) i lean over. Btw, line dropping to -11.Comment -
I've lost more money listening to Johnny Guild than you could shake a stick at. I have no clue on this game, but It sounds and looks to be a CU blowoutComment -
Only thing is Langs 10 dimer is CU (scares me......) He did do well yesterday though, shockingly.Comment -
Originally posted by nysmoneyman
I believe this stat will change to 10-3 after tonight. 2 TD victory.Comment -
ill just be sittin here watchin the game on the internet. i dont know diddly squat about these teamsComment -
Gl Chi GuyComment -
The Colorado Buffaloes (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) open their 119th season of intercollegiate football this Sunday, August 31, against the in-state rival Colorado State Rams (0-0, 0-0 Mountain West) in the Qwest Rocky Mountain Showdown at Invesco Field at Mile High
This is the ninth meeting between the two rivals in Denver; the first eight were split.
The Buffs are 9-5 against intra-state rival Colorado State when the Rams have been the opposition in the season opener. Twelve of those games have been since 1985.
Aug. 31, 2002 #—Colorado State L 14-19
Aug. 30, 2003 #—Colorado State (N) W 42-35
Sept. 4, 2004 COLORADO STATE (N) W 27-24
Sept. 3, 2005 COLORADO STATE W 31-28
Sept. 2, 2006 #—Colorado State L 10-14
Sept. 1, 2007 #—Colorado State (OT) W 31-28
25 The number of points the last seven games in the series have been decided by
Today, Dan Hawkins' Buffs are favored by 11 points. Given the fact that the Rams have a new coach, a new quarterback and a new system, it's by no means a generous spread.
The wild card here is the rivalry aspect. The Rams, who have always played this game with a chip on their shoulder, will bring an extra-large helping of animosity into today's contest. The ever-present feeling of being the "little brother" in this in-state rivalry was re-emphasized Friday when Colorado decided to play next year's game in Boulder.
For Colorado, today's game is about more than the CU-CSU series. It's about the big picture, about sending a message to the state's college football fans that CU is moving forward.
The Buffs don't need just a win today.
They need a decisive victory if they are indeed serious about sending that type of message.
By Neill Woelk
Bulletin board material is the last thing needed in a powder keg football rivalry such as the Colorado-Colorado State series.
It's gotten downright ugly the past two days with athletic directors giving each other the cold shoulder at a Friday kickoff luncheon and then dueling via press releases later in the day announcing where future games will be played.
Both schools opted to host the series on their respective campuses, in Boulder next year and in Fort Collins in 2010, creating the likelihood that today's battle for the Governor's Cup could be the end of the series on neutral ground for the foreseeable future. It might be the beginning of the end, period.
CSU first-year head coach Steve Fairchild, a former CSU quarterback himself,
brings an experienced offensive line, a future pro at tight end in Kory Sperry and two strong running backs in Johnson and Kyle Bell to town. Bell carried the ball 40 times for 135 yards in a 31-28 overtime loss to the Buffs last season.
Yet, senior quarterback Billy Farris will be making the first start of his career and is a virtual unknown in the college football world. Farris has thrown 39 passes in his four previous years on the roster. Farris last started a game as a senior at
Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge, La., (less than 13
miles from the LSU campus) in November of 2003.
First-year CSU head coach Steve Fairchild spent the past two years as Buffalo Bill's offensive coordinator, and CU's defensive staff spent hours breaking down Bills film.
Every second of first-year starter Billy Ferris' brief appearances under center have been memorized. The Buffs understand what Kyle Bell and Gartrell Johnson are capable of behind a veteran offensive line.
But Sperry is the player CU's defense must contain, whether he's opening up holes in the run game or catching passes in the secondary.
"We're an experienced line with a premiere tight end and two good backs. We're a team that should be able to run the football," Fairchild warns. "We're a team that's talented and young at wide receiver. We're going to grow there, along with our quarterback."
