I know that lots of things will shake out in the fall... but here's what we know:
- The Buffs won two games in 2014
- The Buffs produced no draftable players in the 2015 draft
- Sports reference ranked CU at the 7th toughest Strength of Schedule in all of college football for 2014
- The Buffs ranked 67th in points per game and 39th in yards per game on offense
- The Buffs ranked 120th in points allowed.
CU had one of the worst defenses in the country last year... and an offense that seemed bowl worthy. They have a lot of work to do in order to make it to a bowl. I think the Buffs were better than their record indicated, but they obviously have some massive holes.
Quarterback
I'm on record as saying I like Sefo a lot. He's a good leader, he says all the right things and no one wants to win more than him... unfortunately his desire to win isn't impacting his decision making because he has a knack for throwing the pick 6. I'm not calling for replacing him because I don't think there's another QB on the roster who comes close in terms of poise and ability. Montez should redshirt for a year, Gerke, Apsay and the walk-on crew should be just for drills, scout team and practice. Unless Sefo makes a big jump this offseason, we'll struggle a little, but the team can still go to, and win a bowl with him under center.
Running Back/Fullback
Powell is a decent rusher and this is his last season. I'm slightly concerned about his history of head injuries. Lindsay is quick and showed flashes of ability and Adkins had a sophomore slump last year. There's nothing really special about our RB stable, but Patrick Carr was one of our most highly touted recruits. I hope we have the luxury of redshirting him, but he may start due to injury or ineffectiveness. Our FBs are decent but unspectacular it seems like.
Offensive Line
The O-Line went from being a huge weakness a year or two ago to being a position of strength. Many have said that Nembot made great strides midseason last year... and it makes me wonder if he might be destined to move to LT. The coaches or staff haven't said anything though and it seems like a longshot. For now, he's entrenched at RT. Kelley started at C last season and seemed fine so I would assume he's got a solid hold on his position as well. Most of the time, having two departing senior starter and three returning lineman, one who was injured in spring would be cause for concern... but the Buffs should have a better overall line than last season. Between Lisella (coach's favorite from what I hear), Irwin, Kronshage, Kough, Weifels, Huckins, Callahan and possibly Middlemiss and Lynott (though I hope they're redshirted) the Buffaloes should be able to put together a decent line.
Wide receiver/Tight end
Spruce is coming back for 2015 and that is huge. He's a good route runner, has great hands, adjusts to the ball well and can be successful in this offense. It's true though, that he was shut down by Pac-12 corners when we got to league play. He's a draftable NFL prospect, so he should be able to adjust and have a stronger corps around him. Shay Fields looked great at times last year and could be a huge weapon for the Buffs, Ross, Lee, Walker, Bobo and Dunston all have a little experience as well. The story with the TEs is the same as always. Nothing special there. Keeney and Jones were injured for Spring and Irwin will be back.
Defensive Line
The staff recruited two defensive linemen from junior colleges (Blake Robbins and Jordan Carrell) to shore up this weak front 7. It'll be well into fall probably before we see what they bring to the table. Returning is last year's sack leader Derek McCartney along with Tupou, Solis, Kafovalu, Leo Jackson, Ty Henington, Jimmy Gilbert and others. I assume the D-line will be better this season because of the new additions and the maturing of the returning players... but who knows. Most of these guys are marked by their potential and not their actual contributions. Hopefully new DC Jim Leavitt can get the most out of this unit.
Linebacker
Just like offensive line was once a huge weakness for CU... I hope the huge weakness that is the LB corps becomes a strength sooner rather than later. Addison Gillam looked like a rising star in his freshman year but illness and head injuries kept him subdued last season. There was even a rumor that he considered quitting football because of his injuries but that seems premature. Jaleel Awini, former Air Force QB has switched to LB, Kenneth Olugbode seems serviceable and former 4 star Deaysean Rippy tops the pencil depth chart at OLB. HS star Grant Watanabe may finally be healthy enough to play in 2015... but just like with the D-line, these linebackers need to prove themselves and win a job.
Defensive Backs
This unit looks pretty good on paper. Kenny Crawley looks like a draftable NFL prospect. He's got size and speed and should be good for the Buffs. Tedric Thompson led the team in picks, Walker, Awuzie, Witherspoon, Moeller and White all look competent. Jared Bell got a 6th year approved and should be a standout in this defense, and as usual, highly touted prospect Yuri Wright is a wildcard. Will he ever put it together?
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All in all I'd say the Buffaloes should be much better on paper than in 2015 and their strength of schedule should be weaker. Their first 4 games are winnable (Hawaii, UMASS, CSU and Nicholls State) and they were within a TD of beating Cal, Oregon St., UCLA and Utah in 2014. What's a realistic projection? 5 games? 6? 7? A bowl?
