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Preseason magazines predict Buffs are moving up
Jayhawks, Tigers still stand in Buffs' way in Big 12 North
A return to the top-25 national rankings could be just a few wins away for the Colorado football team this fall if preseason preview magazines can be trusted.
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If the young Buffs can start the season 3-0 with victories over Colorado State, Eastern Washington and West Virginia and a handful of preseason top-25 teams suffer losses, they could find themselves back in the polls.
The magazines on store shelves now play a bit of a guessing game each summer because they are largely based on the results of last season and what transpired in spring practices. Injuries, arrests, defections and suspensions that occur between mid-April and July can't be considered.
Players and coaches generally march in lockstep saying they don't pay any attention to the magazines and other preseason prognostications, at least until the coaches vote in their poll in August. The Buffs are no different, but they do believe in themselves more now than they did a year ago when they were coming off a 2-10 season.
"Well, obviously our mission is to keep getting better, and we are a very, very young team again next year but I feel like going into the season guys are working hard," CU quarterback Cody Hawkins said. "We have very high goals for ourselves and we're going to expect to win every game. I definitely think that is going to be a better opportunity for usthis year than it was last year."
Though the magazines differ on expectations and what might be possible for the Buffs in coach Dan Hawkins' third season, they seem to agree the program is on its way up after a bowl appearance last season and two consecutive solid recruiting classes. They also note the youthful roster, which includes only eight players who have lettered for three seasons.
The magazines agree the two programs standing in the Buffs' way when it comes to winning the Big 12 Conference North Division are Missouri and Kansas. CU is 0-4 against the Tigers and Jayhawks in the past two years. Arch rival Nebraska, in coach Bo Pelini's first season, is generally viewed as only the fourth best team in the division.
Athlon's college football preview ranks CU No. 31 in the nation and third in the Big 12 North behind the Tigers and Jayhawks, two teams that emerged last season from years of mediocrity to top-5 positions in the polls.
The Sporting News predicts a third-place finish for the Buffs in the North and Lindy's ranks the Buffs 40th among 119 Division I teams and third in the North. (In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted Camera writer Kyle Ringo is a contributing writer for Lindy's).
Phil Steele's annual college football preview might be the most respected of the bunch and doesn't view the Buffs favorably this year. Steele predicts CU will finish fifth in the Big 12 North beating out only Iowa State. The Buffs don't even make Steele's top-50.
Steele, like the other magazines, predicts a rematch of last year's Big 12 Championship game featuring Oklahoma and Missouri.
The Buffs say they have taken the offseason more seriously this year, perhaps, learning from the success Kansas enjoyed last year. A year ago the Jayhawks divided up into teams in the offseason and kept score in every offseason activity. KU players claimed during the season that taking that approach set the tone for a one-loss season and a trip to the Orange Bowl.
CU players boast of nearly a 100 percent attendance rate at player-organized summer practices this year and say the offseason has been the best anyone can remember. Coach Dan Hawkins and strength and conditioning coach Jeff Pitman don't argue with that characterization.
"I think since we're working so hard, we expect ourselves to do really well next year," wide receiver Scotty McKnight said. "And those people, they write their magazines and they know a good amount, but they're not out here with us during the summer to see what we can do and see how hard we're working."
CU hasn't been a consistent top-25 team since the early years of this decade. The Buffs were ranked on three occasions in the 2005 season beginning on Oct. 9, breaking a string of 25 months since their last ranking at the start of the 2003 season.
Colorado hasn't been ranked since Nov. 12, 2005, when it traveled to Iowa State looking to clinch a division title and was beaten in a game famous for a pregame tornado warning and the beginning of former coach Gary Barnett's downfall.
Posted by IowaBuffFan on July 1, 2008 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Buffs! When does practice start? That will at least give us something tangible to discuss... or I'd be happy with a couple big time commits as well...
Posted by shoulder2shoulder on July 2, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/con...
Posted by flabuff227 on July 2, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If CU goes 3-0 they will be ranked going into the FSU game, guarantee
RS- Thiirs a very positive, upbeat article about a current CU football player under rivals.com. Care to share your feelings about it. Just curious about your thoughts on someting positive. Oh wait... your thoughtless when it comes to positivity.
Anyways, real buff fans check out the article,its a good one.
Posted by extrapoint on July 2, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What the heck is going on here? All these magazines are way off base? Not one of them mentioned Cody is too short? Spewsyourdaddy will be here any minute to confirm this. I cant but help follow him around because I admire his life mission...."just helping people to understand"
and for rswright.....there is a nice article in rivals.com
Posted by extrapoint on July 2, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sorry shoulder....I see you have already mentioned rivals.
Posted by rswright on July 2, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is nothing new about the fact that CU football is on the upswing. How did it take the magazines so long to notice. Send in more contributions!
