SB Nation - Brandon Nicolas

Monday Buff Bites - Counting Down the Days Until Fall Ball

irish1611 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:25:35 -0000

We are getting closer...really close to the start of it all. In one of the more important seasons in recent memory for the future of Buff football, there is a heightened sense of anticipation. Like Kyle Ringo said in his blog posting this week, no one is quite sure on the Buffs (except for Dan Hawkins) which can be a scary proposition but also an exciting one if the team can break through and surprise on a national level. Those are the types of thoughts you can have in August, everyone is 0 - 0 and everyone can dream.

Cabral expects LBs to be strength on Buffs' defense - Boulder Daily Camera
Brian Cabral, linebacker coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, has a good feeling about this year's linebacker corp. Cabral was not afraid to put some pressure on his group saying that they must compensate for the youth on defensive line while still being productive. I can't wait to watch the defensive fronts this year. All we have heard about was how the defense is going to be creative, establish mismatches and be multiple. I think if the Buffs can find someone to patrol the middle on the defensive line, the 3 - 4 can be very successful with B.J. Beatty and others using their great rush end ability:

"We should be one of the strengths in our defense," Cabral said. "We have to understand the problem. We have to understand the issues and we have to understand our responsibility to make that better. "So my theme going in with my linebackers is, 'Make them right' regardless of what they do. We're going to play off of them and we're going to make the defense right. The onus is on us to adjust, and, at times, cover up the mistakes of a young defensive line."

Scout.com: 2009 Preseason Rankings - No. 31 to 40
Scout.com ranked the Colorado Buffaloes #39 in their most recent countdown. The Nebraska Cornhuskers, that team that is supposed to runaway with the Big 12 North championship, ranked 38th in CFN's countdown.

39. Colorado - Preview | Offense | Defense | Depth Chart Relative Strengths: Running Back, Secondary Relative Weaknesses: Receiver, Defensive Line What to watch for on offense: Darrell Scott. Yeah, this is what recruitniks have been waiting for. Scott was the crown jewel of the 2008 recruiting class as the Buffs were able to steal him away from Texas. Minor injuries, lack of conditioning, and the emergence of other backs led to a disappointing first year, but that has all changed going into this season. He's 202 pounds, has 4% body fat, and he has looked like the NFL-bound total package who can carry the offense through the rough patches. What to watch for on defense: Part 3-4, part 4-3. The Buffs will try to get more out of a front four that has decent size on the outside, but might be better if the ends were used in a three-man front. The strength of the team, other than running back, is at linebacker where Jeff Smart, Marcus Burton, Shaun Mohler, Michael Sipili, and B.J. Beatty are all good enough to start. The coaching staff will try to get as many linebackers on the field as possible to combat spread offenses, and as the season goes on the defense, which wasn't bad last year, should have some big moments and some great games thanks to the back eight.

Hawkins expecting success despite early Colorado struggles - Big 12 - ESPN
Tim Griffin is giving the Buffs some good love recently, claiming the Buffs are his darkhorse team to win the North:

The Buffaloes are my dark-horse team in the North Division. Hardly anybody is talking about this with most of the early interest centered on Kansas and Nebraska. But Colorado's schedule and underrated talent might keep them in the North Division title chase longer than most might think.

Scout.com: 2009 CFN All-Redshirt Freshman Team - Defense
Buffs LB Doug Rippy was dubbed by College Football News as a preseason All-Redshirt Freshman Candidate:

LB Douglas Rippy, Colorado – The Buffaloes traveled all the way to Ohio to ink Rippy, and they’re thrilled they did. After playing well on the scout team and improving his strength, he emerged this spring as a starter at one of the outside spots. At 6-1 and 230 pounds, he plays with good pad level and has already displayed the instincts and sure-tackling of a more seasoned player. He should get plenty of chances to make plays and begin building a resume this fall.

A lot more links after the jump...

Scout.com: 2009 CFN All-Redshirt Freshman Team
Buffs OL Bryce Givens was also named to College Football News' All Redshirt Offensive Team:

OT Bryce Givens, Colorado – It hasn’t taken Givens very long to show why he was one of the most coveted tackles of 2008. At 6-6 and 275 pounds, he may not be at his ideal fighting weight quite yet, but he’s headed in the right direction and has the reach and footwork to excel in his debut as the starting right tackle. Already a knee-bender, he’s been well-coached up to this point and has the proper fundamentals to eventually become a dominant pass blocker.

The Longmont Times-Call - 10 CU Players To Watch This Year

The Score with Armstrong and Shapiro " Cody Hawkins Interview 7-30-09
Colorado Buffaloes starting QB Cody Hawkins joins The Score with Armstrong and Shapiro to talk about the upcoming football season. Also Cody talks about what happened to his dad, head coach Dan Hawkins and the recent surgery that he had to remove a . . . well click to find out!