CU will unveil its version of the no-huddle offense, college football's hottest trend. The Buffs have been practicing the system since spring ball and have put up gaudy numbers in scrimmages against their teammates on defense.
CU SQB Hawkins will be making his 14th consecutive start after an up-and-down year last season. The biggest difference for him from a year ago is knowing what to expect ahead of time.
"It's one of the loudest games you will ever play in because you have 40,000 people screaming their guts out on any given play," Hawkins said.
Colorado fans will get their first look at prized freshman running back Darrell Scott, but they will also see many other young Buffs making their debuts. The CU roster is one of the 10 youngest in the nation.
The Sumler decision
If you bet on highly touted Darrell Scott being CU's No. 1 tailback from the opening game of his freshman season until . . . whenever, you lost.
Unless he's injured between now and Aug. 31st, when the Buffs play Colorado State in Denver, sophomore Demetrius Sumler will get the first carry in the CU offense.
By all accounts, starting Sumler makes mucho sense. At the moment, he's the better pass blocker, knows the offense better and has worked diligently last spring and over the summer to remain atop the depth chart.
Other true freshmen, such as tailback Rodney Stewart, offensive lineman Max Tuioti-Mariner and safety Patrick Mahnke, are good bets for playing time today.
Older players will step into more prominent roles, such as sophomore Demetrius Sumler becoming the starting tailback and Jason Brace starting at defensive end. Also, junior college transfer linebacker Shawn Mohler will get his first start in Buff uniform.
Perhaps no debut is more significant that how sophomore Nate Solder plays in the first game of his life at tackle. Solder played tight end in high school and his first two years in the CU program.
CU vs. CSU matchups
By Kyle Ringo (Contact)
Saturday, August 30, 2008
CU RUN OFFENSE VS. CSU RUN DEFENSE --The Buffs are simply loaded at tailback with the addition of freshmen Darrell Scott and Rodney Stewart to veterans such as starter Demetrius Sumler, who ran for 85 yards against the Rams last season. The question mark for CU comes in how well its revamped offensive line will perform with three new starters (two at guard and Nate Solder at tackle). Coaches will likely rotate four guards throughout the game. If the line plays well, despite the changes, it could be a long day for the Rams, who finished 107th in the nation last year defending the run. Sure, it's a new year, but the Rams have to prove they can stop the run before anyone is likely to give them an edge in this area. Edge: CU.
CU PASS OFFENSE VS. CSU PASS DEFENSE -- Once again, a lot depends on the line and how well the Buffs are able to protect quarterback quarterback Cody Hawkins. CU will debut its new no-huddle approach and it should work in Hawkins' favor because he will be operating almost exclusively out of the shotgun and the Rams will be limited in the amount of substituting they will be able to do. Hawkins and his receivers are a year older and have played 13 games together. That experience and chemistry should help as long as they don't turn the ball over. The Rams must find a way to get pressure on Hawkins and create turnovers. The Rams ranked 87th in the country in pass efficiency defense last year, and have a lot to prove. They made only seven interceptions in all of 2007. Edge: CU.
CSU RUN OFFENSE VS. CU RUN DEFENSE --CU defensive coordinator Ron Collins has coached his defenses to top 31 finishes against the run in six consecutive years. The Buffs have seven seniors on defense, including four in the front seven. CU also is deep and talented at linebacker and isn't likely to be worn down even by the big backs and experienced line of the Rams. CSU has four returning starters on its line and tailbacks Kyle Bell and Gartrell Johnson are punishers. Part of the reason they have enjoyed some success on the ground against CU in the past two years was due to former quarterback Caleb Hanie's efficiency in the passing game. New quarterback Billy Farris probably won't be operating at such as high level. Edge: EVEN.