Posted by rswright on July 2, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is nothing new about the fact that CU football is on the upswing. Why did it take the magazines so long to notice? Send in more contributions!
Posted by kimolukela on July 2, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't wait to see the Buff's back in the Top 25. If we stay healthy, we are definitely going to surprise a lot of teams. It's good to see the dedication of the players to the program. Let's Go Buffs! Keep up the hardwork! It will pay off when we blow out the Fuskers at Home!
Posted by flabuff227 on July 2, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rs- Next time cut the prozac in half.
Posted by IAM4CUINIOWA on July 2, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shldr2Shldr,
That rivals article IS a must read! Thanks for the post.
Go Buffs!!
Posted by MDBuff on July 2, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I respect Phil Steele more than Lindy's and Athlon, but I sure hope the latter two are right. The Mountaineers are a top team and Pat White is a dangerous QB, but hopefully the Buffs can hang with them.
Posted by rodrigo on July 2, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rs, click the link you pinhead. The article mentioned above is about George Hypolite, not CU on the upswing. It's designed to shatter your carefully crafted delusion that all CU football players are thugs wasting society's resources at the expense of more deserving athletes.
It makes me wonder:
1) how much you've donated to the CU athletic department
2) the university in general
3) how many hours of community or volunteer service you've done in your life.
Time for you to start giving, peanut, instead of just spewing bitterness.
Posted by Saheeb on July 2, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stating the obvious, priorities are seriously askew. According to Rivals, this highly recruited kid, Abdul Smith, "will make his collegiate intentions known on Wednesday, July 2nd, at a press conference at Trenton City Hall." Christ, high school athletes are now being given CITY HALL as a venue to announce where they'll play friggin' football!! Unbelievable. How funny would it be if instead of announcing at Trenton City Hall an anticipated choice of home town team Rutgers he picks Pittsburgh or Maryland? I've love to see that happen!
Posted by mgmtgrad on July 2, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To all of you true Buff fans:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but last year at this time didn't all of the preseason mags pick the Buffs to finish last or 5th in the Big 12 North?
And, didn't the Buffs finish 3rd? (I can't find last years stats to confirm this).
So, this year the Buffs are picked 3rd by the same mags... You get my point.
Marcus J
Posted by KFC on July 2, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think grouping the first three games together doesn't make much sense. We SHOULD win the first 2 games but beating WVU will be tough. I think its about 50/50. If we beat the mountaineers I bet we will be in the top 20 heading down to FLA.
Posted by Saheeb on July 2, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Agreed with KFC. We should win the first two, but I don't know why the pundits are picking us to beat WVU and lose to FSU, I guess just because we're at home versus WVU and away against FSU. I would reverse their picks (although, I hope we're 4-0 instead). I think WVU will be better than FSU, especially since FSU will have 3-4 starters suspended for the first three games due to last season's cheating scandal. Between WVU or FSU I would pick us to knock off FSU away as opposed to WVU. Pat White is just to friggin' fast and hard to corral and I'm still not sold on FSU's QB and his decision-making. He can definitely be rattled if we can pressure him or pick him once or twice.
Posted by clbuff on July 2, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anybody that follows the program knows that things are getting better and fast. However my fear is that improvement won't be reflected in the won loss column this year. The middle part of our schedule is flat out brutal. WVU-FSU-Texas-KU-KState-Mizzou-A&M. This is the reason Phil Steele has us slotted to finish 5th. Kstate is the only game that I feel we should win during that stretch (maybe A&M too but Kyle Field can be tough). This is a young team and that is a tall order to come out of that section with a winning record. The talent is there to get the job done, and I hope we do, but there is a good chance we will coming down the stretch fighting for bowl eligibility. My two cents. Go Buffs!
Posted by extrapoint on July 2, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
we will also upset either KU or the forlornhorns
Posted by archalon on July 2, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On WVU: an east coast team playing on the road at altitude in a charge atmosphere on national TV with a new coach and no Steve Slaton to complement White ? Take CU
ON FSU: a young team traveling east in a hot and humid environment, atmosphere, etc ? Tough call - reference the Miami game a few years back
CU will split KU\MU, likely win in Lawrence as a opposed to Mizzou
The Horns is a W for CU - no discussion needed
Posted by archalon on July 2, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats Tall - 6'4" QB Clark Evans committs to the Hawk.
http://colorado.rivals.com/viewprospe...
Posted by SnowBuff on July 2, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dual threat as well. I watched his highlights. TOUGH runner. He is not fast enough to be a game breaker, but he gets the extra yard. sort of a Mike Hart version of Tebow.
Posted by mewag28 on July 2, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since WV will be ranked in the top 10 or even 5 when CU plays them lets hope if CU wins they would be put in the top 20.
