Colorado Buffaloes
Head Coach: Mike MacIntyre
2013-14 Record: 4-8, 1-8 Pac-12 Conference
2013-14 Bowl Result: N/A
Odds to Win National Championship: Field +2142
Returning Starters
Offense: 8, Defense: 8
Offense
Sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau gained considerable experience last season after he ditched his redshirt five games into the 2013 campaign—throwing for 1,779 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. He set true freshman records for the school in attempts, completions and touchdowns, which played a part in the roster having just two scholarship signal-callers heading into 2014.
The Buffaloes did a great job of protecting the football by fumbling just once in 376 touches a year ago—a group that welcomes back its top six performers—led by junior tailback Christian Powell.
Colorado’s main question mark in regards to this unit is playmakers on the outside, especially since start wide receiver Paul Richardson was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. Junior wide receiver Nelson Spruce figures to be the main player to watch, as he caught 55 passes for 650 yards last year.
Defense
A much improved unit should take another step forward this season, as eight starters return, with sophomore linebacker Addison Gillam being the main player to watch, who paced the Pac-12 Conference in tackles last season with 8.9 per game.
It’s important to point out that the program’s three returning starters in the secondary were No. 3, No. 5 and No. 8 in terms of tackles, which allows this unit to play aggressive at times.
Senior cornerback Greg Henderson is the main playmaker to watch on this side of the football, as he posted team-highs with 10 pass breakups and four interceptions a year ago.
Schedule
MacIntyre should be able to motivate the locker room in potentially winning the first two games on the schedule, which would provide a major confidence boost in hosting the Arizona State Sun Devils in Week 3 in the conference opener.
The Buffaloes would be pleased to possess a 3-2 record heading into their first game in October against the Oregon State Beavers in Boulder—mainly due to the fact that the road gets much tougher the rest of the way, especially back-to-back games against USC and UCLA to begin that final stretch.
Outlook
Landing a postseason bid is probably a bit ambitious at this point, but the fan base would be energized by the program playing in its first bowl game since 2007.
MacIntyre opened 1-15 at San Jose State before going 16-6 in his last 22 games, which is something to consider as college football handicappers over the course of the 2014 campaign.
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