2014-15 Football Previews – (Pac-12) – Buffaloes
The Colorado Buffaloes are a ways a way from being competitive in the Pac-12. That was evidenced when they went 4-8 overall last season, and it’s even clearer when you look at their 1-8 record in conference play – a record bad enough for a last-place standing in the Pac-12 South Division.
Pac-12 Conference 2014-15 College Football Previews: CU (Link)
Head Coach: Mike MacIntyre
2013 Record: 4-8
Colorado Gambling Odds to win BCS Championship: OFF
Colorado Gambling Odds to win: Pac-12 South Division: 50-1
Colorado Gambling Odds to win Pac-12 Conference: 100-1
Luckily for Colorado, they weren’t the worst team in the Pac-12 last season. That dishonorable feat went to the California Golden Bears (1-11, 0-9 Pac-12), and in all likelihood, the Bears are
the same team that will likely keep the Buffaloes out of the basement again in 2014.
Team Strengths:
The Colorado Buffaloes have speed and talent at the skill positions. The offensive line will be their potential downfall – but more on that later.
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As strange as it sounds – although it’s not that strange considering the team’s record a year ago – the Buffaloes’ biggest strength might be punter Darragh O’Neill. Last season, he set a school record with 22 punts that landed inside of 20 yards. Knowing the way this offense performs (88th in points, 49th in passing, 110th in rushing last season), he’ll likely be relied upon once again to pin opposing offenses deep into their own territory.
Team Weaknesses:
Where do we begin…
Let’s start with defense. The team from Boulder, Colorado gave up 38.3 points per game last season, which was only good enough for 115th in the nation. The truth is that there is a glimmer of hope for this unit, as the team’s leader in tackles last year was a freshman – a freshman who is returning as a starter. Depth is also a strength, but talent is another question.
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Offensively, the line is a big-time problem. Christian Powell was the team’s leading rusher this past season, but the team only averaged 3.4 yards per carry.
One thing that will likely be considered a strength entering the year is that this group has 14 starters returning. The problem is that those starters carried this group to a single conference win in 2013, which seems like more of a problem than a luxury when you think about them making another go of it this upcoming season.
2014-15 Colorado Football Prediction: 4-8
This team is improving, but it’s in a brutally tough, potentially top-heavy conference. It’s safe to say that while being in the Pac-12 is toughening this program up, it’s also resulting in tough seasons.
At this juncture, it’s clear that the program is still in rebuilding mode. This team has only won four conference games since joining the Pac-12 three years ago, and there’s little reason to believe they’ll eclipse that number in one season.
Expect there to be only one or two Pac-12 victories in 2014, and expect another two or so in non-conference showdowns.
2014 Buffaloes Schedule
- Fri., Aug. 29 vs. Colorado State*
- Sat., Sept. 6 @ Massachusetts
- Sat., Sept. 13 vs. Arizona State
- Sat., Sept. 20 vs. Hawaii
- Sat.,, Sept. 27 @ California
- Sat., Oct. 4 vs. Oregon State
- Sat., Oct. 18 @ USC
- Sat., Oct. 25 vs. UCLA
- Sat., Nov. 1 vs. Washington
- Sat., Nov. 8 @ Arizona
- Sat., Nov. 22 @ Oregon
- Sat., Nov. 29 vs. Utah
- *Game played at neutral location.