Hawk's Radio Show Moving To Boulder Draft House - CUBuffs.com—Official Athletics Web site of the University of Colorado

University of Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins’ radio show has moved to a new location for the 2009 season – the Boulder Draft House. Buff fans can catch up with Coach Hawk alongside 850 KOA’s Mark Johnson and Larry Zimmer for the Dan Hawkins Show live every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the new Boulder Draft House, located at 2027 13th Street, less than a block off of Boulder’s world famous Pearl Street Mall. The first show is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, the Wednesday prior to the Colorado-Colorado State game.

JUCOs to Watch in 2009 - AthlonSports.com
Athlon Sports states that WR Andre Simmons is a JUCO transfer to watch in '09:

Andre Simmons, Colorado - With Josh Smith transferring, the Buffaloes are desperately seeking help in the receiving corps. At 6-foot-3, Simmons should be in contention for a starting spot and could be the big weapon for Cody Hawkins or Tyler Hansen, as they desperately need to get the passing game going.

A look ahead: Colorado football - The Denver Post

Three things to watch 1. Quarterback controversy? As a true freshman, Tyler Hansen stole the starting job from Cody Hawkins last season. But following spring drills, coaches said that Hawkins had a slight edge. Can Hansen, a better athlete who sometimes lacks consistency and poise, show enough in August camp to make it a bona fide battle? 2. Calling on defensive linemen. Three of last year's starters, George Hypolite, Brandon Nicolas and Maurice Lucas, are gone, leaving end Marquez Herrod to look for help. Sophomore Curtis Cunningham is the leader for one tackle slot. But defensive line coach Romeo Bandison will have to sift through a half-dozen other candidates. 3. Which new wideouts will emerge? In addition to junior-college transfer Andre Simmons and incoming freshmen Jarrod Darden and Terdema Ussery, others new to the fray include sophomore Markques Simas and senior Kevin Moyd, a running back expected to get an audition at receiver. With Josh Smith leaving for UCLA, there's not much experience behind junior Scotty McKnight.

Welcome to My World: Colorado's Riar Geer | NewsOK.com
Colorado tight end Riar Geer has been a starter for the Buffaloes since his redshirt freshman season. The 6-4, 250-pound senior spoke with The Oklahoman's Brandon Chatmon about playing at Nebraska, playing for Dan Hawkins and the fact "It's Division I football, it ain't intramurals!":

Buffs' Solder: 6-feet-9, 305 . . . and counting - The Denver Post
The Denver Post has a good article on the enormous but athletically gifted Nate Solder.

Polling the Big 12: Who has the best and worst mascots? | NewsOK.com

The Oklahoman's Jake Trotter polled 29 of the 38 players at Big 12 Media Days, including at least one from each school. These are their answers. Who has the best mascot? Ralphie (Colorado), 25% Bevo (Texas), 20% Joy and Lady (Baylor), 15% Pistol Pete (Oklahoma State), 10% Herbie Husker and Lil' Red (Nebraska), 10% Other receiving votes: Cy (Iowa State), Big Jay and Baby Jay (Kansas), Truman the Tiger (Missouri), Masked Rider (Texas Tech) Quotable: "It's definitely Ralphie. No one else I know has a buffalo." — a Big 12 North defensive player Quotable II: "They actually have a live bear sitting in the end zone," — a Big 12 North offensive player

The Quad Countdown: No. 32 Kansas - The Quad Blog - NYTimes.com
The Quad, the NY Times blog, thinks Kansas will finish outside of the top 25.

"Kansas will be very good, but until the team starts beating the best the Big 12 has to offer, it will remain out of title contention."

Buffs taking studies seriously - Boulder Daily Camera
"The Colorado football program struggled on the field last fall to a 5-7 record, but it improved in the classroom, finishing the semester with a 2.545 GPA, the best since the department began tracking team GPA in 1996."

Big 12 logjam: A team-by-team breakdown as season closes in - USATODAY.com

Colorado: The Buffaloes enter year three of the Dan Hawkins era with a sense of urgency. The Buffs seemed to have turned a corner last season by starting off the season 3-0, but went 2-7 the rest of the way floundering to a 5-7 finish. Junior Cody Hawkins returns for his third season under center, feeling pressure to improve an offense that ranked last in the Big 12 in points a game last season at just over 20. The Buffaloes win the prize for scheduling. The Buffaloes play their annual rivalry game against Colorado State and travel east to play West Virginia. Key game — Nov. 27, Nebraska: The Buffaloes went into last year's game against the Huskers with a chance to be bowl eligible and lost. They might be in the same predicament this season.

Assessing Our Team For the Opponent

irish1611 — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:38:37 -0000

The guys over at Corn Nation, the Nebraska blog on SBNation, asked us to put together a small synopsis of the Buffs going into spring ball so that they could educate their fan base on what to hear out of camp this year. I thought it would be good to share so you can see what I am looking at going into camp.

Corn Nation: Who's Gone: (What Star Players Are Gone in 2009)

Biggest loss on Offense: Center Daniel Sanders. Right now the Buffs have three or four guys who can probably step in but not like Sanders did. He was a big performer for the Buffs and right now, no one has any experience at the position worth mentioning. Look for Mike Iltis, Blake Behrens or Evan Eastburn to battle for the starting spot this offseason with the favorite being Iltis who is recovering from an ACL injury. Other than that, the Buffs lose no one of any significant value on offense from last year's team. Same goes for next year as Colorado will only lose a starting tight end, a fullback and an offensive guard. This offense will have a lot of time to grow together.

