Though they differ on the record all agree on an improved record
As the Colorado football team’s spring practice draws to a close, the 2007-2008 season draws near. For that, The Campus Press sports writers offer their predictions and opinions for each game on the Buffs schedule next season. Be sure to check out the Campus Press Sports Talk podcast for an in-depth roundtable discussion of next season by the CP Sports Staff.
Evan Acker
Staff Writer
I’ve been asked to give my game-by-game football predictions for the 2007 season. Let’s hope we all look back in six months and witness my genius.
Colorado State @ Invesco Field)
The Buffs might be a bit rusty coming out of the gates, but there is no way I would ever allow myself to believe that CSU could take two straight from CU. Hawk will get his team off on the right foot this time.
CU wins 24-10 (1-0)
@ Arizona State
I might look like a total fool when I look back on this one, but the Buffs will match last season’s win total in the first two weeks with a stunning upset of the Sun Devils. The Buffs defense played ASU tough last season; it’s just that the offense was incredibly inept.
CU wins 27-21 (2-0)
Florida State
In 2003, FSU beat the Buffs 47-7 on national TV. It was an all-out embarrassment. Unfortunately for the Buffs this time around, there’s just too much of a talent discrepancy between the two teams. Buffs finally put one in the loss column.
Buffs lose 42-20 (2-1)
Miami of Ohio
There weren’t too many teams that could say they boasted the same record as our Buffs last year. Fortunately for us, Miami of Ohio was one of them.
Buffs win 31-10 (3-1)
Oklahoma
Bob Stoops is a great coach, but there’s nothing I’d love to see more than the Buffs take that cocky smirk off his face. I guess I’ll just have to keep watching ESPN Classic for the OU-Boise State BCS game, because it ain’t happening for us this year.
CU loses 49-14 (3-2)
@ Baylor
There was a time when Baylor was the laughing-stock of the Big 12. They still are, but when they’ve beaten the Buffs twice in the past four years, well, it’s just not as fun to bring up anymore. Well, this win will help turn that around.
Buffs win 24-20 (4-2)
@ Kansas State
So far, the Buffs have exceeded expectations. Teams they are supposed to beat, they beat. Well, that ends here as KSU reminds us that the Buffs are still in that transition phase.
Buffs lose 31-28 (4-3)
Kansas
It’s not often you see the blue version of Kool-Aid Man in real life. Mangino and Co. come into Boulder but feel the wrath of the CU defense, continually improving and jelling. The celebration is marred though when Mangino accidentally misses his chair and falls onto a group of Boy Scouts, killing seven.
Buffs win 35-24 (5-3)
@ Texas Tech
The Buffs most susceptible area on defense is their pass defense. Texas Tech’s always got a great passing system, and it doesn’t bode well for CU’s chances in this game.
Buffs lose 47-35 (5-4)
Missouri
Chase Daniels is one heck of a quarterback. CU just got rocked by Texas Tech, and Daniels won’t do the secondary any favors this week, either.
CU loses 31-28 (5-5)
@ Iowa State
The Buffs need one more win to become bowl eligible. Iowa State is going through a lot of changes, but the Buffs have had recent troubles in Aimes. Unfortunately for CU, their sixth win will have to wait.
Buffs lose 24-20 (5-6)
Nebraska
Big Red’s headed back toward the top, and they may come into this game with the Big 12 North already locked up. Still, NU will come to play. CU knows what’s on the line, and will pull off the upset and keep this rivalry alive.
Buffs win 20-17 (6-6)
Well, it’s only six wins, but it’s still a great turnaround. As you’ll eventually see come December, my predictions will definitely come out on top. Book it.
Ben Dignan
Staff Writer
CSU @Invesco Field
I have no reason to believe that the Rams have gotten any better this off-season. On a neutral field, with Cody Hawkins at the helm, I think the Buffs will open the season on a strong note. CU will put away the game late, on a 4th quarter touchdown drive.
Buffs win 28-21
@ Arizona State
With new head coach Dennis Erickson leading the Sun Devils, who struggled to a 7-6 record last season, this game should be a tough test for the Buffs in Tempe. Junior quarterback Rudy Carpenter is one of the best passers in the Pac-10 and I think he will prove too much for the CU secondary. This would be a huge win for early season momentum; I just don’t see it happening.
Buffs lose 35-21
Florida State
The vaunted Seminoles come all the way to Boulder from Tallahassee in what is sure to be a historic Boulder moment. Florida State, behind one of the most prolific coaches in college football history, Bobby Bowden, will try to bounce back from the disappointing season of a year ago. A traditionally fast and high-powered offense, the Buffs probably can’t hang with QB Drew Weatherford and his crew.
