No. 48-University of Colorado Buffaloes, BIG XII, odds to win National Championship 160/1, head coach Dan Hawkins
The University of Colorado football team was not very good in 2006 to the surprise of few. The school brought in former Boise State coach Dan Hawkins with a mandate. Clean up what had been a tumultuous program under former coach Gary Barnett.
While there were those not happy after the slow start which included a loss to the Montana State Bobcats of the Div. 1AA BIG SKY Conference, boosters began to question the Hawkins hire.
To say Hawkins isn’t under a microscope entering his second season leading the Buffaloes is an understatement. However, with 17 returning starters including nine offensively, Colorado looks to be a much improved squad in 2007 and a six-win season is not beyond the realm of possibility.
Hawkins will see a familiar name under center this fall with his son Cody Hawkins taking the snaps. The younger Hawkins , a highly touted recruit out of Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, de-committed from Boise State in order to join his dad in Boulder. After redshirting in 2006, the younger Hawkins appears to have the heads up in the battle for the starting quarterback position.
Bernard Jackson , the starting quarterback last year is returning but has been moved to the wide-receiver position in the spring.
Hawkins emerged from spring drills as the starter but is expected to have competition in fall camp from juco transfer Nick Nelson. The quarterback to get start in the opener with arch-rival ColoradoState on September 1, 2007 should have a solid stable of receivers.
Along with Jackson, Patrick Williams, Alvin Barnett and Dusty Sprague form a solid group of veteran receivers. With this group and the improvement in throwing capability with Hawkins or Nelson, Coach Hawkins will have multitudes more options to throw at BIG XII opponents.
Hugh Charles returns at tail back after rushing for 779 yards a year ago. It’s a must for the running game to improve in order to provide balance therefore making the air attack more effective. Fortunately the offensive line will be solid with the return of starters Tyler Polumbus and Edwin Harrison at tackle.
The Buffaloes defense stepped up and at least gave the offense some opportunities to win a few games. Led by George Hypolite on the line, Jordon Dizon at linebacker and Terrence Wheatley in the secondary, Colorado has plenty of experience. Hypolite and nose tackle Brandon Nicolas return to the middle of the line, but ends Maurice Lucas, Alonzo Barrett and Marquez Herrod will have to get some pressure on the quarterback.
Dizon and fellow linebacker Brad Jones combined for over 200 tackles and will be asked to do much of the work again this year.
It does not get much better than Wheatley at cornerback. The senior has the ability to shut down the best receivers in the conference and will need to do so on a consistent basis. Former safety Ben Burney and redshirt freshman Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith will battle for snaps opposite of Wheatley. Starting safeties Lionel Harris and Ryan Walters return, which should help Colorado give up less than 228.5 yards per game.
With an improved offense, coach Hawkins should have his team back in the bowl picture this season. It’s unlikely the Buffalos will win the BIG XII North but don’t sell Dan Hawkins short. He is sure to spring a few surprises on Colorado’s league rivals.