Biggest loss on Defense: CU lost a few significant senior starters from 2008 although many underachieved. On the underachiever side you can put DT George Hypolite, DT Brandon Nicolas, DE Maurice Lucas and S Daniel Dykes. LB Brad Jones and S Ryan Walters will be the hardest players to replace. Jones led the team in sacks last year and was the only player that could get any sort of consistent pressure. The good thing for the Buffs is that linebacker is one position we have recruited well at and have many candidates to replace him. B.J. Beatty will provide the Buffs with Jones-like pass rush skills. Beatty is one of those guys who flies around and makes plays. Also look for redshirt freshman LB Jon Major and LB Doug Rippy to see time and with the Buffs returning All Big 12 players in LB Shaun Mohler and LB Jeff Smart, linebacker should not be a concern. The only concern on defense in my mind, and it is a big one, is defensive line. Even though Hypolite, Nicolas and Lucas underachieved last year, they were the only guys we had and the only guys we saw play with any significant time. This year, we are flying blind and all positions are up for grabs. Hawkins got two big recruits in 5* DE Nick Kasa and 4* DL Edward Nuckols in 2009 but whether they will be ready to go physically is never a guarantee. Cornerback should be solid with plenty of depth and although the Buffs lose both safeties, Walters and Dykes had plenty of injuries last year giving replacements S Anthony Perkins and S Patrick Mahnke time to get a feel for the spots as freshman. Walters was a leader of the defense as well as a pretty hard nosed ball player so that will need to be filled in 2009.

Corn Nation: Who To Watch: (The best guys on your team, and maybe your quarterback if you have a new one)

see more after the jump...

Right now as Buff fans we get really optimistic before the season starts about a lot of players, we always do that! Here are a few:

Offense:

RB Darrell Scott - has dropped all the excess weight he had carried last year as a freshman, down to his high school weight of 205 pounds (was at 225), is said to be healty again, running a 4.4 forty, got mentioned in a recent interview with our strength and conditioning coach saying he was the hardest working player this offseason and really made a point to show everyone that he is ready to break out in 2009. I have no doubt that 2008 will be a distant memory after this season.

RB Rodney Stewart - hard not to have him on this list even though I think Darrell Scott will replace him as the starting back. Although he broke his leg late in the season, he worked hard this offseason and tested out as the strongest player pound for pound on the team. No questioning what he did last season was pretty amazing for a freshman (can't you tell that we had a lot of freshman playing last season...it makes me sick typing this). This running back combo could be special for years to come.

WR Markques Simas - was ineligible last season but is said to have a strong GPA this year. He was a four star commit in 2007 and should be the top play maker on the edge in 2009. It has been reported that no one is even close to his talent level at wide receiver and he just torched the defensive starters last year playing on the scout team.

OT's Ryan Miller and Nate Solder - they will anchor this line, a line that if healthy, has the talent to be a top 3 or 4 squad in the conference. Both of these guys have the build (6'9" 300+) and the athleticism (Solder ran a sub 5.0 forty this offseason) to be pro prospects.

QB Tyler Hansen - because we need a change. The offseason should do wonders for him learning the playbook and gaining confidence controlling the offense. People forget that last year he was strictly the scout team quarterback until about two weeks before the Kansas State game. Basically, he had to learn the Colorado playbook in a few short days. He is taller, has better feet and a better arm than Cody Hawkins. The only thing that we need to see is his ability to grasp the offense and the leadership that goes along with being the starting Q.

WR Josh Smith - was third in the Big 12 last year in all purpose yards and ninth in the nation. Need a more consistent performance from him but if he dedicates himself, he has already shown that he can be explosive and a game changer.

Defense:

LB Shaun Mohler: impressive last year in his first season as a JUCO transfer. Became a starter after the second game and never gave it up. I expect second team All Big 12 or better this year for Mohler. Was honorable mention last year. He plays down hill and is my pick for CU's defensive player of the year.

LB Jeff Smart: Second team All Big 12 linebacker last year. He isn't the most gifted linebacker the Buffs have but he is the most productive. He might get pushed by some of the younger, bigger guys this year but I expect another strong season from him.

CB Jimmy Smith: he will be the first cornerback selected out of the Big 12 in 2010's NFL draft. He has great size (6'3" 200 pounds) and is by far and away the most athletic player on CU's roster. Husker fans should remember Smith after last year's game.

CB Cha'pelle Brown: an All Big 12 player last year. What he lacks in size, he offsets with consistent play. With the return of 2007 starter Ben Burney from injury as well as the emergence of backups Jalil Brown and Anthony Wright, Cha'pelle will have his hands full but I expect him to be the day one starter based on last season.

Corn Nation: Under the Radar players who might make an impact this season:

OL Bryce Givens - a former Nebraska commit, Givens has added 25 pounds this offseason to go along with his great athleticism. He should push for a starting spot if he can stay healthy.