Buffs lose 42-21
Miami of Ohio
After two straight losses, the Buffs will look to bounce back with a home victory against the Redhawks. Miami finished a rough 2006 season at 2-10 overall and 2-6 in the MAC. With the improvement the Buffs have shown this spring, I have no doubt in my mind that Buffaloes fans can chalk this one up as a CU victory.
Buffs win 28-17
Oklahoma
This is the CU homecoming game as well as the first conference foe of the season. Oklahoma, coached by mastermind Bob Stoops, has uncertainty in the quarterback position and lost an outstanding running back to the NFL in Adrian Peterson. Last season, with Peterson out from a collarbone injury, Allen Patrick stepped in and had a solid impact carrying the ball. He returns this season, and although I would like to pick CU here, I just can’t.
Buffs lose 21-17
@ Baylor
This game brings back haunting memories of last season and the triple overtime interception by CU quarterback Bernard Jackson. Baylor took that game by a final score of 34 to 31 and Folsom Field fell silent. I do not see a repeat performance this year, however, as Jackson isn’t under center any longer. Can you say road win? I can.
Buffs win 31-24
@ Kansas State
Wildcat sophomore quarterback Josh Freeman returns after a successful freshman season. He was the only true freshman to lead his team to a bowl game last season. He also came into Folsom in 2006 and beat the Buffs by 13 points. That being said, I think this game is a toss up. I’ll take the Buffs as they get into mid-season form.
Buffs win 27-24
Kansas
Although Kansas beat our Buffaloes last season, the game was ugly, and they’re a basketball school. But this is a different year, and the result will indicate how things change over time. Not only do the Buffs win, but they do it in style, as they blow out the Jayhawks.
Buffs win 34-21
@ Texas Tech
The Buffs head down to Lubbock to take on the Red Raiders. Last season, in one of the few proud CU moments, the Buffs sent Tech packing by a final score of 30 to 6. I don’t know all that much about the Texas Tech off-season and I don’t need to. A CU win would stretch the winning streak to four, at least according to my predictions. Let us hope I’m right.
Buffs win 31-27
Missouri
The Buffs should be riding high after a big road win, and this has let-down written all over it. Missouri has a fantastic passing game, led by Chase Daniels, and I see the Tigers coming out on top in Boulder, much to the dismay of the student section.
Buffs lose 28-17
@ Iowa State
CU just doesn’t win on the road against the Cyclones. It has not happened recently, and it will not happen this year. I hope I’m wrong, but I see lowly Iowa State stealing one in this matchup.
Buffs lose 21-14
Nebraska
As much as I would like to see the Buffs return to prominence and take down the hated Cornhuskers, I don’t think the program is up to the challenge just yet. CU will fight and scrap on every possession, and although the game should be a tightly contested battle, I look for Sam Keller (Nebraska QB) to take charge in the 4th quarter. After a vastly improved season, the Buffs head into the off-season on a losing streak.
Buffs win 31-24
Record 6-6
Stirling Wade
Staff Writer
I’ll say this about the potential of CU’s football team in 2007: If it’s December and the team has just finished another 2-10 season, I’ll never write for this site again. The Buffs will show some significant improvements in 2007, and here is how I see their schedule breaking down.
Colorado State @ Ivesco
The Buffs get their 2007 campaign off on the right foot and reclaim their pedestal atop this rivalry. In case anyone forget last year’s numbing 14-10 loss to the Rams, here’s the combined line for CU’s quarterbacks in that game: 9-15, 71 yards, 0 TD. That won’t happen again and CU’s defense will dominate.
Buffs win 21-13
@ Arizona State
In a couple of years the Buffs will win this game, but not this year. Whoever the QB for the team (Cody Hawkins or Nick Nelson), they’ll be experiencing their first tough road environment. That doesn’t bode well for the Buffs.
Buffs lose 24-14
Florida State
Yeah, yeah I know what you’re thinking. Heck, I just decided to pick them fifteen minutes ago. People need to understand this isn’t your traditional FSU team. Bobby Bowden has come under fire down in Tallahassee the past few years, and the talent level isn’t what it used to be. Dan Hawkins will be looking for his signature win as CU’s head coach. Here it is.
Buffs win 19-14
Miami of Ohio
Miami lost 10 games last year just like the Buffs. What’s the difference between the two teams you may ask? Well, CU returns most of its guys from that team a year ago and Miami does not. So take less talent, experience and what do you get? A CU blowout.
