Analyzing the Pac-12 Football Teams: Colorado Buffaloes
By Vince Senick
Continuing the Go Joe Bruin Pac-12 preview will be the Colorado Buffaloes. The Buffs are coming off a rough 2013 season that saw them win just four games and only one game in the Pac-12. They did beat their rival Colorado State in the season opener, so that was a good win, but besides for that it was a tough season to sit through for Buffalo fans. Colorado lost all conference wide receiver Paul Richardson to the NFL, but did find the QB of the future during the 2013 season. Let’s take a look at the 2014 Colorado Buffaloes.
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Key Losses
WR Paul Richardson
- 2013 All Pac-12 First team offense
- 2nd in the Pac-12, in 2013, with 83 receptions and 1,343 receiving yards, and finished 3rd with 10 receiving touchdowns
- Finished his career with 156 receptions, 2,412 receiving yards, and 21 tocuhdowns
- Drafted in the 2nd round by the Seattle Seahawks with the 45th overall pick
- Was 2nd in the Pac-12, and 3rd in the NCAA, with 5 forced fumbles
- Finished his career with 112 total tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, and 9 forced fumbles
- Signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent
Key Returners
- 2013 unanimous first team freshman All-American and honorable mention All Pac-12
- Finished 2nd in the conference in solo tackles with 71 and 3rd in total tackles with 107
- Finished his freshman campaign with 107 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks
- 2013 Honorable mention freshman All-American
- Finished his freshman season with a 59.4 completion percentage, 1,779 yards, and 12 touchdowns, in 8 games
- 2013 honorable mention freshman All-American and All Pac-12 offense
- Finished his freshman season with 103 rushing attempts for 535 yards and 6 touchdowns
Coach Review: Mike MacIntyre
Oct 26, 2013; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Mike Macintyre runs onto the field prior to the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach Mike MacIntyre heads into his second season with the Buffs coming off a 4-8 first season. MacIntyre does not have much to work with, but he has a reputation of rebuilding teams if given time. He took San Jose St. from a 1-11 team in 2010 to an 11-2 team in 2012. He has a young team with talent, so once these players become upper class men the Buffs could be a force. The arrow is pointing up for MacIntyre and the Buffs and given time should successfully rebuild this program.
2014 Schedule
Fri, Aug 29 @ Colorado State (FOX Sports 1)
Sat, Sep 6 @ Massachusetts (ESPN3)
Sat, Sept 13 vs Arizona State (ESPNU)
Sat, Sept 20 vs Hawai’i
Sat, Sep 27 @ California
Sat, Oct 4 vs Oregon State
Sat, Oct 18 @ USC
Sat, Oct 25 vs UCLA
Sat, Nov 1 vs Washington
Sat, Nov 8 @ Arizona
Sat, Nov 22 @ Oregon
Sat, Nov 29 vs Utah
2014 Season Outlook
The key word Buff fans need to know for the 2014 season is patience. This team still does not have the talent or depth to compete in the Pac-12, but this is another year these young guys get to play and learn and get better. Colorado’s schedule is a normal one in the Pac-12 season. They will face five preseason top 25 teams and get three of them at home, where they are always tough. If the Buffs can upset an opponent or two at home they may be able to reach a bowl game this season, but my guess is that 2015 is the year the rebuild is complete.