Bruce Feldman of ESPN likes the Buffs. He has gone from mentioning OT Nate Solder as a workout warrior in one of his recent columns to now suggesting that Colorado will be one of the more improved teams in terms of wins this year:
Colorado (5-7): I'm not ready to go as far as coach Dan Hawkins did in December when he predicted 10 wins this season, but CU has a lot of impressive athletes on both sides of the ball. You would think the Buffs, who were 100th in the country in scoring last season, would be due for a major leap in production. (Wait, a Big 12 team was that far down in the country in scoring last season?!?) Special teams also need to make big improvements. The best news on the schedule front is they won't have to face Oklahoma, but they will have to go to Texas and Oklahoma State. They have a good chance to be favored in all six of their home games, although the season finale against Nebraska is very iffy. It should be noted that the home team has won the previous three meetings between the schools.
Baylor was also on the top ten list.
Tim Griffin of ESPN gives the Buffs some quarterback love...I mean some BACKUP quarterback love. Griffin ranks the Buffs first in regards to who has the best BACKUP quarterback in the Big 12. Considering we don't have a starter, that is probably a proper ranking:
1. Colorado: The conference's most fluid starting quarterback situation results in the Buffaloes having the top backup. With Cody Hawkins appearing to be nosing ahead at the end of spring practice, Tyler Hansen earns the nod because of his recent experience as a winning quarterback in the Big 12 -- even considering he is recovering from a broken thumb suffered in Colorado's spring game.
I had to pipe up over a recent post on the Nebraska SBNation blog, Corn Nation, last night. I think you will get as much of a kick out of it as I did, not necessarily about his opinions on the Buffs but the fact that the post thinks switching offenses and offensive coordinators is a "train wreck" (they think we should stick with the spread), our running backs are too small to be a success in a pro-style offense and well, just read it for yourself and see my comment. Don't flame or make worthless comments but I got a kick out of the football knowledge displayed and asked myself at least five times during the post whether this was a joke or not?
Greg Biggins, the west region recruiting analyst for ESPN, says the commitment of Colorado prep QB Austin Hinder should shake things up when it comes to quarterback recruiting. He mentions the Buffs as a team that will have to look elsewhere but like most of us, he doesn't know about a plan B right now.
The Omaha World Herald has an informative article talking about the current financial state of the Big 12 and the revenue sharing that goes on among the teams.
That latest jump of 10.3 percent (in year over year revenue growth to $103 million), however, couldn't move the Big 12 out of the middle of the pack in comparison with the five other Bowl Championship Series conferences.
The Big 12 still trails the Big Ten ($154.2 million), the Atlantic Coast ($137.6 million) and the Southeastern ($135 million) Conferences in revenue generated to share with members.
The University of Colorado received $8 of the $103 million, good for 10th overall in the conference. In a nut shell, here is how the Big 12's revenue sharing works:
In the Big 12, all money is shared except for that gained from television.
Half of the TV money is divided evenly. The other half goes into an appearance pool. Schools earn credits for football TV games and basketball nonconference TV games. Credits also are issued for NCAA basketball tournament appearances.
Texas received the largest payout of $10.2 million. The rich get richer.
You can come back to Colorado whenever you want Mr. Diante Jackson:
And finally on the (Oregon) wide receiver front. Before we get into all the hand wringing, blame games and everything else (and I'm sure we will), let's note that Oregon's wide receiver corps currently consists of: Maehl, Davis, Holland, Gaines, Cantu, Tuinei, Embry and Diante Jackson. And that's before you get to Nick Cole and Braxton Lane. Eight guys, plus two more possible if Lane opts for football over baseball this year.
I think I count 10 receivers. The Buffs current roster three scholarship guys plus a potential of three more, two true freshmen.