Buffs win 35-10
Oklahoma
The Sooners lost their battery of Adrian Peterson and Paul Thompson but it won’t matter. OU is too talented and the Buffs just aren’t good enough to win three games in a row.
Buffs lose 20-7
@ Baylor
This may be considered a letdown by some, but remember that Baylor beat the Buffs last season at home. The Buffs will have their opportunities in this game, but I just have the sneaking suspicion that this one gets away.
Buffs lose 26-21
@ Kansas State
QB Josh Freeman had an excellent year last season when you consider he was a true freshman. Head Coach Ron Prince is in rebuilding mode much like Hawkins. Look for Freeman to outplay Cody Hawkins at QB and for the Wildcats to escape as Dan Hawkins continues to look for his first road win as the Buffs head coach.
Buffs lose 28-24
Kansas
The rebuilding plan hasn’t gone very well for Mark Mangino and the Jayhawks. CU will end a mini two-game slide here and get back in the win column. The offense will have a good day.
Buffs win 31-10
@ Texas Tech
CU handled that Tech spread offense pretty darn well last season, but a performance like that is hard to repeat. Look for Tech to get a little payback.
Buffs lose 20-17
Missouri
CU’s defense plays its finest game of the year against one of the conference’s best QB’s in Chase Daniel. The Buffs lost every close game they were in last year and they’ll win some of those this year.
Buffs win 13-10
@ Iowa State
Iowa State has a new coach after losing its QB. Sound familiar? The Buffs will hammer the Cyclones.
Buffs win 27-13
Nebraska
The Buffs will be competitive in this rivalry soon enough — just not quite soon enough for Buffs fans. Arizona State transfer Sam Keller will have a nice year playing in Bill Callahan’s wide-open offense
Buffs lose 24-13
So I’ve got it at 6-6. Not exactly what Buffs fans would like to see I’m sure, but it’s a four game improvement over this season’s 2-10. Hawkins is doing the things that need to be done to rebuild this program, but it’ll be hard to ask for much more in year two.
Margot Schneider
Staff Writer
Colorado State @ Invesco
Colorado will be ready to come out and really play football this year, although the rivalry will still make for a close game. I just can’t believe that a team with a quarterback who described their improved offense to The Coloradoan as “smashing the ball up in there” can beat this new CU team.
Buffs win 17-14
@ Arizona State
As great as the Buffs are compared to last year, they are still not to the point where they can beat a team like ASU, especially on the road. However, they will be able to put up a fight, which is more than I could previously say.
Buffs lose 21-10
Florida State
FSU is not in the usual Florida State condition. With a promising CU team, I think they can step up and take advantage of that, getting their big non-conference win.
Buffs win 20-13
Miami of Ohio
Miami had the same record as CU at the end of last season. After losing a number of seniors, whereas CU gained a number of freshmen, I’d like to believe CU has improved enough to beat them.
Buffs win 27-10
Oklahoma
Sure it’s homecoming, they lost Adrian Peterson, and after their spring game the Sooners may be considering a redshirt freshman for their starting quarterback, but let’s be realistic. At least CU will be in this game (and we can try to forget the 3-24 loss last year).
Buffs lose 15-10
@ Baylor
First road game victory. It will be tough, but CU is going to be comfortable enough at this point in the season with a solid lineup, some competitive games behind them, and well, maybe even a win or two. What’s one more, right?
Buffs win 14-7
@ Kansas State
CU may get one road win, but it’s pushing it to expect two in a row. Kansas State has an experienced quarterback (Josh Freeman), a successful spring season and the home-team advantage. That will prove to be too much for this Colorado team.
Buffs lose 20-24
Kansas
Kansas is in that awkward improvement stage that never fairs well for away games. CU however is now deep into a very successful season, at least in the eyes of returning Buff fans.
Buffs win 27-13
@ Texas Tech
Despite their returning quarterback, the team also lost a lot of key players. Losing members of a team that already lost to Colorado last year is a good sign for CU, and I’m calling road win number two.
Buffs win 27-17
Missouri
CU could not win three games last season, let alone three in a row. They may be better, but Missouri is just too solid a team to let them slip by.
Buffs lose 13-20
Nov. 10 at Iowa State
Win 21-7. Colorado’s last game of the season (with a chance to win). Don’t forget ISU’s new coach. They can put up a fight next year – we’ll take this one.
Nebraska
After a long season, CU gets to show off how much it has improved. It will be a good game, but as great as they have become, they are not at Nebraska level yet.
Buffs lose 21-29
The Buffs go 7-5. Optimistic, but this year I think they have it in them to take the games they deserve, and then step up and finish a close game or two.