What will the WV line be? I already have a bet where I get CU and 12 1/2.
Posted by Buff_bronc_fan on July 2, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Not one of them mentioned Cody is too short?"
Well that's because it's common knowledge at this point... Everyone knows Cody is an awesome QB-- for his size. That's the key qualifier.
He may be the biggest overachiever on the team-- but that doesn't mean he can hold Chase Daniel's jock. I soooo hope Cody makes me eat my words, but seeing that tiny frame of his in the picture just reminded me how we're still a few years off here @ CU.
Posted by goldenchild on July 2, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I loved watching Clark's video, the kid is a beast.. I don't mind having 2 QB's in this class. Now lets get some D Lineman. GO BUFFS!
Posted by MDBuff on July 2, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Evans also considered Cal, Az State, and ND. ESPN scouting report: Evans is a big, strong, powerful passer with deceptive athleticism and feet. He is not a true dual-threat in every sense of the phrase, but he will surprise you with his ability to improvise and make some plays when things break down. Has excellent size and arm strength and puts good zip on deep out patterns. Is a better passer in the pocket, but throws effectively on the run. Flashes the ability to fit the ball into tight spaces and has a good sense of timing. Is excellent off of play-action and his balls skills are very good. Can be accurate when sets feet and flashes the ability to lead receivers when throwing underneath. Possesses good pocket presence and doesnt take too many big hits because he can elude. Plays with good intensity and is a leader on the filed. Is a drop-back, pro-style quarterback until he gets on the move and he can then be dangerous. Is very difficult to tackle because of his bulk and size, but he is not going to wiggle and make people miss. He can plant and cut and get upfield. Much like Daunte Culpepper. Evans' arm is solid, but at times he does appear to wind-up some. He gets rid of the ball quickly, but his delivery is not as compact especially on the deep ball. He plays with confidence and knows he can make something happen. Has tools and at times looks very polished and consistent in his mechanics and methods. In the spring, he is an underrated prospect, but by the fall he will not be. Good player, athlete and passer.
Posted by MinnesotaBuff on July 2, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This kid is a stud. The future continues to look bright for the Buffs.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=71U0Bp5IvwU
Posted by extrapoint on July 2, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
2 QBs?
Lokks like whosyourpotty isnt doing a very good job "helping people to understand"
Posted by CABuffalo on July 2, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, looks like Tall and WhosYourMommy will have to get all of their height obsessed comments in during the Cody era, after that they will go into withdraws and die.
Posted by RealTalk6236 on July 2, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This program is definitely on the rise, however it seems to be merely a rise to mediocrity.
Posted by extrapoint on July 2, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
that kind of bait works a lot better in lincon, real tall
Posted by Ralphie2 on July 2, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START!!!
Posted by halluxvalgus on July 2, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
perhaps people have seen my comments for the last 9 months (some of) which have touted Clark Evans. He is awesome, probably the 2nd best QB in CA this year. I saw him twice last year live and I thought he was a game changer, because he was almost always the best player on the field, against superior competition.
I worry that he'll blow up this year (his top 3 receivers all come back, and the traditional Orange County powers are a little down) and some of the bigger schools will come sniffing around (I'm looking at you, Oregon).
Evans just runs dudes over. He's got a good arm that gets better every year (He should break 63% accuracy this year), and by the time he gets to CU, he'll be playing at 225 pounds. My ma is a stud. I'll be at several of his games this year, and I'll make sure to wear my "It Ain't Intramurals" tee shirts... and I'll make it a point that he notices.
Posted by flabuff227 on July 3, 2008 at 2:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
realtalk- U guys aren,t getting greene. Sorry to reign on your parade buddy.
You are as coherent as your comment.
go buffs! Huge pick up
Posted by rodrigo on July 3, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting that Nebraska folks continue to troll around... When I look at the list of QB commits for 2009 I see Colorado has two and Nebraska has none.
Let's see: Ganz is a senior and the drop off to #2 is huge. Didn't NU get the memo that this ain't intramurals?
Hawkins is a soph. and the talent behind him expands exponentially.
BoP better know d cuz at this rate the cornnuts will have to win games 2-0.
Gone are the days when the red can pick and choose who gets to play in Lincoln.
Posted by rswright on July 3, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stick with football.
Posted by rodrigo on July 3, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gosh rs. I thought talking about quarterbacks and commitments was football.
What dictionary are you using?
Posted by extrapoint on July 3, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what rs meant to say was
"stick with tennis"
the frustration with his dyslexia is probably the root cause of the anger that also shows up in his arguments
Posted by RealTalk6236 on July 3, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its real talk what can I say. I love CU football. But can you really expect this product actually win a title? Maybe 4 years from now when coach finally gets a real QB in there.
