Unleash Hell
Well-Known Member
OFFENSE 9 starters returning
Last season the Buffs went through one of their worst seasons ever offensively, mainly due to the fact that they could not find a QB that could get the job done. The bad news is Colorado is still looking for a QB going into the 2007 season. Last years QB Bernard Jackson has been moved back to WR/RB and returner, and the QB chase is clearly between Cody Hawkins and Nick Nelson, with Hawkins having the slight lead coming out of spring ball. The buffs must find their man shortly after fall practices start so the team can start to gel around him.
The buffs also need help at WR , were the talent level is down. There were three very talented WR’s taken in this years recuiting class, and they are expected to make an immediate impact which would be a huge boost as well.
At RB, the Buffs signed the top RB coming out of Junior College in PT Gates. The only problem is it might be hard for Gates to qualigy academically. Gates currently says he is on track to be in Boulder and on the field this fall, but the proof will be in the pudding in August. If Gates gets in, he should provide an immediate spark and help to Hugh Charles and Demetrius Summler.
The Buffs must get the breaks on the O-line as weel. They did not even have enough O-linemen to field at times during spring ball. Hawkins is recruiting more O-linemen, but this is a position that you rarely see immediate impacts from freshmen in the college ranks. The buffs are gonna have to pray for no injuries on the line this fall.
DEFENSE 7 starters returning
The D is what kept Colorado in all their games last year. If the Colorado defense had better support from the offense, they could have possibly won the five games they lost by five points or less. Colorado also trailed OU 10-3 going into the 4th, and had Nebraska tied at 14 late in the third, before the defense just couldn’t take it anymore.
The buffs were tough against the run and expect that to continue with a solid D-line and LB core. The area CU needs to improve are on D is the passing defense. The buffs allowed a 66 percent completion rate last year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The best placekicker in school history is now gone to the NFL. However Kevin Eberhart is still an accurate kicker, he just doesn’t have the power in his leg to consistently hit FG’s from 50 and 60 yards like Crosby did.
Matt Dilallo is one of the best punters in the Big 12 and he should continue the tradition of great punters at Colorado.
The return game must improve from last year, expect Bernard Jackson and possibly one of the speedy incoming freshmen to help oit Stephone Robinson.
OVERALL
What do Bob Stoops, Jim Tressell, and Urban Meyer all have in common? They all won national titles in their second year of coaching their current programs.
Don’t expect Dan Hawkins to join that list, but do expect a more fundamentally sound and improved team in Boulder for the 2007 season. However a much tougher schedule will make it difficult to see a flip flop in the record like you saw in 2000 and 2001, 6-7 wins and a bowl game should make buff fans happy and would be a great improvement and set momentum for the ’08 recruiting class and season, where I’m calling for Colorado to really start to make some noise in Hawkins third season.
2007 schedule
CSU W
@ Arizona St. L
Florida St. L
Miami, Oh. W
Oklahoma L
@ Baylor W
@ Kansas St. Toss up
Kansas W
@ Texas Tech L
Missouri Toss Up
@ Iowa St. W
Nebraska Toss up
Last season the Buffs went through one of their worst seasons ever offensively, mainly due to the fact that they could not find a QB that could get the job done. The bad news is Colorado is still looking for a QB going into the 2007 season. Last years QB Bernard Jackson has been moved back to WR/RB and returner, and the QB chase is clearly between Cody Hawkins and Nick Nelson, with Hawkins having the slight lead coming out of spring ball. The buffs must find their man shortly after fall practices start so the team can start to gel around him.
The buffs also need help at WR , were the talent level is down. There were three very talented WR’s taken in this years recuiting class, and they are expected to make an immediate impact which would be a huge boost as well.
At RB, the Buffs signed the top RB coming out of Junior College in PT Gates. The only problem is it might be hard for Gates to qualigy academically. Gates currently says he is on track to be in Boulder and on the field this fall, but the proof will be in the pudding in August. If Gates gets in, he should provide an immediate spark and help to Hugh Charles and Demetrius Summler.
The Buffs must get the breaks on the O-line as weel. They did not even have enough O-linemen to field at times during spring ball. Hawkins is recruiting more O-linemen, but this is a position that you rarely see immediate impacts from freshmen in the college ranks. The buffs are gonna have to pray for no injuries on the line this fall.
DEFENSE 7 starters returning
The D is what kept Colorado in all their games last year. If the Colorado defense had better support from the offense, they could have possibly won the five games they lost by five points or less. Colorado also trailed OU 10-3 going into the 4th, and had Nebraska tied at 14 late in the third, before the defense just couldn’t take it anymore.
The buffs were tough against the run and expect that to continue with a solid D-line and LB core. The area CU needs to improve are on D is the passing defense. The buffs allowed a 66 percent completion rate last year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The best placekicker in school history is now gone to the NFL. However Kevin Eberhart is still an accurate kicker, he just doesn’t have the power in his leg to consistently hit FG’s from 50 and 60 yards like Crosby did.
Matt Dilallo is one of the best punters in the Big 12 and he should continue the tradition of great punters at Colorado.
The return game must improve from last year, expect Bernard Jackson and possibly one of the speedy incoming freshmen to help oit Stephone Robinson.
OVERALL
What do Bob Stoops, Jim Tressell, and Urban Meyer all have in common? They all won national titles in their second year of coaching their current programs.
Don’t expect Dan Hawkins to join that list, but do expect a more fundamentally sound and improved team in Boulder for the 2007 season. However a much tougher schedule will make it difficult to see a flip flop in the record like you saw in 2000 and 2001, 6-7 wins and a bowl game should make buff fans happy and would be a great improvement and set momentum for the ’08 recruiting class and season, where I’m calling for Colorado to really start to make some noise in Hawkins third season.
2007 schedule
CSU W
@ Arizona St. L
Florida St. L
Miami, Oh. W
Oklahoma L
@ Baylor W
@ Kansas St. Toss up
Kansas W
@ Texas Tech L
Missouri Toss Up
@ Iowa St. W
Nebraska Toss up