 |
|
Friday, August 24
Colorado football preview
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
After Colorado finished with a 7-5 record that included a one-sided victory over Boston College at the Insight.com Bowl, Gary Barnett's squad slipped to 3-8 last season, allowing several very winnable games to wind up in the loss column. However, the Buffaloes were just about as close as can be to flipping the record to 7-4 or 8-3 and another bowl opportunity.
This season, they have to eliminate costly mistakes, become a little more fortunate on the injury front, and also find a way to enjoy a strong start. Each of the past two seasons, CU has dropped its opener under Barnett. And last year, the Buffaloes ended up losing four straight games to open the campaign, with the first three losses coming by a total of just 10 points.
|
 |
|
|
Wed., Aug. 22
The Buffaloes, who play Fresno State in their opener, have injury problems at running back. Marcus Houston has had a nagging groin injury that has held him back for the last couple of weeks.
More on Colorado |
|
|
OFFENSE
Offensively, the Buffaloes appear to be just a big-time WR away from being tremendously explosive. After gaining the necessary experience as a true freshman last season, QB Craig Ochs should be ready to establish himself as winning No. 1 signal caller. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder may lack top arm strength, but he'll play an intelligent game and has the ability to create positive situations with his speed and mobility.
Benefiting Ochs in his development will be a potentially outstanding running game. Cortlen Johnson, who missed playing time last year due to injury, has proven when at full strength that he can do some damage against the top competition on the CU schedule. In contention with Johnson for playing time will be a pair of super talented second-year men, Marcus Houston and Bobby Purify. Before suffering a hip flexor injury during the third game of the season against Washington, the 6-1½, 210-pound Houston had rushed for 100 yards against Colorado State and 150 against USC. Purify, the nephew of former NFL wideout Webster Slaughter, has the all-around skills to contribute heavily to the CU attack.
|
Buffaloes at a glance
|
|
2001 schedule
Aug. 26 vs Fresno St.
Sept. 1 vs Colorado St.
Sept. 8 vs San Jose St.
Sept. 15 at Washington St.
Sept. 22 vs Kansas
Oct. 6 at Kansas St.
Oct. 13 vs Texas A&M
Oct. 20 at Texas
Oct. 27 at Oklahoma St.
Nov. 3 vs Missouri
Nov. 10 at Iowa St.
Nov. 23 vs Nebraska
2000 results
(3-8, 3-5 Big 12)
at Colorado St. L 28-24
at USC L 17-14
Washington L 17-14
Kansas St. L 44-21
at Texas A&M W 26-19
Texas L 28-14
at Kansas L 23-15
Oklahoma St. W 37-21
at Missouri W 28-18
Iowa St. L 35-27
at Nebraska L 34-32
|
After a strong showing during spring practice, junior Brandon Drumm appears to have the edge going into August over seniors Scott Nemeth and David Andrews for the starting FB job.
As I mentioned, the Buffaloes still have to develop a prime-time threat at WR. John Minardi is solid and reliable, while Roman Hollowell presents a great deal of excitement with his speed and elusiveness in the broken field. However, he's just 5-6, 165 pounds. The third option for the Buffaloes figures to be veteran Cedric Cormier, who is regarded as the fastest player on the CU squad. He's been clocked at 4.30. By the way, Hollowell is the nearest challenger to Cormier when it comes to straight-line speed.
The Buffaloes are fortunate to have a pair of quality TEs who will allow them to present some different looks to the opposition. Senior Daniel Graham ranks as one of the more underrated players at his position in college football. He's a special talent. In sophomore Quinn Sypniewski, the Buffaloes have a physically gifted performer with a ton of upside potential.
The offensive line, which is led into battle by OT Victor Rogers and OG Andre Gurode, figures to be capable of getting the job done on a consistent basis. Rogers checks in at 6-7, 320 pounds, while Gurode is 6-4, 320. Both are seniors.
DEFENSE
The key for the Buffaloes is finding a way to take some of the constant double-teaming away from blue-chip senior DT Justin Bannan. That way, he could be even more of a force when it comes to collapsing things along the interior. Working next to Bannan is 6-foot, 320-pound junior Sam Taulealea, with the rush end spot being handled by a pair of sophomores, Matt McChesney and Marques Harris. At the other DE spot, 6-5½, 265-pound junior Tyler Brayton has the potential to become a consistent force on a game-to-game basis.
At LB, everything revolves around the play of senior Jashon Sykes. Last season, he didn't produce the game-changing plays that his talent level and past track record of success tend to indicate. As a sophomore, Sykes forced a total of seven fumbles. Last season, he didn't force one. In his final campaign in Boulder, Sykes must be able to re-establish himself as a major force in the Big 12.
The Buffaloes should be able to field a capable secondary that shows improvement over last season. First of all, they have a great player setting the tempo in senior SS Michael Lewis. The rugged 6-0½, 210-pounder hits like a ton of bricks, always seems to be in position to make a play, and -- despite his physical approach -- has proven be extremely durable. In addition, sophomore Phil Jackson has the talent to establish himself as a very solid cover man in the Big 12. They also have an adequate performer at FS in senior Robbie Robinson.
At LCB, things are more unsettled. Heading into the fall, juniors Roderick Snead and Donald Strickland are in contention for the starting job, along with sophomore Clyde Surrell. However, a player who could ultimately win out at that spot is highly regarded JUCO transfer Omar Stewart. Even if he doesn't earn the starting job during fall practice, Stewart will at least fortify their corner depth, which has been a problem.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior Mark Mariscal is set as the punter, after enjoying a great spring that saw him turn some heads with his outstanding leg strength. Senior Jeremy Flores figures to handle the placekicking duties, although walk-on Pat Brougham is also reportedly in the picture.
OVERVIEW
The Buffaloes were their own worst enemy in certain games last season and also were hampered by injuries, particularly in the backfield where Johnson, Houston and Purify all missed significant playing time. With Ochs now having the necessary experience, the CU offense should be able to enjoy a great deal of success on the ground or through the air. Believe me, there aren't many teams in the country with the type of talent and depth the Buffaloes have at tailback. While they lack star power at WR, Minardi and Hollowell can get the job done. At TE, Graham qualifies as a definite blue-chipper. Along the offensive line, Gurode and Rogers should be able to clear running lanes for Johnson, Houston, and Purify.
The defense has a big-time performer along the line (DT Justin Bannan), at LB (Jashon Sykes), and in the deep patrol (SS Michael Lewis). I know I'm being optimistic placing Sykes in that category after he failed to come through with the impact-type plays last season. However, he's a talented football player who proved as a sophomore he can take his game to an All-America level. In addition to Sykes, they also need Brayton to gain the necessary consistency from his DE position. It will be interesting to see if highly regarded JUCO transfer Omar Stewart can push for significant playing time or even winning a starting job at LCB. As for special teams, they need the placekicking situation to take care of itself during fall practice.
Based on the season-opening struggles the Buffaloes have had under Barnett in Boulder, the key for the Buffaloes figures to be getting off to a fast start. We'll know an awful lot about the Buffaloes and where they may be headed after the first two games. They open with Fresno State on Aug. 25, then will be looking for double revenge against Colorado State on Sept. 1. With some success early on, the Buffaloes would have the confidence to go along with the talent.
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
|
|
