Take this for what it's worth from a neutral poster who bets on college football and will be betting on the Buffs this season. CU is much improved on the offensive line due to getting everyone back from injury. Their running backs are a year older and are very good. Against the majority of the teams out there this will be enough to win. The QB's are still subpar. Neither one of them can throw effectively and I think more than a few are still waiting for Cody to come of age. The passing game is going to be virtually nonexistant. The reason for this is both a lack of depth and experience. The only real threats you have (Geer and McKnight) are going to be blanketed by most defenses all game. Without someone stepping up, this is a problem.
Defensively, you have the LBers and secondary to keep your team in the game. The problem is the defensive front, which is entirely unproven. If they cannot handle their men, the LBers get swallowed up and teams with good running games will run all over them.
Bottom line: In order to take out good teams like UT and OSU, you have to be balanced. If they cannot establish a reliable passing game to go along with a good running attack they will lose. I see WV running all over the defense in a hostile environment. I see Nebraska being able to shut down the run and forcing them to pass which could go either way. CU will beat teams soundly that they are supposed to, namely, KSU, ISU, aTm, CSU, WYO, and Toledo. They should beat Mizzery with their completely rebuilt defense (especially the front). NU and KU are tossup games. UT and OSU are sure losses. Sorry, just reality. CU should have 7-8 wins with a bowl game this season. Hawk keeps his job for now, but REALLY needs to step up recruiting if he hopes to take CU to the next level. Just my .02.