2008 Colorado Buffaloes Preview

After stumbling to 2–10 in 2006, Colorado recovered in 2007 by tripling its win total. It beat key rivals like Nebraska and Colorado State, and reached a bowl. It would seem that the rebuilding process under coach Dan Hawkins is well on its way.

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A Quick Look at the Buffaloes

It would seem that coach Dan Hawkins has weathered the roughest parts of the rebuilding process. Recruiting has improved, players know the system, and they also know what the coach demands. His program has yet to arrive, but it’s getting closer. The depth and inexperience problems that abounded in 2007 won’t glare so bright in 2008. And even with them, CU won six games, beat its biggest rivals and reached a bowl. Quarterback Cody Hawkins proved he’s a capable field leader, and he’s only a sophomore. CU changed its offense in spring drills to feature a faster pace and fewer huddles. Players say it’s similar to what they saw some opponents use on the Buffs in 2007, and they think it’ll work well, especially at altitude. Hawkins could put up big numbers. Don’t be surprised to see Darrell Scott in the mix early at running back. The touted 2008 signee owns talent CU has lacked for years. While the offense appears set to improve, the key to success in 2008 will probably be how the Buffs defend the pass. CU remains thin and inexperienced at cornerback, and an improved pass rush is mandatory. The Buffs need corners like Jimmy Smith, Gardner McKay and Cha’pelle Brown to perform well. If they don’t, CU may find itself in a bunch of shootouts.

Or is it?

Hawkins is the never-satisfied type. While there were aspects about last season that pleased the coach, there were more concerns. Defeats to Kansas and Iowa State left sour tastes. Comeback wins over Oklahoma and Colorado State could easily have gone the other way. And the urgency Hawkins demands is not always there. In short, the massive rebuilding project Hawkins assumed in December 2005 upon succeeding Gary Barnett might be showing promise, but for the coach, not enough.

“I like the direction we’re going and I like where we’re headed, but we’re not in a canoe floating down a river,” Hawkins says. “I would prefer it more if we were a swimmer in the ocean in a Jaws movie and they’re yelling at you to get to the boat, and you better swim faster. That needs to be the sense of urgency we have.”

Still, consider what CU endured in 2007. It lost the previous season’s starting quarterback, Bernard Jackson, to grades, though if he had played, his role was uncertain. Also missing was a probable starting guard in Erick Faatagi, also to grades, and a couple of linebackers in Marcus Burton and Michael Sipili who would have played big roles.

Inexperience and a lack of depth burdened the program in 2007. Both areas will be better in 2008. A nasty schedule, even by CU’s standards, looms, and to beat Missouri and Kansas in the Big 12 North is a tall order. Coaches tweaked the offense’s pace in the spring, going with a faster tempo and fewer huddles. Hawkins expects success, and another bowl is possible. But any titles in 2008 would be a surprise.

Quarterbacks

Cody Hawkins, the coach’s son, started all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2007, throwing for 3,015 yards and 22 touchdowns on the season. Interceptions were a problem — he threw multiple picks in five of the first eight games — but Hawkins entered the Independence Bowl with a streak of 70 straight passes without throwing a pick. Hawkins is not a tremendous athlete, he does not have a cannon arm, and his size (5'11") makes his passes easy to bat down. But Hawkins is smart and runs the offense well. He showed his mettle at Texas Tech when he took a shot to the head on the first series, led CU to a win, and remembered little about the game afterward. After struggling in a 55–10 loss to Missouri at home in early November, Hawkins averaged 275.0 yards over the final three games, with seven touchdowns and only two interceptions. Senior Nick Nelson and redshirt freshman Matt Ballenger await their chance, but it’s Hawkins’ show for the foreseeable future.

Running backs

Sophomore Demetrius Sumler had a good spring, staking a claim to a spot that’ll be under scrutiny come August. Sumler was the second-leading rusher in 2007 with 335 yards. But he averaged only 3.4 a carry, a figure coaches want to grow. Brian Lockridge shows big-play ability, but the man everyone wants to see is incoming freshman Darrell Scott. He was rated the nation’s top prep running back, and Colorado won a furious battle for Scott’s signature with Texas. If Scott’s talents live up to the hype, he’ll man a big role in the offense right away. Ray Polk, another incoming freshman, might also be too talented to keep on the bench. At fullback, Maurice Cantrell and Jake Behrens are atop the depth chart.

