Big 12 Round Table - Take 1

So, after seeing this on the Crimson and Cream Machine, we loved the idea about previewing the upcoming CU football season and seeing how others rated the Buffs. So far, pretty good respect for Colorado. I think most of the Big 12 has gained respect for CU over the last 12 months and believe they are on the right track to becoming a contender in the conference. Check out what we think about the team and the upcoming season and head over to the C&C Machine to see what the other Big 12 blogs are saying about their '08 squads.

1. Who are some of the new faces that emerged in the spring who could be serious playmakers for your team this fall?

We are still waiting for the playmaker(s) on defense to emerge but on offense there are a few new faces that we have seen and have not seen that we hope make a splash this year. Demetrius Sumler will probably enter the year as RB1* and he earned that spot this spring being the most impressive runner of the bunch but that RB1 has a big asterisks next to it as Darrell Scott and Ray Polk are two prized recruits that will compete with Sumler in the summer. Should be the battle of the year.

I also have a good feeling about freshman wide receivers Markques Simas and Soph Josh Smith who finally look to break the unathletic trend at WR for the Buffs. You could finally see some size and speed that the Buffs have lacked in previous years. With a relatively experienced QB in Hawkins delivering the ball, this offense could be the most potent offense CU has had in years especially if TE’s Riar Greer is able to play this year (arrested in the off season) and Pat Devenney continues to impress. I am also intrigued to see Jon Major and Lynn Katoa on the field, hopefully being big time contributors to a defense that lost its only two big playmakers to the NFL from last year.

2. What is your biggest concern following the spring?

For as optimistic as my first answer was, there are plenty of concerns for the Buffs this year. Notice above that I didn’t really mention any playmakers with experience. The team will be very inexperienced and many freshman and sophomores will be expected to play important roles early.

Also, Jake Duren (LB), Riar Greer (TE) and Lynn Katoa (LB) have all been arrested this summer for one thing or another which resulted in Duren getting kicked off the team and the other two not being able to participate in the spring session. Greer and Katoa’s season and career status is still up in the air. All three of these players had a pretty good shot at being starters so filling these voids are definitely a concern.

To tell you the truth, my biggest concern is the rest of the Big 12 and the Buffs early season schedule. I have been amazed at the attention the Big 12 is getting this spring especially at the QB position. You have 10 legitimate QB’s returning in the conference this year including a few Heisman candidates in Chase Daniel, Todd Reesing and Sam Bradford who are big time gamers. Regarding the CU schedule, all that needs to be said is that in the first 6 games the Buffs play Colorado State, Eastern Washington, West Virginia, @ Florida State, Texas and @ Kansas. They may start 2 – 0 but 4 losses could follow. Who knows how a young team like the Buffs will respond if that happens.

3. Any major changes (philosophy, coaching or personnel) that you are concerned about?

There is not a lot of concern with the philosophy or the coaching. You could say the no-huddle offense might be a little bit of a concern but I don’t think it will be an issue. I am more excited that CU is finally getting the athletes to be able to do some of these offensive wrinkles that made coach Hawkins so intriguing at Boise State.

I still think that there is cause for concern around the front 7. With Katoa’s year in jeopardy, Duren already kicked off the team and Jordan Dizon graduating, the LB core supposed depth is falling by the wayside. The Buffs have an experienced but not a great starting defensive line in George Hypolite, Brandon Nicolas and Maurice Lucas. Switching back and forth between a 4 – 3 and a 3 – 4, which they might be forced to do, is a change that will lead to broken assignments and confusion the field.

4. Looking over the 2008 schedule which home and away game are you most concerned about?

Toughest question on the board. I am going to skip the first 8 because lets face it, 5 of the games concern me and they could lose all 5 play at Missouri, Florida State and Kansas and at home versus Texas and West Virginia. So let’s say the Buffs are 3 – 5 or maybe 4 - 4 after 8 games. They will have 4 games remaining to get bowl eligible. I think they beat Texas A&M but it is in College Station so it could go either way. For arguments sake let’s say they win. Iowa State should be a W. I am concerned about the last two games of the year as I seem them not only as games which get them into a bowl, but games they must win to keep momentum in Boulder and on the recruiting trail. Losing to the Pokes at home and Nebraska on the road would leave them on the outside looking in. This is truly a question that needs to be revisited after the West Virginia game.

5. Time for your way too early predictions (Yes, you can change them in August). Rank how you see your division finishing up this coming season.

BIG 12 NORTH

1. Missouri – Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin…enough said.
2. Kansas – Its tough for me to think that they can do it again but the way Reesing played last year, its hard to vote against them. They did lose two playmakers at CB and WR. Once again, Kansas plays a cupcake non conference schedule with the exception of South Florida of who tailed off towards the end of the year in 2007.
3. Colorado – Yes, I think 7 – 5 or 8 – 4 will be good enough to be 3^rd in the conference. The Buffs are still 1 - 2 years away from being on the top. Too hard of a schedule this year coupled with a lot of youth at key positions.
4. Nebraska – The Bo Pelini era will get off to a rough start. Not enough playmakers on either side of the ball to be very competitive.
5. Kansas State – Are going to need A LOT of JUCO’s to pan out.
6. Iowa State – Did Todd Blythe finally graduate?

See you all on the field