LB's Doug Rippy and Jon Major - part of the big 2008 LB recruiting trio, look for Rippy (who is physically ready to play at the college level) and Jon Major to push for time. Unfortunately, the cream of the crop in 2008, LB Lynn Katoa, is struggling both on and off the field and it wouldn't be a surprise if he never suited up for the Buffs.

DL Conrad Obi - honestly, we have no idea who is going to make up three or even all of our starting defensive line spots. I can't even make an educated guess but Obi is said to have all the physical talent but now it is time for the sophomore to turn it into production. CU is very young on the D-line.

DL Curtis Cunningham - he saw the most action of any player as a backup last year which was pretty amazing considering he was a 260 pound true freshman. If I had to put my money on one player starting next year on the defensive line, it would be him. He showed in limited action that he can make plays.

Best of 2008 #8: Buff Linebacker Shaun Mohler

irish1611 — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:31:12 -0000

25 hours of course work in six months in order to become academically eligible to play at CU.

That is what linebacker Shaun Mohler did at Orange Coast College this spring and summer to just have a chance to come to the University of Colorado. He passed all seven of those classes and still had to wait for the NCAA Clearinghouse to tell him he was eligible.

What LB Shaun Mohler did was truly amazing. One thing that hampers the Buffs especially in recruiting junior college players, is the admission standards that comes with playing in Boulder. No, its not Stanford or Notre Dame but it is close. That is why he was the only junior college transfer to become a Buff last year. Let's just say what happened at Kansas State last year with 19 JUCO's signing would never happen at the University of Colorado. That total might not happen over the next 10 years!

Mohler, a one time Nebraska commit, would have coasted easily into Nebraska but after Bill Callahan got fired, he wanted out of Lincoln and visited Colorado. The rest is history.

Shaun Mohler has always been a favorite of The Ralphie Report. Fans want players to immerse themselves into their respective universities as much they do. We want to believe that every player bleeds the colors of the university. Shaun Mohler made us feel that way. When he was taking 25 hours of course work, he still found the time and motivation to work out to be in top shape when he arrived in Boulder. Some other big time recruits had to take one class and couldn't find the time. So it is easy to make Shaun Mohler a favorite.

He wasn't just a feel good story either. The Buffs knew they were getting a player out of Orange Coast College. Rivals.com ranked Shaun as the best Junior College outside linebacker prospect in last year's recruiting class. Mohler was named Orange Coast's most valuable player both of his seasons, he was first-team All-American, All-State and All-Mission Conference, earning the league Player of the Year last year. His highlight film showed why he received all of the accolades.

Mohler saw playing time from day one with the Buffs. A reserve at first, the coaches couldn't keep him off the field. Once he was on the field, he become one of the Buffs most consistent defenders.

Opponent	Solo	Assisted	Total	Ints	TFL	Sack
Colorado St.	3	-	3	1	1	-
Eastern Wash.	5	4	9	-	-	-
West Virginia	6	1	7	-	-	-
+ Florida St.	5	2	7	-	1	-
3 Texas	7	4	11	-	1	-
@ Kansas	7	3	10	-	1	-
Kansas St.	6	3	9	-	-	-
@ 19 Missouri	5	4	9	-	2	-
@ Texas A&M	3	5	8	-	2	1
Iowa St.	1	-	1	-	-	-
14 Oklahoma St.	7	5	12	1	-	-
@ Nebraska	5	6	11	-	-	-
Totals	60	37	97	2	8	1

Against Colorado State, Mohler did not start and in the Iowa State game, he was hurt. Other than those two games, he was a very consistent defender. The best part is Mohler got better as the year went on. To his own admission, he had a tough time adjusting to the speed of the game. Looking at these stats, I think he adjusted pretty well.

Looking at the overall defensive team stats for the Buffs this year, Mohler excelled.

	Tackles			Tackles For Loss				Sacks				Int Ret.
Name	Solo	Ast	Ttl	Solo	Ast	Ttl	Yds	Solo	Ast	Ttl	Yds	No	Yds	TD
Name	Solo	Ast	Ttl	Solo	Ast	Ttl	Yds	Solo	Ast	Ttl	Yds	No	Yds	TD
Smart	57	52	109	3	0	3	7	1	0	1	4
Mohler	60	37	97	7	1	7.5	45	0	1	1	7	2	36	0
Walters	50	31	81	2	1	2.5	18	1	1	2	14	2	37	0
Brown	56	17	73	4	1	4.5	11			0		2	27	1
Jones	46	22	68	11	1	12	46	6	0	6	36
Dykes	32	15	47	3	0	3	16	1	0	1	10	1	0	0
Lucas	27	20	47	4	2	5	14	1	1	2	10
Hypolite	23	20	43	6	1	6.5	26	3	1	4	19
McKay	29	13	42	4	0	4	10			0
Brown	32	9	41	3	1	3.5	4			0		1	57	0
Nicolas	18	17	35	6	1	6.5	20	2	1	3	13
Perkins	22	13	35			0				0
Smith	26	9	35			0				0

If Shaun starts against CSU and doesn't get hurt against Iowa State, he is probably the team's leading tackler this year. Finishing second on the team in both tackles (97) and tackles for loss (7.5) right out of junior college is an amazing feat. Mohler was rewarded for his play today as he was named by the AP, Honorable Mention All Big 12. He also might be the overall best story of the year in the Big 12.

