Colorado Football Season Preview
The new-look Colorado Buffaloes come into the 2020 college football season with new faces and new challenges. After finishing last season at a disappointing 5-7, missing bowl eligibility by one game, the revamped Buffs look to change course this season led by Karl Dorrell, who is taking over as head coach for Mel Tucker after he departed for the same position at Michigan State. Dorrell is coming in from a stint in the National Football League, most recently coaching wide receivers for the Miami Dolphins, as Colorado will turn to his leadership to fill spots that have opened this offseason. Quarterback Steven Montez has graduated, meaning there will be a new face behind center this year in Tyler Lytle. The Buffs also saw wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., linebacker Davion Taylor and offensive lineman Arlington Hambright depart to the NFL. Programs all across the country have been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, dealing with quarantines and numerous schedule changes, but the Buffs have faced additional challenges with having a first-year coach attempting to lead a team during a heavily fluid situation. However, as unlikely as it seemed just one month ago, there will be football played at Folsom Field in 2020. The condensed six-game slate consists only of fellow PAC-12 opponents beginning November 7th against UCLA in Boulder.
Week 1: vs UCLA (Nov. 7)
The Buffs open the season at home against Coach Dorrell’s former team the Bruins. The Bruins were 4-8 last season but did defeat the Buffs in Week 9, 31-14. This game will be a major tone-setter for the season for Colorado as a new quarterback will start the season. UCLA is returning standout dual-threat quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, so look for the Buffs to need a strong showing from their defense in Week 1 to bring home the win. It may be a tall task to ask this team with all their new pieces to come into Week 1 and defeat an experienced group at UCLA.
Prediction: CU: 21 UCLA: 24
Week 2: @ Stanford (Nov. 14)
Week 2 marks a quick stop in Palo Alto for a matchup vs the Cardinal. Stanford underperformed last year as they went a disappointing 4-8. This is a program that recently was at the top of the college football world so expect the Cardinal to revamp and reload for the upcoming years. Stanford will return starting QB Davis Millis, which should provide early stability for the offense. It will be interesting to see if Stanford can return to their days of smashmouth run-oriented football, and incoming freshman E.J. Smith is a name to keep an eye on. Smith is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and could help get the Cardinal back to their physical form of football. To pull this one out the Buffs will have to win a gritty game much like last year when they squeaked out a 16-13 victory.
Prediction: CU: 17 Stanford: 13
Week 3: vs Arizona State (Nov. 21)
The Buffs return back home Week 3 to face the Herm Edwards-led Sun Devils. Arizona State had one of the better campaigns in 2019, going 8-5 and earning a berth in the Sun Bowl, where they beat Florida State. The Buffs have had the Sun Devils number recently, defeating their Pac-12 South foe three out of the last four years. Colorado’s defense will have to compete with a more mature Jayden Daniels, coming off a true freshman year at quarterback that only produced two interceptions. The good news is star wide receiver Brandon Aiuyk is now a member of the San Francisco 49ers, so the Buffs will not have to worry about his game-changing speed and size this year.
Prediction: CU: 31 ASU: 24
Week 4: @ USC (Nov. 28)
The Buffs head to Los Angeles to face the Trojans after suffering a heartbreaking loss in Boulder last fall. Colorado saw a 10 point lead disappear in the 4th quarter, as hopes of handing USC their first loss against the Buffs in series history was muffed. USC now sits as the preseason favorite to win the PAC-12, and the visitors will need a major effort on both sides of the ball to defeat this USC team.
Prediction: CU: 13 USC: 31
Week 5: @ Arizona (Dec. 5)
Buff fans will let out a collective sigh of relief when CU takes the field against the Wildcats this season, as QB Kalil Tate graduated after going an undefeated 3-0 against Colorado as a starter. Tate averaged 377 passing yards vs the Buffs in the past two matchups as well as a career game in 2017 where he ran wild, racking up 330 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. The Buffs at this point should be settled into the season and will look to hit a late-season groove. The experience of the defense with a new face behind center for the Wildcats should allow the Buffs to hang around in this one and have a shot to win in the end.
Prediction: CU: 24 UA: 23
Week 6: vs Utah (Dec. 11)
Colorado will close its regular season at home vs the Utah Utes. Utah has had Colorado’s number, with the Buffs winning only once in their last seven meetings. The Utes will return many of the same pieces on defense but offensively will have a new look. Losing QB Tyler Huntley and RB Zach Moss will provide for an interesting year for the Utes on that side of the ball. Unfortunately, the Buffs will not see Utah until Week 6, allowing the team to work out their kinks before arriving in Boulder. CU will need to save their best performance for last in order to take down the Utes, a task that has proved difficult.
Prediction: CU: 17 Utah: 31
Overview:
I predict the Buffaloes can manage a 3-3 record with the schedule they are presented this year. This would be a great start to Coach Dorrell’s tenure in Boulder and provide a base to build off of for the coming years. Expect the Buffs to have learning moments and growing pains early in the season, but I think Colorado has a real shot to finish at .500.