CSU PASS OFFENSE VS. CU PASS DEFENSE -- Yes, there is a new quarterback, new offensive coordinator and new starting wide receivers in Fort Collins. There is a lot of unknown in the Rams passing attack. Senior quarterback Billy Farris will be under a lot of pressure to play at a high level right away, whether he is up to it could be the deciding factor in the game. Plenty of folks doubted former CU QB Joel Klatt before the 2003 game. All he did was throw for more than 400 yards. The Buffs have much to prove with two new starting cornerbacks (though Cha'pelle Brown has logged plenty of playing time). They didn't put much pressure on the quarterback las year. Let's be honest, the Rams have hurt the Buffs badly the past two years in this facet of the game. Until the Buffs put a stop to it, the Rams deserve the edge here. Edge: CSU.
SPECIAL TEAMS -- Both teams are breaking in new place-kickers, but the Rams just found out this week they would using freshman Ben DeLine after Jason Smith broke his arm in practice. New CU kicker Aric Goodman has some expereince under his belt from his freshman season two years ago at Wyoming. The Buffs have an advantage in continuity in the way they operate on coverage and return teams, while the Rams are doing everything for the first time under new coaches. Josh Smith has the potential to be an explosive return man for the Buffs. Dion Morton could do the same for the Rams. Matt DiLallo returns for this third year as the Buffs punter, and don't be surprised to see star running back recruit Darrell Scott back in punt formation. How the Rams react to that will be interesting. Edge: CU.
COACHING -- Dan Hawkins has coached in this game the past two years. He knows what to expect and has his entire coaching staff returning intact from a year ago along with his starting quarterback. Hawkins is a gambler who has gotten himself into trouble at times with some decisions, but he's not dealing with everything his counterpart has on his plate this week. Steve Fairchild has spent a lifetime in football and won't be overwhelmed by any situation, but coaching a team for the very first time in a neutral site against a rival would be difficult for anyone. There are a lot of little problems Rams coaches will be experiencing for the first time today. Edge: CU.
PREDICTION -- Colorado 41-12
-- Kyle Ringo
* Scouting report: In a match of team strengths, CSU will try to establish a running game against CU's stout defensive line. Inexperienced cornerbacks from both teams will be tested as CSU senior quarterback Billy Farris will make his first start and CU sophomore quarterback Cody Hawkins will start for the second year.
In ‘07 CSU’s defense ranked eighth in the league (415.2),
eighth against the run (207.2) and fourth against the pass (212.2)
* Injury update: CU -- OL Mike Iltis (knee), LB Jon Major (knee), DE Drew Hudgins (knee) and CB Ben Burney (shoulder) are out for the season. WR/PR Jason Espinoza (broken collarbone) and WR Bret Smith (knee) are out. RB Brian Lockridge (hernia) is doubtful. CSU -- Placekicker Jason Smith (broken arm) is out.
New head coach. New quarterback. New wide receivers.
So what exactly is Colorado's defense expecting to see from Colorado State's passing game on Sunday night at Invesco Field?
Marc Lubick, CSU's tight end coach, admitted that he can see differences between his father, former Rams head man Sonny Lubick, and Fairchild but said the end goal remains the same.
Marc Lubick is the only coach remaining with the Rams from last season.
Although they have to replace the Mountain West Conference's leading passer in Caleb Hanie, the Rams return four of their five starting offensive linemen and senior running backs Gartrell Johnson and Kyle Bell.
"We've got to get more consistent at quarterback and receiver," Fairchild said. "We're not limping along, but our passing game is not progressing quite like we'd like. We'll just keep repping them." August 22, 2008 1:38 PM
"We're playing ghost busters. We're chasing ghosts," says CU secondary coach Greg Brown. "They could come out and do anything. We've got to be ready and hopefully we'll be sound in our preparation and try to cover the bases the best we can."
Kory Sperry was supposed to be a ghost of Rocky Mountain Showdowns past.
The 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end will be back in the lineup for the Rams a year after torching CU's defense for three touchdowns and 103 yards receiving. Sperry redshirted in 2007 after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Cal in the second game.
Brown, a longtime secondary coach in the NFL, has schemed to stop players like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates.