Great find by Hawkins, Cabral and the staff on this one. An offseason of aggressive training and lifting will also do wonders for Mohler. Next year, he will once again be a stud and with Jeff Smart, B.J. Beatty, Jon Major, Doug Rippy and Lynn Katoa back, linebacker is one position the Buffs don't have to worry about.

Shaun Mohler is a player that makes you feel good to root for the Buffs!

see the best of and worst of list so far after the jump...

Best of 2008 List
10) The Victory Against CSU at Mile High
9) The Iowa State Second Half
8) Buff Linebacker Shaun Mohler

Worst of 2008 List
10) The Off the Field Issues
9) The Defensive Line Scheme/Play

Poll

Going into the 2009 season, what position are you least worried about?

Linebackers: Smart, Mohler, Major, Rippy, Beatty, Katoa, Sipili, Burton and Hartigen

34 votes

Defensive Backfield: Cha'pelle Brown, Jalil Brown, Burney, Smith, Wright, Mahnke, Perkins and Sandersfeld

4 votes

Runningback: Scott, Polk, Stewart, Sumler, Lockridge, Moyd and Nabors

18 votes

Offensive Line: Miller, Tuioti-Mariner, Behrens, Head, Solder, Givens, Harris, Bahr, Tau and Iltis

4 votes

60 votes | Poll has closed

Worst of 2008 #9: The Defensive Line Scheme/Play

irish1611 — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:39:08 -0000

I don't want to call any players out because they are college kids but coming into this year, the senior trio of George Hypolite, Brandon Nicolas and Maurice Lucas were going to rededicate themselves and become the strenghth of this team. Even Coach Hawkins called this unit the strength of the team in the offseason. Rivals.com said one of the main reasons for Jordon Dizon's success in 2007 was because of Brandon Nicolas and George Hypolite, which led them to label the defensive line as the strongest unit on the defense in 2008:

No doubt, Dizon was a tremendous player for the Buffs, but there also is no doubt that he benefited from having tackles Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas in front of him. Nicolas, who began his career at Notre Dame, tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 11. He and Hypolite form one of the best tackle tandems in the Big 12.

Well, this year they weren't the strength of the defense. That honor goes to the cornerback position where Cha'pelle Brown, Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown emerged as a bright spot. I don't necessarily blame the players, their is plenty that falls on the scheme. The Buffs were erratic in their defensive identity. Against Kansas State, the Buffs attacked from multiple areas on the field from the back seven and allowed the double teams to loosen up. Against Kansas and Missouri, the Buffs went to a three man rush and well, were unable to generate any pressure. The best pressure player this year was LB Brad Jones, who was honored with honorable mention All Big 12.

One big problem that will continue to haunt CU next year is the issue of depth. Other than a rare productive appearance from true freshman Curtis Cunningham, the senior trio was the only group to touch the field with any presence. That obviously took it's toll on the Buffs especially in the finale against Nebraska. Hypolite had his moments especially against weaker competition in Texas A&M and Iowa State. Many give Hypolite the benefit of the doubt due to teams recognizing him as the star of the line and doubling him but then where is the production from the rest of the pass rushers who face one on one assignments?

Another reason for the down production and impact is also attributable to the inept offense. The Buffs offense ranked eighth in the Big 12 in time of possession so CU's front four saw the field a lot more than they wanted to.

see after the jump for some more analysis on the drop off of production from the front four...

Colorado's rush defense ranked 87th in the nation, giving up 166 yards/game in a league that wasn't very strong in the rushing department. Here is the ranking of rushing offenses that the Buffs played this year:

Team	National Rank	Average Y/Game	YAgainst CU	Diff
Oklahoma State	8	256	226	-30
West Virginia	12	224	311	87
Florida State	31	182	259	77
Texas	34	176	169	-7
Nebraska	37	173	178	5
Missouri	46	165	189	24
Iowa State	66	138	188	50
Kansas State	76	132	112	-20
Colorado State	78	129	71	-58
Kansas	80	128	112	-16
Texas A&M	95	118	94	-24

The biggest problem of this year's team, though, was it's inability to play in the opponents' backfield. Look at the sacks generated by the main linemen core of Buffs:

Big 12	Player	Pos	Cl	Gm	Solo	Assist	Yards	PerGm
Big 12	Player	Pos	Cl	Gm	Solo	Assist	Yards	PerGm
26	Marquez Herrod	DL	SO	11	3	1	30	0.32
27	George Hypolite	DL	SR	12	3	1	19	0.29
42	Brandon Nicolas	DL	SR	12	2	1	13	0.21
61	Maurice Lucas	DL	SR	12	1	1	10	0.13
	Total				9	4	72	0.75

No one on this year's defensive line ranked in the top 25 of the Big 12 in total sacks.

