ESPN Pac 12 South FB Preview

[boydbuff]

Video and article:
http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/69899/spring-preview-capsules-pac-12-south

What to watch:

• QB development: Sefo Liufau's development will be interesting if for nothing else than because the jump from Year 1 starter to Year 2 starter is always intriguing with quarterbacks. It's tempting to assume a big statistical jump is coming, but it's not always that simple (see: Hogan, Kevin; Mannion, Sean; Hundley, Brett). Liufau will need to get on the same page with his receivers as they combine to …
• … Replace Paul Richardson: Look for Nelson Spruce, D.D Goodson and Tyler McCulloch to lead what will be a much more balanced receiving corps following Richardson's early departure for the NFL. Spruce was the Buffs' second-leading receiver last year, but Goodson, going into his second season at receiver, figures to make the biggest jump.
• Rising expectations: It took MacIntyre three years to turn San Jose State into a winner, but there was a four-win improvement in the second year. He won't match that with the Buffs, but a two-win improvement gets Colorado bowl eligible. Colorado has a chance to match last year's win total (4) in the first five games next year: vs. Colorado State, at Massachusetts, Arizona State, Hawaii, at Cal. In fact, it's probably the internal expectation.

 

[stretch]

I don't think those are the receivers that we will look towards to ease the pain of losing Richardson. If we have to look at McCulloch as a main receiving threat we are in trouble.

 

[aik]

I don't think those are the receivers that we will look towards to ease the pain of losing Richardson. If we have to look at McCulloch as a main receiving threat we are in trouble.

Agree. Feels more like going back to 2012 when we had the same problem because Paul was out for the year. Spruce was a nice surprise then but the offense had little else going for it. Blocking will be the key for all aspects of our offensive gameplan showing life and I am really counting on a true freshman or two factoring heavily in the improvement.

4-1 would be a really nice start. Even then we could still finish with just 4, 5, or 6 wins with a much tougher back half to play, but it would signal to me that we're at least winning the games we're expected to have a chance in and take some of the burden off trying to do too much to get a few wins in November.

 

[TDbuff]

Agree. Feels more like going back to 2012 when we had the same problem because Paul was out for the year.

The upgrade from 2012 is we'll be looking to redshirt freshmen(Bobo, Dunston) and Ross who didn't do much, but he got some time at least. And then you have this class of Lee Walker who'll get a spring under his belt, and then Fields and Lee in the Fall.

2012 was pretty desperate considering any hopes of a dynamic playmaker were pinned to Gerald Thomas after J. Thomas started his issues.

 

[Eggon]

The upgrade from 2012 is we'll be looking to redshirt freshmen(Bobo, Dunston) and Ross who didn't do much, but he got some time at least. And then you have this class of Lee Walker who'll get a spring under his belt, and then Fields and Lee in the Fall.

2012 was pretty desperate considering any hopes of a dynamic playmaker were pinned to Gerald Thomas after J. Thomas started his issues.

+1

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

Agree. Feels more like going back to 2012 when we had the same problem because Paul was out for the year. Spruce was a nice surprise then but the offense had little else going for it. Blocking will be the key for all aspects of our offensive gameplan showing life and I am really counting on a true freshman or two factoring heavily in the improvement.

4-1 would be a really nice start. Even then we could still finish with just 4, 5, or 6 wins with a much tougher back half to play, but it would signal to me that we're at least winning the games we're expected to have a chance in and take some of the burden off trying to do too much to get a few wins in November.

I think 4-1 would be what the team will expect to reach in those first 5. They won't voice those expectations but I think the coaching staff and the team thinks they can get there. From there, OSU and Utah present the best options for wins #5 and #6. Maybe UW at home, but I wouldn't count on it. Who knows how peterson will handle the suspensions. I think next year we will see some real vulnerability in some of the top teams in the conference, but not this one.

 

[sackman]

We're still, at best, the fifth best team out of the six in the P12 South. Getting UU at home might be just the nudge we need.

 

[Quattro]

We're still, at best, the fifth best team out of the six in the P12 South. Getting UU at home might be just the nudge we need.

Arizona could fall off quite a bit


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[Duff Man]

Arizona could fall off quite a bit


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Actually Zona could be the dark horse in the South. Really good WRs and experienced on the OL.

ASU may be the team taking a sizable step back.

 

[Quattro]

Actually Zona could be the dark horse in the South. Really good WRs and experienced on the OL.

ASU may be the team taking a sizable step back.

I'm just wondering if they can replace another QB and Carey and still win 7 or 8 games.


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[Duff Man]

I think they will be fine at QB. Carey is a big loss.

ASU is basically replacing their entire defense from last year and Kelly was marginal at times in 2013.

 

[sackman]

ASU has to fall an awful long way before we have a good shot at them, IMO. Again, that game is in Boulder, so maybe a little home cooking will help. I'm hopeful that MM will get them to play above their heads a few times this year. Maybe ASU will be one of those games. We are certainly an easy team to overlook.


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