CU beat writer Kyle Ringo joined us March 13 for a live Web chat about CU football. What follows is a transcript of that chat.

DC_Moderator: As soon as some folks show up we'll get started.

KRingo: Well we can start with a few questions emailed early for the chat.

Mike from Boulder wants to know when we can expect the return of the Jeremy Bloom days when he actually watched kick returns because there was a possibility of gaining yardage.

Mike, I'm not sure what team you were watching in 2007, but Terrence Wheatley and Chase McBride actually did fairly well in kickoff returns and punt returns. I do think the coming season could bring further improvement. Lamont Smith and Rodney Stewart are supposed to be excellent return men. I'd expect one or both of them to make some plays back there. I don't know if either is as electric as Bloom used to be.

KRingo: I'm thinking Thursday at noon is not a good time for chat.

DC_Moderator: I"m thinking the same

DC_Moderator: What happened to that guy from last week who suggested noon as a good time?

KRingo: I don't blame people for not wanting to waste their lunch hour with me.

DC_Moderator: well, here's another e-mailed question:

KRingo: I like emailed questions

KRingo: At this point, I like any questions

DC_Moderator: From Gino in Kansas City:

DC_Moderator: I have a question about Nate Soldier (at the TE position). He is like 6.9. or 6.10., right?

DC_Moderator: If that is the case I wonder why when the Buffs are inside the 5 yard line, they don.t send Soldier down the middle and throw A .jump ball. to him in the end zone?

DC_Moderator: I mean what DB can out jump a 6.10. TE.

KRingo: I think Nate is accurately about 6-8, maybe, 6-9. I think it's a good idea to go to the big guy on the goal line. I don't know that I would send him down the middle, but your point is well taken.

gnidy0320: it's been about six years since we saw CU in a National Poll (Coaches or AP) - is CU ready to make a national move again?

KRingo: Solder is going to try tackle this spring. Coaches think he could be perfectly suited to left tackle, a spot that requires excellent athleticism and size.

KRingo: Yeah, I think the Buffs could see the polls again as soon as 2008, but some things have to go their way. By the way, it was Nov. 12, 2005, the last time the Buffs were ranked. That day they lost at Iowa State beginning the end of the Gary Barnett era

MontanaBuff: Greetings - which of the "forgotten" running backs do you see having the best spring?

KRingo: I think Demetrius Sumler will have a good spring. He's been here for two full years. He had 100 carries last fall. He knows what is expected of him and he has the opportunity he has been waiting for. He also has Earl Campbell-like thighs. He could become a powerful runner

KRingo: I've never felt more lonely

DC_Moderator: Here's another e-mailed question from Jeremey:

KRingo: This is sad

DC_Moderator: Kyle, thanks for your work.

DC_Moderator: Understandably the AD has refocused it's resources to improving the BBall facilities.

DC_Moderator: When will we'll likely see renewed efforts for the football facilities?

DC_Moderator: I know Coach Hawk has expressed a desire to fill in Folsom's north end, is this likely in the short or mid-term?

DC_Moderator: Any idea what the AD's facilities wishlist/timeline is?

KRingo: Jeremy, I think this is going to take some time. I'd be surprised if it was done any time soon. For one, it's a public university and things such as this take a lot of time to plan, approve and build. And we haven't even talked about funding it yet.

MontanaBuff: How's about the DB's? Can CU compete with two redshirt freshmen at the corners? I guess being ranked 100+ four times this decade in pass defense, it can't get much worse. But can CU, with all of the prolific offenses in the Big 12, hope to post a winning conference record until corner play improves?

KRingo: Football has benefitted most from donations recently. The department needs to get the basketball practice facility built and some improvements made to the soccer fields and track. I think Mike Bohn wants to invest in football as much as possible because iit's the only moneymaker, but a project like that is going to take a huge effort

afbuff: Kyle, any thoughts on how this spring practice will go? Do you think we'll have a good pulse on most of the starting lineup by the end? I know Coach Hawk doesn't like to announce the starters, but my feeling is outside of TB and parts of the defense, we should have a pretty good idea of how the lineup will look against CSU

KRingo: That's a very good question from MontanaBuff. Getting the Cornerback spots figured out is, perhaps, the most important area this spring. I think Jimmy Smith, Jalil Brown and Anthony Wright could all play and be successful at the Big 12 level. They will endure a few bumps though because there are plenty of prolific offenses in the conference

KRingo: I think by the end of spring, we will have a much better idea of who is going to be in the mix and who isn't. There definitely won't be any decisions made about starters, but the top 15 guys on offense and defense should be pretty clear

LoHiBuffFan: Kyle, what are the biggest recruiting priorities this recruiting cycle?

MontanaBuff: Was Katoa the only early enrollee? Any word on how he is adjusting to college life? Will he be a factor this spring? What about Sipili? How is he doing?