What is more disturbing is looking at the production of the big 3 this year compared to last year, especially the statistics that show pressure in the backfield:

Player	Year	G	Solo	Assisted	Total	T/G	TFL	Sacks
George Hypolite	2008	12	23	20	43	3.58	6.5	3.5
George Hypolite	2007	13	28	23	51	3.92	11	6
Hypolite	Variance		-5	-3	-8	(0.34)	(4.5)	(2.5)
Brandon Nicolas	2008	12	18	17	35	2.92	6.5	2.5
Brandon Nicolas	2007	13	29	17	46	3.54	11	3
Nicolas	Variance		-11	0	-11	(0.62)	(4.5)	(0.5)
Maurice Lucas	2008	12	27	20	47	3.92	5	1.5
Maurice Lucas	2007	13	20	16	36	2.77	5.5	2
Lucas	Variance		7	4	11	1.15	(0.5)	(0.5)
Big 3 Total	2008	12	68	57	125	10.42	18	7.5
Big 3 Total	2007	13	77	56	133	10.23	27.5	11
Big 3 Total	Variance		-9	1	-8	0.19	(9.5)	(3.5)

The Buffs lost 9.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks from last year from these three. Could it have been LB Jordon Dizon that helped the front four that much? Probably more about the scheme the Buffs attacked with this year. I assume the lack of confidence in the defensive backfield led the Buffs to drop more into coverage and stop the aerial assault of the Big 12. Ultimately, not having this up-hill pressure really ended up allowing the offense to avoid 3rd and long situations and extend drives.

The real reason this is on the worst of 2008 list is the fact that with these three gone, who steps in next year and brings a pass rushing presence? Right now I don't see it in the recruiting class or in the depth chart. Somehow we might be craving the performance of these three next year.

Best of 2008 List
10) The Victory Against CSU at Mile High
9) The Iowa State Second Half

Worst of 2008 List
10) The Off the Field Issues
9) The Defensive Line Scheme/Play

Poll

Is the defensive line your biggest concern for next year?

Yes, losing three seniors with not much known depth behind them is scary.

20 votes

Wide receivers are the biggest concern. Diante Jackson would help fix the problem but this offense needs playmakers ASAP!

4 votes

Quarterback. It all starts and ends at that position.

15 votes

Offensive Line is the biggest issue. Their is still a health and youth concern.

12 votes

51 votes | Poll has closed

Crossfire: Colorado Q&A

RPT — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:49:26 -0000

This week's edition of Crossfire welcomes our SBN colleagues from The Ralphie Report to RMN for a taste of what we can expect when the Buffaloes roll into Columbia at 5:30 on Saturday.

RMN: We've got to start with the big question right now: What's brewing with the quarterback situation in Boulder right now? How does the Colorado offense differ from Hawkins to Hansen?

RR: Well, I would say it is far from a controversy. Tyler Hansen and Cody Hawkins are going to split time against Mizzou even though Dan Hawkins hates to have rotating quarterbacks. But he knows that Hansen offers something more dynamic to the Buffs offense . As far as how the two quarterbacks are taking the news, Cody Hawkins is a true team player. He honestly only cares about winning so I don't see him disowning his dad anytime soon. Hansen is just along for the ride.

The Colorado offense is better with Hansen in it for a couple reasons. First of all, the Buffs are decimated on the offensive line losing two starters this year already and four reserve players to injury, suspension, defection etc. The offensive line is very inexperienced so they need a quarterback who can make a play with his feet and the 4.6 forty quarterback in Hansen offers this poor man's version of the spread offense a little more variability. Second, Hansen is taller and has a better arm so he has the ability to throw from the pocket, something that the Buffs couldn't do with Cody Hawkins and not come out of the game with 5 tipped balls at the line of scrimmage. Cody still brings good experience to the table and frankly, we might not be 4 - 3 if he doesn't complete a big 3rd down pass with about 2 minutes to go last week.

RMN: Colorado is dead last in the Big 12 in scoring offense and total offense. Who's to blame for the offensive inefficiency?

RR: You name it, we have a problem. I wouldn't put the blame on anyone in particular. There is enough blame to spread around:

See my note in the first question about the youth and injuries to the offensive line so far this year. The Buffs are currently starting two red shirt freshmen and a sophomore who was a tight end last year. The offensive line is so decimated right now that the Buffs have started to move defensive lineman over to the offensive side of the ball (DT Eugene Goree) and actually playing him in the game.

Cody Hawkins - he has not gotten it done this year, partly because of the offensive line problems and partly because he just isn't elite. He doesn't have the physical tools. Basically, Cody hasn't been a consistent playmaker hence the change at quarterback. If Cody makes plays, the Buffs beat FSU and it is a different season.

Lack of Offensive Playmakers - WR Josh Smith and RB Rodney Stewart are the only playmakers on this team right now. There is no Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin or Chase Coffman for CU. QB Tyler Hansen can be a playmaker but he is a true freshman.

