FanPost

Buffs 2009 schedule outlook by ESPN

A look at Colorado's 2009 schedule

February 16, 2009 9:45 AM

 

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

As I spent the last few days perusing each team's schedule, it gave me a good chance to look ahead at the 2009 Big 12 season.

Colorado coach Dan Hawkins is predicting his team can finish 10-2, considering his returning talent and schedule. Maybe he's seeing something I don't. I think the Buffaloes have a great shot at returning to a bowl after missing out last year, but a challenge for the North Division title might still be a little much with his current roster -- particularly at quarterback.

Here's how I see their schedule:

Nonconference schedule  

Sept. 5 Colorado State
Sept. 12 at Miami (Ohio)
Sept. 19 Wyoming
Oct. 1 at West Virginia

Thoughts: The Buffaloes need a fast start and should have a lot of pent-up emotion after how last season finished for them. They have dominated Colorado State recently and will get them at home, where the Rams haven't won since 1986. Miami will be more of a challenge, particularly with new coach Mike Haywood wanting a big signature victory in his first really big home game. Wyoming should be more manageable, even though Dave Christensen has had his way with the Colorado defense when he was the defensive coordinator at Missouri. And West Virginia will be a war -- particularly after the Buffaloes' dramatic overtime victory in Boulder last season.

Conference schedule

Oct. 10 at Texas
Oct. 17 Kansas
Oct. 24 at Kansas State
Oct. 31 Missouri
Nov. 7 Texas A&M
Nov. 14 at Iowa State
Nov. 19 at Oklahoma State
Nov. 27 Nebraska

Thoughts: Beating Texas is a pipe dream, but the Buffaloes' divisional hopes depend on a fast turnaround with five-straight winnable games against Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Texas A&M and Iowa State. The major reason the Buffaloes have fallen behind in the North pecking order in recent seasons is because they have struggled with a three-game losing streak to both Kansas and Missouri, including a 113-10 margin to the Tigers in the last two games. They need to be more competitive with both for any real hopes of a title. And it won't get any easier with a tough finish against Oklahoma State and Nebraska -- particularly if the Cornhuskers are playing for a North title at the end of the season.

But the Buffaloes do get a couple of breaks with how the schedule plays out. They have a couple of extra days of preparation before their game against Texas and an extra day before the Nebraska game. Little things sometimes help.

My best February guess: 7-5, 4-4 in Big 12 play.

 

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