KRingo: Coach Hawkins ia always focused on the trenches in recruiting. You can bet he will sign a few linemen on both sides of the ball. This team needs some help at defensive end, cornerback and wide receiver

afbuff: Kyle, have you heard any estimates from the AD on how many people they think will attend the Spring game? I'd be very surprised if more than 18K showed and would happy with anything over 15K--it's still a big improvement from years past.

KRingo: This staff has really started to fill some of the holes on the depth chart. I think the 2009 class is going to be pretty balanced across the board as far as positions go. One area they might be able to make a big splash is at quarterback.

LoHiBuffFan: How legit are Mizzou and KU? Is the Big 12 North going to be considered stronger then the South next year?

KRingo: I would be very surprised as well, especially because the department has been so slow to react to coach McCartney's challenge. He called out the department and CU fans well over a month ago now and the department just started hyping things up a little this week. That is not good enough to get a crowd of 50,000. To tell the truth, I don't think the folks in the department believe it's realistic and their reaction to the challenge demonstrates that.

KRingo: Sorry, having trouble typing today

KRingo: Mizzou is totally legit and will compete for the Big 12 title again. Though I think the Tigers are beatable. Kansas is going to be solid once again. The quarterback has proven himself at this point, but KU has to play some real teams this season before November. The Jayhawks get both Texas and Oklahoma. They won't going undefeated that's for sure

KRingo: I don't think the North ever will be considered stronger than the South.

MontanaBuff: Any new buzz on a contract extension for Hawkins? I remember your taking the position ( or was it Neill?) that CU should wait another season. Seems prudent to wait for a winning record to be posted before making new commitments, although the positive PR Hawkins has brought to the program is priceless..

KRingo: It was me taking the position that it would be best to wait. I stand by that.

KRingo: I would expect a contract to get done before training camp begins. I would expect it to include a bump in pay for both Hawkins and his assistants. Mike Bohn is already sold on this one and ready to get it done.

LoHiBuffFan: Do you know what Hawks' relationship with Jeff Bzdelik is like?

KRingo: I know they talk and are friendly. They're still getting to know each other. I know Bzdelik has looked to Hawkins for advice about handling the slow pace at which things get done at CU.

MontanaBuff: Who do think will be in the starting lineup at linebacker come Aug. 30th? Will Katoa and Major be factors? What about Sipili?

afbuff: assuming the extension gets done, will we likely see a raise in Hawk's buy-out clause? I don't see him going anywhere else, but it's always good to CYA.

KRingo: There are administrators at CU, and I'm not talking about people in the athletic department, who think it's supposed to take months to accomplish simple tasks. This has frustrated Bohn, Hawkins, Bzdelik and many others for a long time. The bureaucracy is ridiculous at CU and firmly entrenched

LoHiBuffFan: Is this a unique situation at CU? or do a lot of major university athletic departments have this problem?

KRingo: Here are my guess for starters at linebacker. I'll go with Brad Jones, Michael Sipili and Jeff Smart. I think Katoa Shawn Mohler and Major could all work their way into significant playing time by the end of the year. The position is really deep now, but a lot of inexperience

KRingo: I think the buyout clause will stay the same, but it will start over from the date the new contract begins.

KRingo: Some bureaucracy is normal anywhere, but the best athletic departments are those that are allowed to run more like businesses and less like government

MontanaBuff: Any info on the two new kickers? Does either have an edge from the outset, or is this another battle which won't be decided until August?

LoHiBuffFan: Will Dizon play linebacker on Sundays?

KRingo: It definitely won't be decided until August. Why would it? I think both are good and it could very well be that one handles kickoffs and the other handles field goals. In fact, I'm sort of leaning that way. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jameson Davis take the kickoff job and Aric Goodman end up as the man for field goals. I'm told Davis probably has the stronger leg, so maybe he handles longer attempts. There hasn't been a battle at this position in years. Should be interesting

KRingo: Dizon will play on Sundays. He might start off playing special teams but I'd be surprised if he wasn't on somebody's roster.

KRingo: I saew Terrence Wheatley the other day. He looks bigger. He was happy with how the combine went. He ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash. I think he might be the first Buff picked.

MontanaBuff: Having been around the weight room/locker room etc. in the offseason, any feel for the overall team mood? The fans on the internet are certainly more upbeat, but how are the players' attitudes, compared to say, last year, when the team was coming off a 2-10 season? Grim determination? Cautious optimism? Cocky?

KRingo: Ok, so I'm about done unless there are more questions

KRingo: Anyone?

KRingo: Crickets

KRingo: Seriously, thanks for all the questions. These chats are always fun. Maybe we'll do the next one in two weeks in the evening and see if it's a more convenient time.

MontanaBuff: For anyone left - check out www.cuatthegame.com I would appreciate your comments.