Posted by rodrigo on July 3, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please. Another cornpone posing as a Buff fan.
The answer to your question is yes, in 2009, which, speaking of mediocrity, will be a lot sooner than Nebraska wins a title of any kind (other then that of once-huge-program-trying-not-embarrass-itself. Competition's stiff, and Notre Dame and Miami both have a head start)
Posted by extrapoint on July 3, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Real Talk my dyin a**
I pull the same stunt on the hukster sites.
Over there you have to pretend to be a fan or they pull your post.
big red buckets of insecurity
Posted by RealTalk6236 on July 3, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fine fake talk it is. We have some ballers out there! we are awesome. We have so much speed on offense! Cody is such a threat.
Posted by extrapoint on July 3, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks for identifying your comment on speed and Cody as they are....
fake talk
now for some facts
Stewart and Lockridge are both 4.4
Scott showed up at a combine and ran a 4.38
J-fly is probably in that 4.4 range. Everyone could use some more speed but we arent exactly broke.
As for Cody being a threat, there are 3 high profile teams that would agree....huksters, bufooners and the red faders.
Posted by extrapoint on July 3, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
speed on offense?
I almost forgot Solder, who may be the starting left tackle....from all reports has some of the quickest feet for a left tackle anywhere around.
Posted by RealTalk6236 on July 3, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok im through be stuck in denial if you want to be. I’m not going to waste my time anymore. bye bye
Posted by rodrigo on July 3, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, that was weak. The dude caved in with hardly a fight. Flabuff was right... he must have been a Husker.
Posted by rodrigo on July 3, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey rs... who wins: Serena or Venus?
Posted by extrapoint on July 3, 2008 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kinda cute the way tall tries to hide behind the broken sentences
Posted by flabuff227 on July 4, 2008 at 2:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
please ! dont waste any more time.
As for RS- He only argues when theirs something negative to argue about.
Like i said: cut the prozacs in half.
btw- u never commented on the hypolite story.
Will u ever come out with your true agenda.
"its not a lie, if you believe it".
Posted by rswright on July 7, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Still smarting Rod? Get over it. If you really love CU, it has 15 sports all worth some attention. Teams which earn national championships, represent CU well and make alums proud to be Buffs. Try some on for size. Remember they are "innocent until proven guilty". Tee hee.
Posted by extrapoint on July 7, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"tee hee????"
all fairy like emotings aside, this is a football forum. I didnt see any "attaboys" or any comments at all from rs under tha latest gilf articles.
Posted by rswright on July 7, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The latest Gilf articles? Well done Baringer. Know who that is EP?
Posted by rodrigo on July 7, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ah, tall's girlfriend and rs... best friends forever.
1) I give to the university every year.
2) I give to the athletic department every year.
3) I am currently donating five hours a week (at least) to volunteer causes.
Smarting? From what? Being able to back up what I say?
Now it's your turns.
First rs.
Then surfy (by the way, get a your own name. Here's the real surfrider: http://www.surfrider.org/ - another org. I've given money to).
Posted by rodrigo on July 7, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ep,
I don't think rs got it.
Posted by rodrigo on July 7, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rs,
My congratulations to CU's Beijing-bound runners were posted on the Buffzone last week. Get up to speed, pard.
Posted by extrapoint on July 7, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rs doesnt get it because it is rs against the world.
and I....uh.....cant bring myself to say gulf.
Posted by rodrigo on July 8, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks, surfy. Actually, ep lives in Minnesota. I live in New York. And we've been through this dating thing before. Remember?
Curious. If you're really a Buff fan, what's your gripe?
Posted by extrapoint on July 8, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
forget rodrigo
smurfrider has me all steamed up now. When I come for him, I'm going to grab him by his pencil neck,
bend him in half and make him squeal like a pig.
unlike in "Deliverence," however,
he be lovin'it.
Posted by rodrigo on July 8, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
wow. is that funny?
Posted by rodrigo on July 8, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hot and muggy, as too be expected.
Fair enough, then. Never heard anyone suggest it was harder to make it in Boulder than NYC before but whatever. I actually grew up in CO and moved the other way.
Since we're both committed Buffs, I don't see where or why we should butt heads...
Posted by rodrigo on July 8, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, I have a different take on the exchanges with our resident problem children.
I think it's fun. I hope they smile cuz I do. Every once in a while I even laugh out loud, show my wife or forward to my friends. Why else do it?
The key is to not take it too seriously. That makes one rs or a cornnut.
Posted by extrapoint on July 8, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
between Colorado and Wisconsin, I'm trying to figure out where the surfrider thing came from.
know why they dont waterski in Nebraska?
they cant find a lake that goes downhill.
Posted by rodrigo on July 8, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Righteous. How long until the cornfolk start with the hippie cracks?
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