Play Calling - it got better last week with Hansen in the game but it still isn't good and doesn't feature our limited playmakers enough.

Put Your Keys Up: Colorado Buffaloes vs. Texas Longhorns Keys to the Game & Prediction

irish1611 — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:00:04 -0000

VS.

It has been a busy week on The Ralphie Report so far...Woodrow and I have put up a lot of information from recruiting to round tables to an exciting podcast that we did with Burnt Orange Nation. But now it is time to get down to business. All the work has been put in during the week. The film has been studied, the game plans set, the schemes understood. Most people aren't giving the Buffs a chance and the popular opinion among Texas blogs is that this Colorado team is a joke, a mediocre team who will be lucky to go to a bowl game this year. Personally, I like the Buffs position right now. Its like Coach Hawkins said yesterday "So if you want to spend time handing out game balls 'cause you beat West Virginia or having a funeral 'cause you lost to Florida State, that's wrong. You just keep re-pooling, re-tooling, working it out." One bad game against FSU doesn't make a season and I fully expect this Buffs' team to respond against Texas in a strong manner. In either a win or loss result, I believe this team will take a step forward. One thing is for sure, Hawkins has a way to get his team motivated and ready for these types of games (look at Georgia & Texas Tech in his first year and Texas Tech & Oklahoma in his second). Now the keys to the game and The Ralphie Report's prediction! I think the keys of the game sections is the best of the year so far!

CU's Defensive Keys to the Game:

1) Texas has scored 73 of their 198 points (37%) in the second quarter this year compared to only giving up 20. On the flip side, Colorado has allowed more points in the second quarter (40 of the 94 or 43%) than any other quarter this year. What does this mean...the Buffs need to do a better job with the in game adjustments. Watch for the second quarter points. Last week against FSU, the Buffs gave up 12 points while not putting any on the board. The Buffs were down 12 at half time and never could recover. We talk about half time adjustments being important but this week it is about making the correct in game adjustments once Texas understands the schemes CU's defense is throwing at them.

2) Texas has had 31, count'em 31 plays over 20 yards this year. The Buffs must limit the big play. Texas has good wide receivers on the outside with Shipley and Cosby. Colt McCoy is also a threat to break a big run as he has 5 for over 20 yards. Momentum is going to be a big intangible in this game and nothing quiets a crowd or deflates a team early than a big special teams, defense or offensive play.

3) Without a doubt Colt McCoy has had a great start to this season. He, without question, has rebounded from what was a sophomore slump and has made hay against the four teams Texas has played thus far. McCoy has had a hand in 67% of the total offensive yards this year and is the leading rusher for the Texas Longhorns. How do you stop Colt McCoy's productive onslaught? Hit him hard every time he has the ball. If there is still animosity about the 70 - 3 loss in 2005, use it on McCoy. He needs to think twice about wanting to be Texas' leading rusher and Mack Brown needs to understand that putting your quarterback at risk for John Chiles is not a good option. We know McCoy is tough and is a competitor but to have him running wild like Texas has him doing with a history of getting dinged up from time to time is a little crazy in my mind. The Buffs need to make Brown and the Longhorns pay for not having a running game.

4) Great segue from the last key point is the fact that Texas doesn't have a running game without Colt McCoy. The Buffs can't do what they did last week: let an inexperienced offensive line and poor performing running game go for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns. That cannot happen this week. If there is a weakness to this Texas unit it is their lack of running game from the running back position and this week the Buffs cannot be the team that Texas turns it into a strength against.

5) CU's defense needs to be aggressive. Enough with only rushing four. Enough with counting on the defensive line to put the pressure on the quarterback. Enough with thinking that the Buffs are good enough to play straight up on defense and win these types of games. It's time that the coaching staff brings multiple looks (that does not include the 3 - 4 that we saw last week get torn up early). The Buffs need to bring people off the edge and up the middle from the linebacker position all day long. CU is going to have to get creative in trying to confuse an offense that is running on all cylinders. Sit back this week Ron Collins and Texas will torch the Buffs. Hey, blitzing might get the Buffs torched but it will give CU a much better chance at causing turnovers and sputtering the Texas offense.

CU's Offensive Keys to the Game:

1) The good thing about last week's game is that the Buffs make four plays that they are capable of, they win the game. But this game is about making plays and the Buffs, I mean Cody Hawkins, missed three that would have led to at least 14 points if not more. I would be shocked if Cody didn't come out and have his best game of the year. Finishing plays should be the goal of this offense come Saturday at 5 o'clock.

2) The Buffs have had no offensive rhythm the first four games of this year. When the Buffs scored 14 points on WVU early, they threw a bunch of quick hitting passes which never hit the ground. CU needs to play a timing offense where the ball is out of Cody's hands in under 4 seconds and into the receivers hands. Let's get the high percentage plays rolling early to give this young offensive line and Cody Hawkins some confidence.