Receivers

Colorado uses lots of receivers, and through patience and recruiting, the Buffs now have a lot of them. Unfamiliarity with the playbook cut playing time for Josh Smith in 2007. That shouldn’t be an issue for the talented sophomore this fall. Sophomore Scotty McKnight led the team with 43 catches for 488 yards in 2007. Pat Williams has worked hard to become sure-handed. Last year, he caught 29 passes for 294 yards. Markques Simas redshirted in 2007 but might be the most talented receiver. All will play a lot. Tight end is depleted. Only one on scholarship player — Patrick Devenny — went through spring drills. Three signed in February, and coaches plan to get them ready immediately. Riar Greer, who caught 14 passes last year, was arrested in the spring. His status for the fall has not been determined yet.

Offensive linemen

Question marks abound up front, but there’s potential. Nate Solder moved from tight end to tackle, and his quick feet and long reach make him look like a natural. But he had to learn in the spring. Faatagi has waited two years to play, missing 2006 due to injury and 2007 due to academics. He has one season left, and the guard could be a difference-maker up front — if eligible, and that’s a big if. Sophomore tackle Ryan Miller moved into the starting lineup mid-season in 2007 and showed the skills that merited a five-star ranking in high school. He has all the tools to be dominant. Senior center Daniel Sanders is nicknamed “Girthy.” That sums him up.

Defensive linemen

George Hypolite was a first-team All-Big 12 tackle in 2007. He combines with fellow senior Brandon Nicolas to be the strength of CU’s defense. Neither is very big, but both are smart, quick and strong. Another senior, end Maurice Lucas, enters his second year as a starter. While Lucas hasn’t been bad, he hasn’t dominated. Fans hope he’ll break out this year. Drew Hudgins missed 2007 after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon. He was limited in spring, but coaches hope he can provide a pass rush up front CU so badly needs. Hudgins recorded 19 sacks in 2006 at Highland (Kan.) Community College.

Linebackers

Replacing Butkus finalist and All-American Jordon Dizon and his 160 tackles in 2007 won’t be easy. He was the heart of the defense. Academic concerns slowed progress at linebacker in the spring. Coaches made sure players like Michael Sipili and Marcus Burton, who both missed 2007, were on top of their coursework. Sipili was scheduled to start in 2007 before his suspension derailed him. Both could start in 2008, but they must take care of their school work. Jeff Smart remained steady in spring at the middle spot. He has gone from walk-on to dependable starter.  B.J. Beatty pushed Brad Jones for the starting outside spot in spring. Coaches experimented with a 3-4 base, and both could play a lot this fall if coaches continue to use it. Beatty and Jones are good pass rushers.

Defensive backs

Safety Ryan Walters missed the spring to recover from shoulder surgery, but the physical senior is experienced, smart and the team leader. CU will need Walters’ savvy defending the pass. All-Big 12 corner Terrence Wheatley graduated, and five offseason surgeries for Ben Burney will likely force him to redshirt in 2008. That leaves some good athletes, like Jimmy Smith, Gardner McKay, Cha’pelle Brown and Anthony Wright, but little experience. CU cut its pass defense completion rate from 66.9 percent in 2007 to 57.5 in 2008, which was one reason for improvement in wins. Defending the pass is a crucial factor in CU’s success this season. Coaches believe that a team needs four good corners to weather the Big 12 offensive onslaught, and it’s unclear whether CU has them. Strong safety Daniel Dykes is the leading returning tackler.

Specialists

Aric Goodman and Jameson Davis battled in spring to succeed Kevin Eberhart as placekicker. No winner was named, but Goodman appeared to be more accurate. Matt DiLallo averaged 40.1 yards per punt, down from 43.7 in 2006 when he was jittery. DiLallo struggled in cold weather, and CU has two games in Boulder in November, plus one at Nebraska. Redshirt freshman Jason Espinoza, a walk-on, emerged as an option at punt returner in the spring.

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