ESPN's Spring Breakdown

ESPN recently wrote up their post-spring breakdowns on each of the BCS conferences. Tim Griffin, columnist for the San Antonio Express News covered the Big 12 and I personally feel he is one of the better authority's on the conference. I think the most important of his spring answers is the new found offensive line depth. If the Buffs D is just above average I really believe the line will be the difference between a .500 season and a great one.

Colorado Buffaloes

2007 overall record: 6-7 2007 conference record: 4-4 Returning starters Offense: 7, defense: 8, kicker/punter: 1 Top returners QB Cody Hawkins, WR Scotty McKnight, C Daniel Sanders, T Ryan Miller, TB Demetrius Sumler, DT George Hypolite, DE Maurice Lucas, CB Gardner McKay, LB Jeff Smart Key losses RB Hugh Charles, LB Jordon Dizon, T Tyler Polumbus, G Kai Maiava, G Edwin Harrison, CB Terrence Wheatley, DE Alonzo Barrett 2007 statistical leaders (* returners) Rushing: Hugh Charles (989 yds) Passing: Cody Hawkins* (2,693 yds) Receiving: Scotty McKnight* (488 yds) Tackles: Jordon Dizon (160) Sacks: George Hypolite* (6) Interceptions: Terrence Wheatley (5) Spring answers 1. Devenny develops: Converted QB Patrick Devenny has emerged as a starter at tight end after producing six receptions for 121 yards and two TDs in a late scrimmage that preceded the spring game. "He can run, he can catch, he's got good hands and he's developed some confidence," Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said. 2. Offensive line depth: Considering that only six offensive linemen worked last spring, Colorado offensive line coach Jeff Grimes had an embarrassment of riches this spring with 13. The extra numbers helped foster competition for a young group that includes only two seniors-to-be, C Daniel Sanders and G Erick Faatagi. Sophomore Nate Solder, a 6-foot-8, 280-pound converted tight end, was one of the spring's biggest surprises and is listed as first team at left tackle on the post-spring depth chart. 3. Crowd support: The Buffaloes attracted a record crowd of 17,800 to their spring game, proving that fans are eager to gravitate to a little "Hawk love" during the upcoming season. "It was great -- really fun," Hawkins told the Rocky Mountain News about the record spring crowd. "It helps the players; they got energized by it. It was a great day. We just have to keep building and going." Fall questions 1. Finding a starting cornerback: Terrence Wheatley was the Buffaloes' top playmaker last season and the kind of player that opposing teams tried to avoid. Considering the plethora of top aerial attacks in the Big 12, the need for a replacement is immediate. Gardner McKay will get the first look during the summer practices, but expect Hawkins to juggle several options before settling on a starter. 2. Running back: Freshman Darrell Scott is the most ballyhooed recruit of Hawkins' tenure. Look for Scott to immediately jump into contention to replace Hugh Charles, last season's top rusher. Demetrius Sumler got much of the playing time during the spring, and Kevin Moyd and Brian Lockridge will also be in the hunt. Scott should be the prime ball carrier by conference play, although Colorado likely will juggle several players in the feature role earlier in the season. 3. Special teams: Hawkins chose to look at his team's struggles in protecting the punter late in the spring as a positive. He said the four blocked punts at the final two scrimmages were an indication of increased athleticism on the special teams rather than leaky blocking schemes. But it still won't keep him and most Colorado fans from holding their collective breath before P Matt DiLallo's first few punts of the 2008 season.

ESPN Big 12 North Breakdown
ESPN Big 12 South Breakdown