Offensive identity is certainly a problem. Pro Hawk supporters will tell you it is hard to drive the car with three flat tires. Youth and injuries are the main claim to the lack of success for the Buffs this year. Yes, a solid argument but since the Texas game the Buffs have had the same cast of players minus the running back. NYCSkibum and I have this beef every week that even 6 weeks after the Texas game that the Buffs still haven’t found one play, one defensive weakness, one formation that will work against the opposition on a consistent basis. It is very frustrating when every time the offense gets on the field, there is no confidence in them that they can score.

This year the Buffs schedule has been littered by horrible defenses, young defenses, slow defenses and the Buffs are on pace to have the worst offensive output they have ever had in Big 12 play since they joined the Big 12. Yes that includes the 2006 team. The Buffs need to score 56 points to average 20 points a game in the Big 12 which is what the 2006 team did. Yes the 2006 team that won two games and had Bernard Jackson at quarterback.

I think the argument between Hansen and Hawkins is argument that can go either way. Looking back on it, if the Buffs would have beat A&M, it was a red shirt well spent. It made Buffs bowl eligible and that was huge. As of right now, you can attribute one win to Hansen and a possible non bowl eligible team. Is it a wasted scholarship, thats a loaded question. Hopefully Clark Evans will make it a non point in the next couple of years. I dont think Hawkins played extremely bad last week, he has zero help on offense in terms of stretching the field and blocking. The offense is a mess and I wouldn’t put the entire blame on the QB position. I would say 15% on the QB, 60% on the coaching and the remaining portion of injuries and youth.

Don’t even talk to me about special teams…i called for the whole operation to be blown up (here)

All that being said, I want to see next year with Mr Hawkins. I still want to believe he is the guy. I want to see him coach his guys, not hurt, not too terribly green. I think he should have that opportunity. They definitely need to figure out special teams and start developing an offensive chemistry!

I think you still have to give Hawkins 2 years, this is a team that has been decimated by injuries, suspensions, guys quiting or getting booted, hard to build any identity when there is no consistency in players. Getting rid of him now would set the program too far back, we have to hope he can rebound next year on the field and recruiting to build some consistency. That being said, I still think we will win in Nebraska, I am somewhat confused at wasting Hansen redshirt, but Cody I think gives us the best chance of winning next week in Nebraska. If we do win, then I think you might as well start Hansen in the bwl game (if we get invited).

I think continuity is essential in building a college program. That said you obviously can’t let a guy go on forever without results but Hawkins isn’t yet to that point of futility in my opinion.

You do hit the nail on the head though as far as my biggest concern of offensive ineptitude. CU is bottom 3 of the conference from an offensive standpoint and while yes you can argue that that’s because this is the best offensive league in the country that wouldn’t appear to have anything to do with it considering CU is 94th in total offense and 106th in scoring offense. You also point out the lack of offensive identity and bouncing back and forth between the spread, I-From, running QBand throwing QB…you won’t get any argument from me on that point either.

What I would like to see CU accomplish next year is clearly first and foremost heal up…get all those key players back in playing shape and ready to take the field. Second establish an offensive identity, you’ve got the talent at running back and the size up front so let’s use it. Run to setup the pass, control the ball and put the ball in the endzone. Yes that’s going against the trend in the Big12 but maybe that can be a good thing.

The reality is the youth excuse is beginning to run thin and it is time for results but I think I’m with Broncoman on this one when I say as long as we see an improvement next year and not a total collapse we are still two years away from thinking about making a change at the head coaching spot.

and it’s good to see that for the most part everyone, while frustrated, is pretty reasonable.