Preparing to chase Sperry around at CU isn't much different. He's a scary-good tight end.
"The guy took it to us last year. We've got to be very aware of No. 80 and where he lines up every play," Brown said "He's a heck of a player. Anybody with that sort of height, speed, athletic ability and soft hands like he's got ... every accolade that comes his way is well deserved."
Also an offensive first is the start for CSU freshman kicker Ben DeLine, who was named the starter on Sunday after senior kicker Jason Smith broke his arm in a Saturday morning mock-game.
One more key first is the first career start for leader of the young CSU cornerbacks, junior Nick Oppenneer.
The most significant change during spring drills came on the offensive side of the ball. With the players now more accustomed to
the system on offense, and with the timing (game clock) rules changing for the fourth time in as many years, it was time to take things up a
notch. The coaches instituted a no-huddle offense, one that will produce more plays and keep the defense from making wholesale
substitutions. It figures to be particularly a big hit in home games, when the visitor isn’t used to the altitude at Folsom Field. In fact,
Hawkins had hoped to install it a year ago, but the offense hadn’t progressed enough for the staff to be comfortable with it.
“Offensively we will only have four or five upperclassmen who will play,” Hawkins said. “We just don’t have many on the offensive
side of the ball, so there are a lot of young pups that will have to grow up in a hurry.” At times in 2007, there were times where as many as
seven freshmen were in the game at the same time. But they performed admirably for the most part, and had just one anxious moment in
relation to CU’s 235-game scoring streak, waiting until there was just 3:39 left in the game to extend it in a 16-6 loss to Florida State. CU
scored a touchdown on fourth down, and then had the confidence to bounce right back and drive inside-the-15 on the possession, though
coming up empty. Hawkins felt the Buffs did a lot of growing up in that game and it paid off two weeks later when Colorado upset No. 3
Oklahoma
Hawkins isn’t the first to believe that you build your team first in the trenches, and in year three, there are finally some bodies on
the offensive line. The non-starters in games last year were in for just 237 plays, meaning the starters played 95 percent of the snaps. For
the first time in several years, the Buffs will be two if not three-deep across. A year ago, about two-thirds of the quarterback sacks and
tackles for losses by the opponent came after halftime, when the line would wear down. So between more bodies to shuffle in and out and
ever-improving conditioning, things are in place for the O-line to become a strong suit for this team.
In the secondary, the Buffaloes actually lose both starting corners from a year ago. In addition to Wheatley heading into the NFL,
Benjamin Burney had off-season shoulder surgery to repair a couple of chronic problems, and he will redshirt this fall. Hawkins, who feels
the same way about cornerbacks as he does linemen (“you can never have enough of them, especially in this league where you play a lot of
nickel and dime schemes”), saw some marked improvement last fall, as the opponents’ completion percentage dropped almost a full 10
points (from 66.9 to 57.3). But the Buffs still ranked 103rd nationally in passing yards allowed, though was a bit higher in pass efficiency
defense (73rd). A healthy Ryan Walters and improving Daniel Dykes, both senior safeties, will certainly help improve those numbers.
Fast forward to
2008, and at the end of fall camp, there are 28 players in the two-deep who are freshmen (15, including seven recruits from last spring’s class) or
sophomores (13). Nationally, in a complex experience rating published by Phil Steele’s College Football, Colorado and Boise State are tied for the third
youngest teams in the nation, with Florida and Texas the only schools younger. At six positions, the top two players are either a freshman or a sophomore
(WR, LT, RG, RT, QB, TB and PK).
�� Fewest Seniors. Colorado has 15 seniors on its roster, which is tied for the 13th fewest in the nation. Central Michigan and Toledo have the fewest
(10), with Minnesota and North Carolina next with just 11. Fresno State, UCF and UTEP have 12, followed by Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and LSU all with 13
and then Virginia Tech with 14. CU, Nevada, Notre Dame and Oklahoma State have 15, with Virginia (16) and Air Force (17) next on the list.
