2007 NCAA Big 12 Preview - Colorado Buffaloes - (2-10 2006 Record)

Oh how the mighty have fallen. After winning the Big 12 North title in both 2004 and 2005, the 2006 season began with a loss to Montana State and never got much better. By the end, Folsom Field felt more like Folsom Prison Blues than a football stadium and the blues were definitely flowing freely. Year two under Coach Dan Hawkins can only be better, but we will see just how much.

From all accounts, the first thing that Colorado needs going into the 2007 season is a quarterback that will/can take charge. After about 48 hours of being the returning starting quarterback, Bernard Jackson was moved to his wide receiver and running back positions where he spent the previous two seasons. The Buffaloes held out on removing the redshirt of coaches' son Cody Hawkins. Hawkins will have some competition from junior college transfer Nick Nelson for the starting gig. The team had a pretty good running game, finishing last season ranked 22nd nationally in rushing, so everything on offense isn't bad, even though the Buffaloes averaged an abysmal 16.3 PPG (107th nationally) last season, scoring and gaining only 118.5 YPG (116th nationally). Along with Jackson, Patrick Williams, Alvin Barnett and Dusty Sprague form a solid group of veteran receivers. The receivers were underappreciated due to the lack of a quarterback to throw them the ball, but will be of great value if Hawkins or Nelson can air it out effectively. Tight end Riar Geer led the team in receptions as a freshman in 2006 and will once again be prominently involved in the offense.