3) Paging WR Scotty McKnight and WR Patrick Williams...time to start being contributors. McKnight really needs to get into the action early and often. He is the most reliable WR that the Buffs have and it needs to be a priority to get him in the groove early and often. The reason Scotty McKnight is so important for this offense is his ability to make plays over the middle. Right now the only threat the Buffs have is WR Josh Smith on the edges which is leaving 2/3 of the field unoccupied. We will know the game is going right if Scotty McKnight is rolling in catches over the middle.

4) There is a big statistic that looms over the head of this offense the last two years and frankly it is getting old. That stat is Cody Hawkins has throw an interception in 15 of his 17 games as a Colorado Buffalo. This year the Buffs have turned over the ball 8 times (average of 2 a game) and have an even turnover margin. That being said, Texas has only forced 6 turnovers this year but they have a +2 in turnover margin. Texas won't cause a lot of turnovers but at the same time, the Longhorns don't give the ball up on offense either. Once again, the Buffs can't make this the Longhorns coming out party for causing turnovers. It all starts with Cody getting his pre-snap reads, going through his 3 to 4 progressions and making the proper decisions. The coaching staff can help out Cody and the offensive line by calling high percentage pass plays with little risk to allow Cody to get a feel for the offense and understand the multiple sets Muschamp and the Longhorns are going to throw out their.

5) Get a lead. Like I said in the interview with Burnt Orange Nation, Texas hasn't faced any adversity this year. Getting a lead early in front of a sellout crowd at Folsom Field will put a little pressure on a Texas team that has mowed through it's competition so far. The beautiful thing about football is the fact that it is such an emotional and intangibly driven game that a team can get confidence and get hot. CU getting an early lead will do wonders for their confidence.

Players That Need to Go Big Against Texas

1) OT Matt Bahr - Surely Texas will put their big time defensive end Brian Orakpo (6 sacks) on first time starter and red shirt freshman Matt Bahr. My message to Bahr is that you know you are going to get beat but stay confident and keep attacking. Don't let Orakpo smell blood. To the coaching staff...let's make sure we get Bahr some help with TE Riar Geer chipping down or a back patrolling the area.

2) QB Cody Hawkins - the game rests on his shoulders. That's the good and bad about being a quarterback, especially on a young team. Cody realizes that and I think he believes this is a great opportunity. Good quarterbacks shine in tough spots. No fumbles, no bad sacks and no interceptions. Win this game and everyone forgets about last week.

3) LB Brad Jones - Mr Jones, you have been deemed my "Hit Colt McCoy in the Chops Guy." Nothing illegal Texas fans but Jones is in charge of making McCoy regret ever crossing that line of scrimmage. Jones has to be an animal this game. I look for LB Shaun Mohler to do some of the same patrol work as well.

4) DT Brandon Nicolas - time to step up. Nicolas and George Hypolite have been solid but not game changing like they were billed to be before the season started. If there is ever a time for a coming out party, this would be the week to do it. Texas will try to take these guys out of the game by running the shotgun spread offense similar to CU but eliminating the dive will help the linebackers focus on McCoy.

5) WR Scotty McKnight - I really like this kid but he has disappeared the last two games with only 5 catches for 21 yards. Last year he was Cody's favorite target and the Buffs most reliable WR as a freshman. He is a crucial part of the Buffs timing in the passing game. He will have to be Mr. Reliable this game for the Buffs to be efficient on offense.

Prediction Time!

So I am on record of saying Texas 31 - 23 and I will stick to that based on my concern for CU's on offense line agains the Texas defense and Brian Orakpo. I am also worred about whether the defense can fully contain the Longhorns but I will say this...don't sleep on the Buffs Longhorns. This isn't the pushover that you all think it will be. Buffs should at the least cover the 13.5 points.

SB Nation - Brandon Nicolas

Monday Buff Bites - Counting Down the Days Until Fall Ball

Assessing Our Team For the Opponent

Top Spring Ball Questions: Should We Expect Anything From the Defensive Line?

Best of 2008 #8: Buff Linebacker Shaun Mohler

Going into the 2009 season, what position are you least worried about?

Linebackers: Smart, Mohler, Major, Rippy, Beatty, Katoa, Sipili, Burton and Hartigen

Defensive Backfield: Cha'pelle Brown, Jalil Brown, Burney, Smith, Wright, Mahnke, Perkins and Sandersfeld

Runningback: Scott, Polk, Stewart, Sumler, Lockridge, Moyd and Nabors

Offensive Line: Miller, Tuioti-Mariner, Behrens, Head, Solder, Givens, Harris, Bahr, Tau and Iltis

Worst of 2008 #9: The Defensive Line Scheme/Play

Is the defensive line your biggest concern for next year?

Yes, losing three seniors with not much known depth behind them is scary.

Wide receivers are the biggest concern. Diante Jackson would help fix the problem but this offense needs playmakers ASAP!

Quarterback. It all starts and ends at that position.

Offensive Line is the biggest issue. Their is still a health and youth concern.

Crossfire: Colorado Q&A

Put Your Keys Up: Colorado Buffaloes vs. Texas Longhorns Keys to the Game & Prediction

CU's Defensive Keys to the Game:

CU's Offensive Keys to the Game:

Players That Need to Go Big Against Texas

Prediction Time!