Highly touted freshman TB Darrell Scott was selected as the Big 12 Conference’s Newcomer of the Year in a preseason poll of league media.
QB Cody Hawkins, one of 16 freshman starting quarterbacks in the nation in 2007 (8 at BCS schools) threw for 2,693 yards, just the fifth 2,500-yard season
in school history (the total tied for the third most a season at CU). He set all the major passing and total offense records for a true freshman, and also set a
record for attempts in a season by any class. Hawkins placed high on the other single season lists as well, such as attempts, completions and total offense.
His 19 touchdown passes were the fourth most in a single season (record: 22, Koy Detmer in 1996), while his 15 interceptions tied for the second most in a
single year (record: 16, John Hessler in 1997, followed by 15, Joel Klatt 2004). The interception count was a bit skewed—seven were by deflection.
�� Red Zone. He has a 16-to-1 ratio of touchdowns to interceptions in the red zone (including two TDs against no picks against Alabama in the
Independence Bowl). He completed 32-of-58 passes for 202 yards, and converting 4-of-16 third downs passing (4-of-4 on fourth down) and was not
sacked.
Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year): DT George Hypolite (one of 75 on official watch list)
Lombardi Award (top offensive/defensive lineman or linebacker): DT George Hypolite (one of 113 on official watch list)
Ronnie Lott Award (top defensive impact player): DT George Hypolite (one of 42 on official watch list)
Bronko Nagurski Award (top defensive player): DT George Hypolite (one of 88 on official watch list)
Outland Trophy (best interior lineman): DT George Hypolite (one of 70 candidates on official watch list)
Dave Rimington Award (top center): C Daniel Sanders (one of 43 candidates on official watch list)
CSU:
JOHN MACKEY AWARD (top interior tight end)
Kory Sperry TE Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST
Colorado State: Jeff Horinek, Sr.., LB; Gartrell Johnson, Sr., RB.
COACHING STAFF INTACT
There were no changes in CU’s full-time coaching staff this off-season, as the same 10 full-time coaches will return for the 2008 season. This is the first time
since the 1989 season that the full-time coaching staff remained intact, as Colorado’s ’88 and ’89 staffs were identical. At least one change occurred in every
year between 1989 and 2007, for a variety of reasons: several assistants were named head coaches, others moved on to the National Football League, in two
cases there were deaths (Ben Gregory, Tom McMahon), and of course the two head coaching changes in the period provided for the most overhaul.
Dan Hawkins noted that one thing missing from CU’s offense his first season in 2006 that was prevalent of his past offenses at Boise State was the vertical
passing game. “By the end of the season, we’d always be up in the 70s or 80s in the number of pass plays over 20 yards,” he said. He was definitely on mark
with his assessment.
Season Total Rush Pass
2006 ….35 18 17
2007 ….58 18 40
Colorado gained 1,027 more yards on offense in 2007 than it had in 2006;
2007 GAME: COLORADO 31, COLORADO STATE 28 (OT)
The Buffs rallied from 11 down against the Rams, the second time in three years CU was
down by that many and came back to claim the victory, both by the same final score.
Crosby was the hero in 2005, and this time around Eberhart made clutch kicks from 22
yards out with 13 seconds left in regulation, and then the game winner in overtime from
35 yards after Terrence Wheatley snuffed out CSU’s overtime chance with an interception
in the end zone.
CSU took its first lead of the game with an impressive opening drive in the second half,
and then used the recovery of a fluke squib kickoff, which bounded off CU’s R.J. Brown,
to score quickly and take a 28-17 just five minutes into the second half. From that point on, it was all CU, as the Buff defense stiffened in holding the Rams to
just five first downs and 79 yards on their last six possessions. Meanwhile, Colorado
inched closer as Hawkins led the Buffs on a 14-play, 86-yard march that culminated with
a Demetrius Sumler 3-yard touchdown run that pulled the Buffs to within five. The CU
coaches elected to go for two, which proved big after Hawkins connected with Riar Geer
for the deuce to cut the lead to 28-25.
