2007 Colorado Buffalos College Football Picks & Predictions


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Colorado will begin the 2007 fall no knowing exactly who their quarterback will be. One thing is for sure, the Buffaloes know that whoever wins the job won’t have much college experience. Last year, Bernard Jackson led one of the worst seasons offensively in Colorado history. Coaches had estimated that they were able to use less than 50 percent of the playbook. They avoided the temptation to take the redshirt off freshman quarterback Cody Hawkins, the coach’s son. Now they are glad they didn’t.

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Hawkins emerged from the spring with a slight lead over junior college transfer Nick Jones. Bernard Jackson moved to an all-purpose role a few days into spring practice, and will see playing time at wide receiver and running back due to his athleticism. Junior Patrick Williams and seniors Alvin Barnett and Dusty Sprague have the most potential among the veteran receivers. True Freshman Markques Simas, Josh Smith and Kendrick Celestine could all make an immediate impact as well.

The Buffaloes are loaded with targets at tight end. Riar Greer led the team in receptions and receiving yards as a freshman last season. He could be one that Colorado fans will talk about for years to come if he lives up to his potential. The biggest question at running back is whether junior college transfer P.T. Gates will be academically eligible and then be able to challenge three-year starter Hugh Charles for playing time.

The Buffs have 14 defensive players who saw significant action last season. This unit finished 30 th nationally against the run, which is perhaps the biggest bright spot on this team. A big part of that run-stop success is that fact that Colorado gave up a 66 percent completion rate, despite having an All-Big 12 cornerback in Terrance Wheatley and the conference’s leader in sacks in defensive end Abraham Wright. Wheatley is back but Wright graduated, leaving a very sizable hole in the pass rush.

Junior Maurice Lucas has the body and athleticism for success at defensive end, but has really underachieved in his first two seasons. Senior Alonzo Barrett will start at the other end and figures to be pushed for playing time by redshirt freshman Marquez Herrod, a stud who showed fierce determination in the spring. Safeties Ryan Walters and Lionel Harris are two of the three returning starters in the secondary that includes the All-Big 12 corner in Terrance Wheatley. Junior Ben Burney emerged from the spring as a starter opposite Wheatley. This combination of defensive players will have to step up their game to stop the high opposing completion percentage from the 2006 season.

Dan Hawkins is too good of a coach for this Buffaloes team to struggle like they did last year in his first full season. With a very difficult schedule, a winning record and a bowl appearance would be a significant accomplishment. The Big 12 North is one of the weakest in the country, so that will allow Colorado to be competitive. Games against Florida State and at Arizona State early could dig the Buffaloes a really big hole. But if they can steal one of those two, a bowl bid will be within their reach in 2007.

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