 |
 |
|
| | Sunday, September 3 Schedule could put Buffaloes on endangered list | |||||
| By Todd Cooper Special to ESPN.com Colorado Buffaloes 1999 Record: 7-5 overall (5-3 Big 12) Coach: Gary Barnett Returning starters: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense) Outlook The Buffaloes have a mountain to climb in the first seven weeks, when they play Colorado State, USC, Washington, Kansas State, Texas A&M and Texas. "Philosophically, I believe in playing that type of non-conference schedule to be fair to the players and fans," Colorado Coach Gary Barnett said. "Leadership will get us through it." Barnett hopes to lead the Buffaloes through it with a balanced attack that continues to build on the running game that Colorado all but abandoned during pass-happy Rick Neuheisel's realm. With Cortlen Johnson at tailback, the Buffs averaged nearly one more yard an attempt than they did in 1998. But Johnson will be running behind a rebuilt line -- only two regular starters return. In the race to replace Mike Moschetti, the coaches have what they consider two virtual linemen at quarterback -- 6-foot-4, 215-pound Zac Colvin and 6-5, 230-pound junior college transfer Bobby Pesavento. They'll be throwing to a corps of top-rate receivers, including all-conference senior Javon Green. Defensively, the Buffs must improve dramatically against the run, after finishing 10th in the conference and 83rd in the nation. Butkus Award candidate Jashon Sykes will lead that charge. Likewise, strong safety Michael Lewis will have to take charge in a secondary that lost three starters. Keep an eye on ... Parade All-American Marcus Houston -- the nation's top running back out of Denver's Thomas Jefferson High School -- could give Johnson a run for the money. It's a good season if ... The Buffaloes survive their first six games with four wins. It's a miracle season if they survive that schedule and beat Nebraska in Lincoln. Todd Cooper is a staff writer for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald |
ALSO SEE Nebraska still the one in the Big 12 | |||||