September, the best time of the year. A time when optimism is at an all time high and college football fans dreams are held back only by the limits of their imagination. A time when everyone is capable of winning the National Championship. The only problem is that Buffs fans haven't had much to be optimistic about the last 5 years.
Maybe it's because we have had to sit through 4 losing seasons in a row. Maybe it's the fact that last year was supposedly the year or maybe it's the fact that Colorado fans have lost their patience with Dan Hawkins. Whatever your reasons, there is hope! In fact this year offers more potential than we have had in a long time.
Here are a few reasons to hold your head high about the 2010 Buffs:
1) Experience
Here is a statistical breakdown for you numbers junkies:
-QBs: Both of our top QBs are upper classmen, with Hansen coming in with one solid year of experience and a freshman year with partial game experience. You may not be 100% confident in Hansen, but he finally has much needed experience.
-O-line: Finally, our offensive line is experienced. Four of the five projected starters are upper classmen and a our dominant sophomore lineman Bryce Givens, who had seven starts last year, will be back soon.
-RBs: Speedy comes in with two solid years behind him and a reliable and capable Lockridge behind him. The two freshman show signs of explosiveness and could help contribute.
-WRs: Seven out of nine of our receivers are upper classmen. All three of our starters have much needed game experience. Finally.
-D-line: Three out of the four starters are upper classmen. This is one area where you could argue that the depth is not great. However, perhaps the best player on the team plays here, Herrod, who is a preseason second team All Big 12 player.
-LBs: Two out of three are upper classmen with sophomore Jon Major participating in seven games last year.
-DBs: Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith are both seniors who started all games last year. Polk the sophomore safety has 11 starts under his belt.
2) Depth
For the first time in a while you look at CU's depth chart and smile. Almost every position has depth.
We may have the most talented Receivers we have ever had at CU. Tony Clemons is hands down the one to watch, but we have a strong supporting cast in USC transfer Travon Patterson and two other solid underclassmen in Richardson and Jefferson. Of course you can't forget our most reliable target in Scotty McKnight, who is two receptions shy of tying CU great Michael Westbrook for most total receptions.
The O-line boasts experienced backups that sit behind serious talent. The QBs may still be a question mark, but Hansen will have a lot longer to throw this year and a delicious list of WRs to throw to. Add a promising run game to that and you have a serious recipe for success.
The D-line poses some minor question marks with the loss of some major pieces, but has multiple players that I feel can step in and fill the void. Our Defensive backs strike fear in opposing Quarterbacks and Brown and Smith should have promising NFL careers in their future.
Overall the team gives you confidence that if the injury bug comes around we'll still be sitting pretty solid.
3) Schedule
Many articles claim that we have a top 25 strength of schedule ranking this year, but that is nothing new for the Buffs. Yes we play teams like California, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma on the road. However we always have two tough Big 12 road games every year. California is reeling and Missouri is on the decline with key positional losses. Of course we play Georgia, but of any year, this is the year to play them with their talent pool being lower than usual. Our other two Big 12 south games are manageable with Tech and Baylor at home and the Big 12 South is ripe for the killing with Nebraska being the only solid team. Missouri, Kansas, and Kansas State are all not as good as they have been the last five years and Iowa State is improved but is well, still Iowa State. Add all this to a very friendly home schedule and you have a serious possibility for improvement.
4) All practice signs look good
Senior leadership, healthy players and hunger have not been things we have heard from practice in a long while. These are all things that are being echoed out of this year's early season practice. Don't forget that injuries and lack of depth have been the two things in the 2007 and 2008 seasons that have kept us from winning seasons. We have both a lack of injuries and depth this year.
5) Our time is due
Yes we keep saying this, but it really seems to be now or........not for a long time. I for one am a Hawkins believer and believe that he is building our program the right way. Yes it has taken longer than we all wanted, but this season I believe is where we see the old Boise State Hawkins on the field. If not this year, then I completely agree that it is time to move on.
Here are my game by game predictions:
Colorado State - W - The Rammies bring a freshman starting QB to the game and are coming off an atrocious season. Yes we had the same record last year but we play in the Big 12 and their wins came against Colorado, Nevada and Weber State. Our wins were against Wyoming, Kansas and Texas A&M. Advantage: Big 12
California - L - Yes the Bears have question marks at every offensive and defensive position. They even have question marks in their senior quarterback, which is never a good sign, but the Buffs simply stink on the road under Hawkins. These road woes continue for the Buffs in the this Pac 12 preview.
Hawaii - W - These Rainbow Warriors put up a good fight against USC but they still have only 12 returning starters and that does not bode well when playing on the road. The Buffs enjoy the home cooking and beat the Warriors in a closer than expected high flying competition.
Georgia - W - Yes this is a risky pick but I just got a feeling about this one. Last time the Buffs tangled with Georgia they came so very close to what would of been a huge upset. This is the 1990 National Championship 20th Anniversary Reunion and emotions will be high. The Buffs will be coming off of a bye week and Folsom will be packed to the brim with many fans, albeit numerous Georgia fans. The atmosphere will be electric and the Buffs will pull off their biggest upset since Oklahoma in 2007.
Missouri - L - This is a toss up game because I don't think Missouri will be as good as advertised. We will light up their 11th ranked passing defense, but Blaine Gabbert and their offensive firepower will be too much for the Buffs. The Buffs again come very close in this game, but their first road win since 2007 will have to wait.
Baylor - W - A home game against a much improved Baylor team scares me with QB Robert Griffin being what I think is the scariest QB in the Big 12. This game proves to be a frightening one, but the Buffs take care of business unlike the last couple of years and seal the deal.
Texas Tech - W - The Buffs take advantage against the first year Tubberville project. Tech's offense ranked 99th in turnovers last year and 89th in sacks given. Their defense will be much improved this year but the offensive turnovers will continue to hurt them in this game.
Oklahoma - L - A game against a national title contender in Norman proves to be way too much for the Buffs and shows them that they still have a long way to go. The Buffs get beaten pretty badly and make people question if they can respond the following week.
Kansas - W - The first road win!!! The Buffs will take advantage of a team without QB Todd Reesing and show Turner Gill that he is not in Buffalo anymore.
Iowa State - W - Iowa State + home game does not equal an automatic win anymore. These Cyclones are coming off of a 7-6 season and have a very talented running game and much improved QB. This game will be agonizingly close, but once again the Buffs will use their new found character and experience to get a W.
Kansas State - W - The Little Apple is a tough place to play and Snyder always has his team ready to play. The Buffs will capitalize on only KSU's 11 returning starters and notch their second road win.
Nebraska - L - The final Big 12 Nebraska game will be very competitive and close, but the Blackshirts will prove to be too much for the Buffs. Too much talent on Nebraska trumps Colorado's huge desire to end this rivalry on a high note.
The season ends at 8-4 for the Buffs and shows people that Hawkins is doing things the right way. Yes, I have the Buffs going undefeated at home, but who is to say that the Buffs can't take advantage of what appears to be their easiest home schedule in years. I have the Buffs going 2-3 on the road which is better, but still not great. If the Buffs don't pull off the Georgia upset then they still have a great chance against Cal or Missouri on the road.
The Buffs have many things going for them this year and believe will have the talent and character that has been lacking in years past. Even if you aren't a believer, there is much to be excited about this year. If the Buffs play well, you finally get to root for a winning team. If they falter, Mike Bohn will have no choice but to bring in a new regime at CU. Either way the future looks a lot better. So hold your heads high and start your dreaming because I see many good things in the Buffs future.