TEAM STATISTICS................COLORADO COLORADO ST.
First Downs..........................18 ……………..25
Third Down Efficiency (Fourth). 6-14 (0-0) …….11-19 (1-3)
Rushes—Net Yards ..................28-129 ………..56-157
Passing Yards ........................201 ……………229
Passes (Att-Comp-Int) ..........32-18-1 ………27-20-1
Total Offense ..................... 330 …………..386
PRESEASON TEAM RANKINGS
Publication ……………National …….Big 12 North
Bankroll Sports ………..No. 21 …
Athlon Sports ………….No. 31 ………3rd
Rivals.com………………No 34 …
Sports Illustrated………No. 36 …t-2nd
Lindy’s Big 12 Football No. 40 3rd
Pro Football Weekly (CFB News) No. 42 t-3rd
Nationalchamps.net …No. 45 …
Phil Steele’s College Football No. 52 ..5th
College Football Poll.com No. 83.…… t-4th
Blue Ribbon Yearbook ……………….. t-2nd
Mountain West Conference scouting report
By Jim Benton, Rocky Mountain News
8th. Colorado State
* Coach: Steve Fairchild (first year at CSU).
* Last season: 3-9 overall, 2-6 in MWC.
* Returning starters: Eight on offense, six on defense, one specialist.
* Key players
LB Jeff Horinek. He's one of the playmakers Fairchild hopes will excel.
RB Gartrell Johnson. The top rusher last season will be a key if the Rams hope to employ a physical running game.
TE Kory Sperry. Talented senior is back after missing most of last season because of a knee injury.
* Pivotal game: Oct. 25 at San Diego State.
* The lowdown: Fairchild is trying to rebuild the toughness that was part of CSU's successful past. But glaring gaps of experience at quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback must be addressed. A refreshed attitude from the players will help.
Question for Steve Fairchild
What is the strength of your team?
"On the offensive side of the ball, we like our running backs and offensive line. Defensively, it is just depth."
Preseason report card
* RUSHING OFFENSE: Coach Steve Fairchild would love to have a physical, punishing rushing attack that would allow the Rams to also stretch the field. CSU has the players to accomplish that. Gartrell Johnson and Kyle Bell head a deep group of running backs, and four full-time starters are back on the offensive line. Grade: B
* PASSING OFFENSE: Billy Farris, a backup for two seasons, needs to prove himself at quarterback. Tight end Kory Sperry is returning after a medical hardship year, but he's a bona fide playmaker. The Rams will need to develop reliable wide receivers, but new recruits could help turn the receiving corps into a strength as the season progresses. Grade: C
* RUSHING DEFENSE: Three starters are gone from the defensive line, but sacks leader Tommie Hill, Matt Rupp and linebacker Jeff Horinek, the leading tackler last year, should provide defensive coordinator Larry Kerr with a solid nucleus. Grade: C
* PASSING DEFENSE: Free safety Klint Kubiak and strong safety Mike Pagnotta missed a combined 13 games last year because of illness and injuries. They are good at run support and will be the headline performers in what will be an inexperienced secondary. Grade: C
* SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior Jason Smith will miss part of the season because of a broken arm. In his absence, freshman Ben DeLine will fill in as the placekicker and and junior college transfer Anthony Hartz will be the punter. Dion Morton will handle punt returns. Grade: C-plus
Sunday: Colorado*:
The pick: CU
Outlook
4-8 Steve Fairchild has started to rebuild the foundation for a return to winning ways in Fort Collins, but it might not happen this season.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
CU scouting report
Preseason report card
* RUSHING OFFENSE: The Buffaloes have been average in the Big 12 Conference the past two seasons (172.9 yards rushing in 2006, 144.2 in 2007) - numbers not pleasing to third-year coach Dan Hawkins. The climb from the middle of the pack could begin this season with an offensive line taking shape under running game coordinator/line coach Jeff Grimes and the arrival of freshmen tailbacks Darrell Scott, Rodney "Speedy" Stewart and Ray Polk. But sophomore Demetrius Sumler vowed not to be overshadowed by the newcomers and lived up to that. He'll start in the opener. Grade: C
