Colorado Football Preview

Head coach Dan Hawkins came from a well-built Boise State program to take over a struggling Colorado program. In this his third season the progression is slowly moving forward since the 2-10 major disappointment of his rookie season. This is still a young football team and their improvements may not be seen in 2008 from a final record standpoint since the conference has elevated the competition and the non-conference schedule includes Florida State and West Virginia. Sophomore Cody Hawkins, the son of the head coach, is still taking the snaps at QB after struggling much of his frosh season. He started to pick up his play the last four games of a year ago while finishing the bowl game against Alabama with over 300 yards passing. The Buffs have installed a shotgun-dominated, no-huddle offense this spring and the players love it. Three new starters will adorn the OL and the running game will feature another newbie in Darrell Scott, the nation's No. 1 prep RB of the 2008 class. The receivers have now become strength after being a sore spot the past few years. Josh Smith, who averaged 19.6 yards per catch, is the fastest man on the team. This may be the conference's best run defense with Preseason All-American George Hypolite and All-Big 12 honoree Brandon Nicolas anchoring the middle of the DL. The problem is stopping the high-powered passing attacks in the Big 12 while only getting 19 sacks last season. The DEs will have to regroup with a committee of younger, unproven faces. The plight won't get any easier as two new corners enter the fold but the safeties, as well as the DT position, are the strength of the defense. Click here for all you college football picks and football picks