* PASSING OFFENSE: CU made a dramatic ascent, going from 116th nationally in 2006 to 54th in 2007 under new starting quarterback Cody Hawkins. Still, there's fine-tuning to be done, especially in decreasing turnovers. Hawkins threw 17 interceptions (to 22 touchdown passes) and was ninth in the league in passing efficiency. Three of his top four receivers - Scotty McKnight, Patrick Williams, Josh Smith - are back, and Stewart offers a boost out of the backfield. Knee surgery will sideline tight end Riar Geer for at least two games, lifting Patrick De- venny and freshman Ryan Deehan. Grade: B
* RUSHING DEFENSE: The Buffs were efficient run stoppers in 2007, allowing only 128.0 yards a game. But a big reason was graduated linebacker Jordon Dizon, among the national leaders in tackles (12.5 a game). Another playmaker - former walk-on Jeff Smart is highly capable and junior-college transfer Shaun Mohler is highly touted - needs to step up. Quickly. Senior tackles George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas and senior end Maurice Lucas form a formidable front, and senior safeties Ryan Walters and D.J. Dykes are sure tacklers. Freshman safety Patrick Mahnke will play. Grade: B-plus
* PASSING DEFENSE: Can you say annually suspect? Since 2003, the Buffs have ranked 114th, 105th, 87th, 94th and 73rd against the pass, so 2007 stands as a relative high-water mark. But CU must break in two new starting cornerbacks (probably Gardner McKay and Cha'pelle Brown), which isn't comforting in a league brimming with bona fide playmakers at quarterback and receiver. Plus, it has been a while since the Buffs generated a consistent pass rush (20 quarterback sacks last season, tied for ninth in the Big 12) without sacrificing coverage. Grade: C
* SPECIAL TEAMS: Newcomers Aric Goodman (placekicking) and Jameson Davis (kickoffs) will handle the kicking roles, and Matt DiLallo is an experienced, if not entirely consistent, punter (35.8 average). The Buffs made needed strides in the return games, rising from 104th nationally in 2006 to 38th in punt returns and 95th to 29th in kickoff returns. Both areas were points of heavy emphasis in Dan Hawkins' second year and will be again as he counts on the swift Smith, McKnight, Dykes and possibly Scott as returners. Jason Espinoza (broken collarbone) is sidelined. Grade: B
Sunday: Colorado State*
The pick: CU
Outlook
7-5 Season 3 under Dan Hawkins finds the Buffs ahead of schedule in most areas, particularly on offense. But a typically unforgiving schedule offers a handful of swing games that might mask CU's improvement.
By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sure looks like a tough spot for CSU to be in this game. If based on recent history though, they will somehow hang in there? New coaching staff, new QB...it just doesn't add up.
Comment -
Let's get this discussion started....Im thinking -12cuComment -
don't you know that a vote for obama is a vote for osama?Originally posted by gridiron guru
not for nothing but mccain is going to win in a landslide. take the republican on the ml trust me. i don't like politics...just money.
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I always play the dog in these in state rivalries.Comment -
Take The Points In Rival Games Baaaaaaaabbbbyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Comment -
12.5 nowIf it seems to good to be true it usually is!!
I have a natural instinct to exploit market ineffieciencies!!Comment -
Well, went Buffs 1st Hf -6.5
BEST BET
Going 2nd hf AlsoComment -
buffs
im on colo-11
Comment -
Originally posted by ChiGuy23
agreed 100%Comment -
Nice hit tonight boys (CU backers, at least)Comment
